Samuel Walker spent his entire adult life pursuing one war after another.

IN SEPTEMBER 1842, after first stepping foot in Galveston, Texas, 25-year-old Samuel Walker joined Jesse Billingsley's Company of Mounted Volunteers. A hastilyrecruited Bastrop County militia command, Billingsley's Volunteers went to the defense of San Antonio, under attack by a force of some 1,000 Mexican troops under the command of General Adrian Woll.

One of the most famous Texas Rangers in the force's history: Capt.

Samuel H. Walker.

Courtesy Heritage Auctions

CAPTAIN SAMUEL HAMILTON WALKER, TEXAS MOUNTED RIFLES

Born: February 24, 1817, Prince Georges County, Maryland. Fifth of seven children.

Parents: Nathan and Elizabeth Walker.

Former Occupation: Carpenter, railroad worker.

Military Record: Washington City Volunteers (1817-1836). Organized for engagement in the Seminole and Creek Indian Wars in Florida and Alabama.

Arrival in Texas: January 1842.

Jesse Billingsley had previously commanded Company B of Colonel Edward Burleson’s regiment, and was wounded at the celebrated Battle of San Jacinto. But Billingsley’s Volunteers was not the only Texas militia group racing toward San Antonio. On September 18, some 200 volunteers and a small band of Texas Rangers engaged elements of Woll’s army at the Battle of Saldado Creek. Although Samuel Walker missed the fight, the Texas forces celebrated a small victory. That, along with the approach of more Texas militia, forced General Woll to retreat from San Antonio, across the Rio Grande.