Joseph Knox Walker

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Joseph Knox Walker (July 19, 1818 – August 21, 1863) was an American politician and officer in the Confederate Army.

Colonel Joseph Knox Walker
Member of the Tennessee Senate
In office 1858?–1861?
Secretary to the President of the United States
In office March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
President	James K. Polk
Preceded by	Robert Tyler
Succeeded by	William Wallace Smith Bliss
Personal details
Born	Joseph Knox Walker July 19, 1818 Columbia, Tennessee
Died	August 21, 1863 (aged 45) Memphis, Tennessee
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Rank	Colonel

Walker was born on July 19, 1818, in Columbia, Tennessee. He was the son of James Walker, of Columbia, Tennessee, a nephew of President James K. Polk, and a brother of Lucius Marshall Walker. He graduated from Yale College in 1838.

In March 1845, he became Private Secretary of President Polk and the signer of land-warrants. In 1858, he was a member of the Tennessee Senate.

Soon after the beginning of the American Civil War, he entered the Confederate States Army and became colonel of the 2nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Exposure in camp at Columbus, Kentucky, and afterward in the vicinity of the Siege of Corinth and Battle of Shiloh, impaired his health so seriously that he resigned his command. The United States Army general commanding the department permitted him to return home to Memphis, Tennessee. There, his strength gradually declined until he died.

He died at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Wm. S. Pickett, on August 21, 1863, aged about 45 years.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.