Copyright © 1999-2009, Scott McKay
"Grandfather's only children were two adored sons - Stephen Decatur Walker and Sidney Sherman Walker. Stephen Decatur was so named for Admiral Stephen Decatur of the United States Navy, - as most Southerners are very patriotic, even to selecting names, but called "Deck" for short. He was tall like Grandfather - more than six feet - but dark of complexion, hair and eyes, like his Mother. Stephen Decatur Walker, Confederate Veteran of the Civil War, Cattle raiser, and owner of vast farm lands and town property. County Tax Assessor and Collector for many years up to the time of his death. Even to day, as you walk into the foyer of the Court House in Groesbeck, Texas, you will see a life portrait - very lovely done in oils - of Stephen Decatur Walker. Also, at the dedication ceremonies, of this new building, he and other leading citizens, placed personal possessions in the favorite meerschaum pipe. Obituary accounts of his death tell how beloved he was to his community. He also was the father of a large family - four girls and three sons.
I would like to relate here, that also portraits, in oils of Alonzo Steel - a great uncle - and Sam Houston adorn the court house walls along with grandfather's. It was Sam Houston's two sons, especially Mr. William or "Bill" Houston who was a close friend and frequent visitor to our home. Many is the time, when I was a little girl, that I would run down the side walk to mee him and my father coming home together, and he, Mr. William, would pick me up in his arms and carry me back to our house. On one occasion, it was my birthday, he brought me a most beautiful doll. I mention this because my Mother was always proud of his famous father, Sam Houston - noted Southern political leader, and on of Texas' most honored Heroes.
In the year 1861, at the age of 22 years, my father entered the Confederate Army as a Sergent. He served his beloved South for three years, being disabled from wounds. At the same time, a close friend of long standing, from his home town, was "Colonel" of his regiment. I was sometime after the close of the war, that this Colonel Loftus came to father and said, "Deck, I need a sum of money," - which father was happy to loan, he himself always being financially well of compared to his Colonel. However, the Colonel insisted, against father's protests, on leaving his treasured flashing saber and scabbard, used by him all thru the War, as security, and also an antique silver set. Years passed, and he never returned to redeem his pledge, so the sward still hangs on our wall, a relic of the Civil War, but little thought of by the present generation. As for the silver set, it's value was never appreciated, so it has long been discarded and forgotten with the many years that have passed in between.
Of the experiences my father Stephen Decatur incountered
during the Civil War, I will briefly mention one, where, in close combat
[Ed: at
Pickett's Mill], he was shot thru the
side of the face and right shoulder, severe scars he carried to his grave.
In this wounded condition, after long privations and suffering, he became very
ill, and lapsed into inconsciousness, where he lay on the battlefield, amongst
the dead, dying and wounded. Streacher bearers picked up the wounded first,
and then came back for the dead. The old four-wheel covered wagon was in use,
disposing of the dead, and my father was thrown into one of these wagons, an
attendant noticed yet a spark of life in his body. Now this particular man, in
charge of the dead wagon, lived in a very humble home just a few miles down the
road from this battle field, which they would soon pass on the way to their
destination. Stopping at the door, he removed my father into his own house,
requesting his good wife to do what she could to save his life. My father
said, thru them, he lived, and "owed a debt he never could pay." However, the
war was over, thru deep gratitude, my father brot these poor people to live in a
comfortable house on one of his own farms, rent free, and personal financial aid
when and where ever he could give it, as long as my father lived. All knew
this kind, generous, Stephen Decatur Walker, felt his debt was more than
faithfully fullfilled."
Notes
4Sgt. Stephen D. Walker - Age 20 upon enlistment as Pvt. with Co. B, 10th Texas Infantry, at Virginia Point, Galveston, Texas, on November 7, 1861. Born in Brazos County, Texas; he was a student living on his father's farm at Springfield, Limestone County, Texas. He was appointed 4Cpl. on September 15, 1862; then promoted to 3Cpl. on November 1, 1862.
4Sgt. Walker was captured at Arkansas Post, Arkansas, on January 11, 1863. He arrived at Camp Douglas Prison on January 29th, and was paroled there for exchange on April 1, 1863. Walker was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, six days later. He was promoted to 4Sgt. on March 15, 1864.
4Sgt. Walker was severely wounded at Pickett's Mill, Georgia, on May 27, 1864, according to the Casualty List of Granbury's Brigade, published in the Memphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Georgia), June 4, 1864. That was 4Sgt. Walker's last available military information.
Walker descendant Wynne Fidler (contributor of the above
reminiscence) further stated that Stephen D. Walker died on December 13, 1891
and was buried in the Faulkenberry Cemetery of Grosebeck, Limestone County,
Texas.
Copyright © 1999-2009, Scott McKay