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CAPTAIN SAMUEL H. WALKER.

APTAIN WALKER entered the American service with a reputation early established by his services in the cause of the gallant state of Texas. A native of Maryland, he left his residence in Washington city to serve in the Creek

war, after which he passed a campaign against the Indians in Florida, and was for awhile superintendent of a railroad. In 1842 he emigrated to Texas and served in her operations against Mexico with honour. He was one of Colonel Fisher's company of three hundred men in the famous Mier expedition. He was captured while on a scout before the Texan army reached that place, and after his comrades were defeated, they were all marched together to Matamoras, thence to Perote castle, on their way to the capital. As they proceeded, their

Escapes from Perote.

treatment became daily more and more cruel, and at Salado they determined to revolt and escape. Headed by Walker and Cameron, a Scotchman, each of whom seized and overpowered one of the sentinels, at the inner door of the prison yard, they rushed into the outer court where a hundred and fifty Mexican infantry were guarding the arms and cartridge boxes. These were soon driven out, and the Texans armed themselves while the Mexican cavalry and infantry formed at the gate. The brave band of prisoners charged through them, killing ten, wounding more of them, losing ten of their own men, five killed and five wounded. They escaped but lost their way, became involved in the mountains by false information, starved almost to death, and were finally recaptured. They were taken to Salado, where Santa Anna ordered every tenth man to be shot. Among those thus murdered was the gallant Scotchman, Cameron. Walker afterwards made his escape from Tacubaya, Santa Anna's residence, and after suffering hardships enough to have killed almost any one else, he arrived safe at New Orleans. In one month he returned to Texas, and served in Hays's command, until General Taylor went to the Rio Grande, when he went thither to offer the services of Captain Gillespie's company in which he was a private. He found there some thirty of the old Rangers who had followed the army from Corpus Christi, in hopes to see a little 'fun,' and they urged him to form a company. General Taylor gave him permission to do so, after the murder of Colonel Cross, and the company of Texas Rangers was speedily organized. The services of this brave band are too well known and appreciated to require recounting here. There are

His death.

few officers in the army who possess a greater share of popular affection than Captain Walker enjoyed, and his recent death at Huamantla cast a feeling of sorrow over the whole country. General Lane says in his official account of the battle :-"This victory is saddened by the loss of one of the most chivalric, noble-hearted men that graced the profession of arms-Captain Samuel H. Walker of the mounted riflemen. Foremost in the advance, he had routed the enemy when he fell mortally wounded. In his death the service has met with a loss which cannot be repaired."

In the same battle, Surgeon Lamar was at the side of Captain Walker when the charge was made, and was saved by the devoted act of Walker's slave David, who caught at the lance aimed at him and received it himself. He died in a few minutes, as he probably would have wished, after the death of his master. In death as in life, they were together.

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