John C. Walker was a physician and prominent

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

political figure in

Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Mari ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. In 1861, he was commissioned

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

in command of the

35th Indiana Infantry Regiment The 35th Indiana Infantry Regiment, also known as 1st Irish Regiment as it was mainly made up of Irish-Americans, was a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service *Organized December 11, 1861 *Battle of Stones River *Battle of ...

("First Irish"). Disagreements with his superiors, including Governor Morton, led to his removal from command and the issuance of an order for his arrest. He was returned to Indiana on an excuse of medical infirmity. He later participated in

Copperhead Copperhead may refer to: Snakes * ''Agkistrodon contortrix'', or copperhead, a venomous pit viper species found in parts of North America * '' Austrelaps'', or Australian copperhead, a genus of venomous elapids found in southern Australia and Ta ...

activity in Indiana, the discovery of which forced him to flee to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

for the duration of the war. He returned after hostilities had ceased and resumed practice as a physician.

References

Griffin, T. K. 1992. The 1st Irish, 35th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 1861-1865 : a military, political and social history. Thesis, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana. Year of birth missing Year of death missing People of Indiana in the American Civil War Indiana Democrats Union Army colonels {{Indiana-politician-stub