Walker attended Randolph-Macon College from 1859 to 1861. He served in Co. B of Mosby's Partisan Rangers, later known as Co. B of the 43rd Battalion VA Cavalry . He was wounded near Mount Zion, VA, on July 6, 1864. Walker was promoted to captain on February 9, 1865, with a letter of support from Colonel Mosby commending his valor and skill.
Walker is mentioned in James J. Williamson's 1896 book, "Mosby's Rangers." Williamson writes that,
Walker is mentioned in James J. Williamson's 1896 book, "Mosby's Rangers." Williamson writes that,
"One part of 100 (Twenty-first New York) came to Upperville before daylight, from which place they send a detachment to the house of Jesse Richards (father of Major Richards) and surrounded it. There were in the house at the time Major Richards, Capt. Robert S. Walker and private John Hipkins. Hearing a rap at the door, Captain Walker got up and was about to open it, when one of the Federal soldiers growing impatient, thundered away at the door with the butt of his carbine. Walker immediately went back and he and the others hid themselves. Upon forcing open the door, the Federals struck a light and searched the house, but did not succeed in finding Richards or his companions, thought they got most of their clothes. They ransacked the drawer and closet in the house, taking silverware and everything they pleased."*
Robert S. Walker survived the war and in 1889 founded Woodberry Forest School, a private male boarding school still in existence, near Orange, VA. He had resided at Woodberry Forest since the early 1870s. He died March 14, 1914 and is buried in Graham Cemetery in Orange, VA.
Robert S. Walker survived the war and in 1889 founded Woodberry Forest School, a private male boarding school still in existence, near Orange, VA. He had resided at Woodberry Forest since the early 1870s. He died March 14, 1914 and is buried in Graham Cemetery in Orange, VA.
*Williamson, James J. Mosby's Rangers. New York: Ralph B. Kenyon, Publisher, 1896.
Robert S. Walker was the youngest captain in Mosby's Rangers. He started Woodberry Forest as a place where his sons could be educated in post-Civil War Virginia. Woodberry Forest land had been owned by James Madison's brother, William Madison, who had the adjacent property.
ReplyDeletePost War Between the States, John Mosby visited Capt. Robert Walker at Woodberry Forest. Letters written by Col. Mosby to Mr. Walker can be found in the Woodberry Forest library.
ReplyDeleteJMT, WFS'65