Overview

Samuel H. Walker was an apprentice carpenter in Washington, DC, when the second Seminole War broke out in 1838, he enlisted in a Washington militia unit and went to Florida. Upon the expiration of the unit's service, Walker remained in service as a scout for the U.S. Army. At the conclusion of hostilities, Walker was employed by then Capt. George G. Meade, USA, in the construction of the railroad from Mobile to Pensacola. Upon the completion of his labors, he removed to Texas where he became a member of the Texas Rangers. He joined the ill-fated Mier Expedition in 1842 and was imprisoned by the Mexican authorities for two years, during which time he developed an intense hatred for his captors. Upon his release, he returned to Texas and re-joined the Texas Rangers. When war broke between the United States and Mexico in 1846, Walker joined a volunteer regiment of Texans known as the Texas Mounted Riflemen. He was subsequently elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment. Prior to the expiration the regiment's service, Walker was tendered a commission as captain, U.S Mounted Rifles, which he accepted on condition that he would not enter U.S. service until his obligation to the State of Texas was completed. His term of service finished, he entered the U.S. Army and journeyed north to recruit his company. During this time, he met Samuel Colt. His discussions with Colt resulted in the Walker Colt pistol. His company filled, Walker returned to Mexico and the scene of battle. He led a furious charge against the remnants of the Mexican dictator Santa Ana's army in which he was mortally wounded by a Mexican sniper. Based upon material from the National Archives, Texas State Library, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and other sources, and including copies of his letters-he was a well-educated man and wrote extremely descriptive accounts of his experiences-this is the first in-depth biography of Walker. AUTHORS: David M. Sullivan is the editor or author of several publications, including the four-volume The United States Marine Corps in the Civil War, recipient of the 2003 Brigadier General O. P. Smith award present by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He is the administrator of the Company of Military Historians and editor of its journal. He is also the president of the International Naval Research Organization and editor of its journal. James Worsham served in the US Army Reserve for seven years. He took an MA in History and an MA in Journalise from the University of Alabama. He taught history and journalism for over twenty years, most recently at Bluefield State and Bluefield College, West Virginia. He published a number of articles and lectured widely on historical topics, including Samuel Walker. He died in 2024. 150 photographs and illustrations

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9781636245386

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Reviews

""The 506-page book is a welcome work, as it represents the first in-depth biography of Walker and makes extensive use of a rich body of archival sources, including Walker's personal letters... a must-read for historical arms aficionados.""-- ""American Rifleman"" ""Sullivan and Worsham have delivered a richly sourced biography of Samuel H. Walker, best known for working with inventor Samuel Colt to develop the renowned ""Walker Colt"" revolver. This detailed work profiles the arc of Walker's life, focusing on his role as a Texas Ranger in fighting the Comanche and in the Mexican-American War, and his close collaboration in developing the Walker Colt. A must-read for those interested in the history of Texas and the famed firearm.""--Gary McQuarrie, Managing Editor, Civil War Navy--The Magazine ""David M. Sullivan's many contributions to American military history are remarkable for his meticulous research and instincts for a good story. Dave does it again, with co-author James Worsham, in this engaging read of a larger-than-life figure whose impact on the history of Texas and the United States is profound and enduring.""--Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher, Military Images magazine ""Sullivan's and Worsham's scholarly research is supported by numerous endnotes which identify their sources and share further insights. Fully indexed, The Life of Samuel H. Walker is highly readable book that waited over a century after Walker's death to be written. It deserves a place on the shelves of university libraries, schools, historians and firearms enthusiasts. It will be no surprise when this authoritative book is cited by future articles and books.""--Gary Yee, author of Sharpshooters 1750-1900: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story and World War II Snipers: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story

""Sullivan and Worsham have delivered a richly sourced biography of Samuel H. Walker, best known for working with inventor Samuel Colt to develop the renowned ""Walker Colt"" revolver. This detailed work profiles the arc of Walker's life, focusing on his role as a Texas Ranger in fighting the Comanche and in the Mexican-American War, and his close collaboration in developing the Walker Colt. A must-read for those interested in the history of Texas and the famed firearm.""--Gary McQuarrie, Managing Editor, Civil War Navy--The Magazine ""David M. Sullivan's many contributions to American military history are remarkable for his meticulous research and instincts for a good story. Dave does it again, with co-author James Worsham, in this engaging read of a larger-than-life figure whose impact on the history of Texas and the United States is profound and enduring.""--Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher, Military Images magazine ""Sullivan's and Worsham's scholarly research is supported by numerous endnotes which identify their sources and share further insights. Fully indexed, The Life of Samuel H. Walker is highly readable book that waited over a century after Walker's death to be written. It deserves a place on the shelves of university libraries, schools, historians and firearms enthusiasts. It will be no surprise when this authoritative book is cited by future articles and books.""--Gary Yee, author of Sharpshooters 1750-1900: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story and World War II Snipers: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story

Author Information

David M. Sullivan is the editor or author of several publications, including the four-volume The United States Marine Corps in the Civil War, recipient of the 2003 Brigadier General O. P. Smith award present by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He is the administrator of the Company of Military Historians and editor of its journal. He is also the president of the International Naval Research Organization and editor of its journal.  James Worsham served in the US Army Reserve for seven years. He took an MA in History and an MA in Journalise from the University of Alabama. He taught history and journalism for over twenty years, most recently at Bluefield State and Bluefield College, West Virginia. He published a number of articles and lectured widely on historical topics, including Samuel Walker. He died in 2024. 

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