http://www.cherokeehistory.com/thomasle.html
By the summer of 1862, William H. Thomas (a state legislato r from Jackson Co, NC) had raised a regiment of five compan ies; three white and twoCherokee.
In addition, he formed a new battalion of twowhite companie s commanded by Captain William C. Walker. The people of thi s mountainous area were sometimes referred to as "highlande rs" and as such, the local citizenry began to refer to Thom as' units as the "Highland Rangers".
On September 27th, 1862 Thomas was elected Colonel of a no w designated regiment of mounted volunteers known officiall y as the "1st Regiment, Thomas Legion".
The other unit of "the Legion", William C. Walker's battali on held elections on Oct. 1st, 1862 and now comprised seve n (7) white companies; three (3) of cavalry and four (4) o f infantry in all, approximately seven hundred (700) men. I n April of 1863 another company of infantry, one company o f "miners and sappers" and a unit of artillery, known as "L evi's Light Battery" was added to Walker's battalion.
In late 1862, Confederate authorities ordered the three (3 ) cavalry companies of Walker's battalion to join two othe r Confederate regiments.
On September 8th, 1863, Jackson sent Walker's battalion wit h approximately two hundred (200) cavalry of the 1st regime nt under Major Stringfield in the direction of Telford's St ation. Their they ran into the 100th Ohio Regiment commande d by a Colonel Hayes. The union regiment was outnumbered an d after a short skirmish withdrew to a "blockhouse" at Lime stone Station for protection. After a quick review of the s ituation, Stringfield attacked the blockhouse. The fightin g was heavy and the advancing Confederates met "a shower o f Minie balls." The Federals realizing their hopeless situa tion surrendered. The three hundred and fourteen (314) pris oners were immediately placed in boxcars and sent to Richmo nd.

• Married: 7 Feb 1841
• Change Date: 24 Apr 2006

1. Josephine Walker b: Abt 1844 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
2. America M Walker b: Abt 1845 in , , North Carolina, USA
3. Columbus F Walker b: 19 Dec 1844 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
4. Mary N Walker b: Abt 1847 in , , North Carolina, USA
5. William C Walker b: Abt 1849 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
6. Augusta Walker b: Abt 1851 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
7. Monroe Walker b: Abt 1856 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
8. James Walker b: Abt 1858 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA
9. Ellen Walker b: Abt 1861 in , Cherokee, North Carolina, USA

1. Media: Web Site
   Abbrev: Walker-Pass Homepage
   Title: Ancestors of Douglas John PASS
   Author: Pass, Douglas J.
   Page: http://www.familyorigins.com/users/p/a/s/Douglas-J-Pass/FAM O5-0001/d238.htm#P601
   Quality: 3
   Text: William Clay WALKER was born on Aug 4 1820 in Ohio. He die d on Jan 3 1864 in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Willia m was a colonel in the Confederate army and was murdered a t his home...
2. Media: Census/Tax
   Abbrev: 1850 U. S. Census
   Title: Sixth U. S. Census: 1850
   Author: United States Federal Court: U. S. Marshal
   Publication: M432, 1009 Rolls
   National Archives and Records Administration
   Washington, D.C.
   Government Printing Office, 1908
   Note:
   The official enumeration day of the 1850 census was 1 Jun e 1850. All questions asked were supposed to refer to tha t date.
   Repository:
   Name: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Alaska Region
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-
   Seattle, Washington 98115-7999 USA
   Note:
   Monday through Friday, 7:45 A.M. to 4:15 P.M.; Tuesdaysunti l 8:00 P.M. (Microfilm research only); First Saturdayeach m onth, 9 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Microfilm research only);Close d weekends, except first Saturday each month, andFederal ho lidays.
   
