Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/645

Rh Philip Clayton, of Georgia, assistant secretary of the treasury, was born in Athens, Georgia, March 19, 1815, the son of Judge Augustus L. Clayton, an eminent jurist and statesman. He was educated for the profession of law, in which he speedily won substantial honors, also evincing a talent for public affairs which led to important service in the United States government. For twelve years, in the ante-bellum period, he held the office of second auditor of the United States treasury, and for four years, during the administration of President Buchanan, he served as assistant secretary of the treasury under Secretary Howell Cobb. This position he resigned upon the secession of Georgia in January, 1861, and cast his lot with his native State and the Confederacy. Under the first secretary of the treasury, C. G. Memminger, Mr. Clayton was appointed to the same position which he held under the Federal government, assistant secretary, a position in which his long experience made him invaluable. After the war he acted for several years as teller of the savings bank at Augusta, Georgia. During the administration of General Grant, through the influence of Hon. A. H. Stephens, he was appointed United States consul to Callao, Peru, a position he filled with distinguished honor for three years, until he fell a victim to yellow fever. He died March 22, 1877, and was buried in the English cemetery, Belle Vista, between Callao and Lima.

Leroy Pope Walker, the first war secretary, was born near Huntsville, Alabama, July 28, 1817, the son of the distinguished John William Walker, who presided over the convention which framed the constitution of the State. He was admitted to the bar in 1838, was elected brigadier-general of Alabama militia, and in 1843 was elected to the legislature by Lawrence county. In 1847 he represented Lauderdale county, and was chosen speaker of the House that year and in 1849. At the first election of judges by the people, in 1850, he was chosen judge of