By: Rachel Phillips

Walter T. Gatewood Biography

The Biography

Walter T. Gatewood severed in the civil war between 1861-1864 , when he died in battle , this is a biography of his life during his service in the civil war.

Walter was 23 years old when he enlisted into the Military, to fight for the Confederate States of America, on the 7th of July 1861. He was thought to have been a farm laborer prior to joining the Military, and had 4 siblings, all of which were brothers. His father , James Beavers Gatewood born on the 17th of June 1811 , and mother, Frances A.E. Lipscomb born in 1817, were married in 1833.

Walter had to attend many musters, which means to gather with fellow soldiers. He attended his first muster on July 7,1861 in Laurel Hill VA. The next muster he was supposed to attend was on February 16, 1862 , and it was reported that he was on sick leave. He was also absent for the next muster in may 1862, and he was reported missing. He attended one on July 7, 1863, one for November and December in 1863 , and one for July and August 1864 but was reported missing. Walter died from wounds as a result of the battle in Washington D.C in may of 1864, in the battle of Fort Stevens, June 11-12.

The Battle of Fort Stevens was fought in northwest Washington D.C. as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 between forces under Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early and Union Major General Alexander McDowell McCook. This battle is known for the presence of Abe Lincoln watching the battle , Confederate forces soon realized that there advances were not getting them anywhere, and retreated.

Sources Cited

Soldier's service record: https://www.fold3.com/browse/271/hAoZO-WDbkWEt5UogsvX_R0NmKXEr2C8-
Family Info: http://person.ancestryclassroom.com/tree/7623613/person/25338630669/story
Battle Info: http://www.civilwar.org/search/?search=battle%20of%20fort%20stevens#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=battle%20of%20fort%20stevens&gsc.page=1

Walter Gatewood