Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Amasa Walker to Lucy Stoughton, June 5, 1864

Camp, June 5, [1864]

Yon have probably seen in the papers that my dear and only brother was killed at Newmarket. He fell at the head of his company and in advance of the general line, while charging the enemy. My family are heartbroken. God pity & sustain them.

He was a gallant, generous, affectionate fellow, and nothing in this world can ever make up his loss.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 95

Amasa Walker to Exene Stoughton, June 5, 1864

North Brookfield, June 8, 1864

My Dear Miss Stouohton:

We have not heard from our son, Lt. Col. Walker, since the 25th and are very anxious about him. Supposing it is probable that you may have had more recent information from him, I write to ask that you will let us know how lately you have heard from him and how he was.

You have doubtless heard that our son Robert was killed at the battle of Newmarket last month.

Very sincerely yours,

Amasa Walker.

Miss Exene Stouohton,

Monticello, N. Y.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 95

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Amasa Walker to Lucy Stoughton, April 18, 1864

I hope you are very well at the Falls and I wish I were there myself. The fact is I feel that it is just about time for me to be going home again, and the only trouble is that my immediate commanders don't see it in that light. It would be very nice indeed to be in some civilized place again after three months of the utter barbarism of camp life in Virginia.

I suppose we shall begin our campaign in a week or two, and then you will find the newspapers interesting. Something will break before we give up in this trial for Richmond.

A great Review of the 6th Corps to-day — but the great Review is yet to come, of course I mean the review of the 2nd. I wish dear Lucy you could be here to see it, over twenty thousand veterans all on one field with music and banners and cannon and two thousand horsemen. My! it is quite grand even for an old soldier to see.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 69

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Amasa Walker to Lucy Stoughton, November 12, 1863

Headquarters 2nd Corps

Nov. 12, 1863.

I learned through E—— that you desired the Autograph of our present Commander so I find great pleasure in offering you this one, and I enclose several of our real Commander, Maj. Gen. Hancock, one of the most brilliant Generals of the army. I send besides a few I happen to have on hand, only regretting that I have not taken pains to collect them since I have been in the Adjutant General's Department.

I wish I could send you the autograph of the 2nd Corps! but it makes its mark, it does not write. It makes its mark with the sword and the letters are in blood.

Excuse the digression.

We aren't doing much just now, but hope in a few days to satisfy the public taste with our usual Fall Spectacle — forty per cent of us knocked over.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 67-8

Dates of Rank for Brevet Brigadier-General Francis Amasa Walker

• August to September, 1861—Sergeant-major, 15th Mass. Vols.
• September 14,1861, to August 10,1862, Captain and Asst. Adjutant General, U. S. V.
• August 11 to December 31, 1862—Major and Asst. Adjutant General, U. S. V.
• January 1, 1863, to January 12, 1865—Lieut. Colonel, Asst. Adjutant General, U. S. V. Headquarters Second Army Corps.
• August, 1864—Brevet Colonel, U. S. V.
• March 13, 1865—Brevet Brigadier General, U. S. V.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 38

Francis Amasa Walker to William Schouler, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, May 31, 1861

. . . I believe I should make a reasonably good lieutenant; at any rate, I should like to try it, south of Mason and Dixon's Line.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 32

Francis Amasa Walker to Governor John Andrew, May 31, 1861

I should be much gratified to receive a commission in one of the companies to be organized for the war, if it might consist with your duty to the service. I cannot assure myself that I am peculiarly qualified for military rank, to which I have had but little inclination; yet I am confident of a mind willing to perform any office through the length and breadth of it.

I have had some instruction in company movements under well-appointed soldiers, and my general education will, I trust, be found sufficient to any probable demand in such position. I beg you, however, not to believe that I make a Commission the condition of my service for I hold myself ready for the humblest and hardest work in the sacred cause.

I have the honor to be

Your Excellency's Obdt. Servt.,

Francis Amasa Walker.

SOURCE: James Phinney Munroe, A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, p. 31-2

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Sunday, August 28, 1864

Quiet, pleasant day. I live comparatively well here, and am quite comfortable. More prisoners come in to-day. Lieutenant-colonel Walker, Hancock's Assistant Adjutant-general, brought in recaptured, taken first at Reams Station; got within thirty yards of our pickets on James, which he swam. Tells me Macy is badly hurt. I dreamt it a week ago. Patten lost a leg. Walker was dressed in rags and filth, but how undisguisable the gentleman is. I was very much taken with him. He knew me, but I had never seen him. Roast mutton for dinner. I am treated with marked consideration just now for some reason or other. The surgeon marked for me good diet.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 131-2