   Page: NARA Roll: M432_625; p. 31
   Quality: 2
   Text: Cherokee County, North Carolina
   1 June 1850
   
   Dwelling #405
   William C. WALKER, age 30; Farmer; b. Tennessee
   Elmira, age 29; b. Tennessee
   Josephine, age 6; b. North Carolina
   America M, (f) age 5; b. North Carolina
   Columbus, age 4; b. North Carolina
   Mary N, age 3; b. North Carolina
   William C, age 1; b. North Carolina
   Jemsy? MONTGOMERY (f), age 23; b. North Carolina
   
   Dwelling #406
   Andrew J. BIGBY, age 33; Farmer; b. Tennessee
   
   Dwelling #407
   Mary WALKER, age 49; b. North Carolina
   Nancy E, age 14; b. North Carolina
   Lafayette, age 11; b. North Carolina
   Caroline, age 9; b. North Carolina
   Jesse COLE, age 73; b. North Carolina
3. Media: Census/Tax
   Abbrev: 1860 U. S. Census
   Title: Seventh U. S. Census: 1860
   Author: United States Federal Court: U. S. Marshal
   Publication: M653, 1438 Rolls
   National Archives and Records Administration
   Washington, D.C.
   Government Printing Office, 1908
   Repository:
   Name: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Alaska Region
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration-
   Seattle, Washington 98115-7999 USA
   Note:
   Monday through Friday, 7:45 A.M. to 4:15 P.M.; Tuesdaysunti l 8:00 P.M. (Microfilm research only); First Saturdayeach m onth, 9 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Microfilm research only);Close d weekends, except first Saturday each month, andFederal ho lidays.
   
   Page: NARA Roll: M653_892; p. 211A
   Quality: 2
   Text: Hot Haus, Cherokee, North Carolina (Wolf Creek PO)
   20 July 1860
   
   Dwelling #588
   William C. WALKER, age 39; Merchant; b. Anderson Co, Tennes see
   Elmira, age 41; b. Blunte Co, Tennessee
   Josephine, age 18; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
   Columbus, age 15; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
   William, age 11; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
   Augusta, age 9; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
   Monroe, age 4; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
   James, age 2; b. Cherokee Co, Tennessee
4. Media: Book
   Abbrev: Storm in the Mountains
   Title: Storm in the Mountains: Thomas' Confederate Legion of Chero kee Indians and Mountaineers
   Author: Crow, Vernon H.
   Page: pp. 55-56
   Quality: 4
   Text: CHAPTER VI
   "Why Cannot We Unite?"
   
   A pitch black night and a bitter cold wind greeted the ride rs but slowly the squad trotted forward, ducking branches , crossing streams and listening to the sounds of night i n Cherokee County. After what must have seemed like hours , the small party of horsemen reached a clearing and the ho me of one of the county's leading citizens. Inside Lieutena nt Colonel William C. Walker and his family lay sleeping.
   
   While collecting absentees in Cherokee, Walker was struck d own by his recurring illness. Placing Liertenant Robert Aki n in charge, he went home, which was four miles from camp . Shortly after his son, Columbus, arrived sick with Typhoi d fever. The younger Walker, a Sergeant in the Battalion, h ad spent several weeks in and out of hospitals in Virginia . He was finally furloughed home for a rest. Both he and hi s father were anxious to return to the command in East Tenn essee. "When I get so I can ride", William told his son, "a nd you get stout enough we will get up what men we can an d get out of here."
   
   The Walker family was not awakened by the horsemen immediat ely. One man dismounted and approached the house, banging o n the door. Such a nighttime disturbance was not unusual fo r Mrs. Walker. Her husband was the ranking Confederate offi cer in the county and there were several hundred men from t he Legion scattered throughout its boundaries. When she ope ned the door, however, Mrs. Walker knew instantly that thes e men were not 'Walker's boys'. She recognized at least on e uniform even in the blackness. The intruders demanded t o see Colonel Walker.
   
   The elder Walker arose from his sickbed and went to the ope n doorway but before another word passed between the partie s the stranger drew a pistol, firing point blank at Walker . The colonel collapsed into the arms of his wife. Columbus , who came to the door at the sound of the shot, was ordere d to get dressed. Not knowing whether his father was aliv e Columbus was forced to ride with the attackers who were U . S. soldiers in connection with a gang of "bushwhackers an d thieves." The young sergeant, still weak from the fever , was taxed beyond endurance. Eight miles from his home h e looked as though he was about to die and was turned loose . Fighting the elements and illness, Walker returned home . He found his father dead and his mother in a state of sho ck. On that awful night - January 3, 1864 - it became Colum bus' sorrowful task to bury his own father.