Lt. Col. William Walker is listed on the first Winn Parish Census, 1860,
as age 28, born in Alabama. Walker was the second Sheriff of Winn
Parish, serving only a short time prior to enlisting in Confederate
Service. He was elected as an officer in the 28th LA Infantry. It is
not known exactly when, but Walker married Rosanna McCreight (pronounced
McWright) and they had children. A mystery exists as to Col. Walker's
place of burial following his death at the Battle of Mansfield. Reports
are found that he was taken to the home of a relative at Mansfield where
he died the following day. Other reports lead one to believe he died on
the battlefield. According to Mansfield Commemorative Park personnel,
it is believed Walker was buried at Mansfield Cemetery the day following
the battle, his body disinterred a short while later, and removed to a
family plot for reinterrment. If this be the case, he is probably
buried beside his wife at the McDonald Cemetery, Rochester Community,
just west of Jonesboro, Jackson Parish, LA. Mrs. Walker was a relative
of the McDonald and Stinson families, prominent in early northwest Winn
and south Jackson Parishes. Another note of interest, both parishes
were full of Walkers during the era. A "headstoneless plot" exists at
the McDonald Cemetery beside Mrs. Walker and between her grave and that
of a young lady who appears to have been Colonel and Mrs. Walker's
daughter. This also lends credence to his being buried there. Another
sad mystery is that the Lt. Col. William Walker Chapter, United
Daughters of the Confederacy, was awarded the Colonel's sword in the
early 1900s, but to this day efforts to locate this priceless piece of
history have been futile.
Col. Walker was an early Winn Parish leader, politically and
fraternally, serving not only as Sheriff, but as Worshipful Master of
Eastern Star Masonic Lodge, Winnfield, and aided in organizing
Montgomery Masonic Lodge, in what was then south Winn Parish. He also
served as District Deputy Grand Master of Masons, a very high Masonic
honor.
The Colonel's military record, like many others, is very scant. A
search of the National Archives Compiled Service Record and Booth's
Record yields little. But, he is referred to gallantly in many accounts
of the Battle of Mansfield, falling in the charge at about the same time
as did General Mouton. The Colonel's record of political, fraternal,
and military leadership led to the Winn Parish Camp choosing his
namesake.
Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, Louisiana.
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