Major William Martin Buck Walton Plaque

The Major William Martin “Buck” Walton Plaque stands tall amidst the quiet beauty of Oakwood Cemetery. It is a testament to a life well-lived, filled with both trials and triumphs. It commemorates a man who was a lawyer, Confederate soldier, and politician. Major Walton’s life was shaped by his roots in the Mississippi Delta and his later arrival in Austin, Texas. He arrived in the city in 1853 at the tender age of 21 and built a successful legal career, forming a partnership with Andrew J. Hamilton, who later became the Governor of Texas.
But the call of duty soon came. The Civil War erupted, and Major Walton chose to fight, becoming a private secretary to Governor Francis Lubbock for the first year of the war. He felt a profound sense of responsibility to be a part of the cause. In 1862, he enlisted as a private in Captain William Rust’s Company B of Colonel George Washington Carter’s Twenty-first Texas Cavalry, quickly rising through the ranks. His service was marked by his bravery and leadership, especially during the Trans-Mississippi theater of the war. His later promotion to Major and work on the staff of Lieutenant General Theophilus Hunter Holmes were a testament to his skills. A lesser known fact, he commanded the vanguard of Major General John S. Marmaduke’s Cape Girardeau raid, a daring operation that tested his military mettle.
Despite his military service, Major Walton was also known for his legal abilities. After the war, he was elected Attorney General of Texas, a position he held for a time before being removed by the US officials. But he returned to law, building a thriving practice and becoming widely respected in the state. Later in his career, Major Walton became one of the most famous criminal defense lawyers in Texas. He spent much of his last days compiling his memoirs, reminiscing about the life he led. Major Walton breathed his last in his beloved Austin on July 1, 1915.
Today, Major Walton’s story is etched into history through this plaque, a tribute to a man who navigated the challenges of his time with courage and dignity. Take a moment to reflect on his life, and remember the powerful legacy of a man who served his country and his state with honor and distinction.