The Filibuster King William Walker

Filibuster as used in a military sense. William Walker didn’t spend his time talking to obstruct a vote. No, he invaded countries and tried to take them over! Not once, or twice but three, three times.

Not bad for someone who died at the tender age of 36.

Early Beginnings

William Walker seemed a man in a hurry to live life. He was born in 1824, in Nashville, Texas. He studied Law at the University of Nashville and graduated at the age of 14. By 19 he had his medical degree in the bag too.

In 1849, at the age of 25, he moved to San Francisco to become editor of the San Francisco Herald.

During his time as editor he fought 3 duels. One of which nearly killed him when his opponent shot him twice in his legs. Newspapers all over the land reported on it. It would be an early brush with national notoriety.

Filibuster King William Walker invades Mexico

In 1853, still in his twenties, William and a small force invaded the Mexican territory of Baja California. They landed at La Paz and proclaimed the area as an independent republic. With William as the President of course.

He then adopted the laws of Louisiana, making slavery legal. Although William had not captured the area of Sonora, he soon proclaimed it as part of his republic. Due to lack of supplies and strong opposition from the Mexican Government, retreat became inevitable.

The invading force was back in the US by 1854. William stood trial for masterminding an illegal war, but was quickly acquitted.

Thoughts turn to Nicaragua

While back in the US, a civil war broke out in Nicaragua. Walkers support was sought by the Democratic party president, Francisco Castellon.

With 60 mercenaries, 110 local troops and a gaggle of explorers and journalists, Walker attacked the Legitimists in Rivas. There they were driven back but not without inflicting severe casualties.

On September 3rd, 1855, William Walker and his army defeated the Legitimists. He had control of the country. At first he had to rule through a puppet president, Patricio Rivas. That only lasted until May 20th 1856 when US President Franklin Pierce gave legitimacy to Walkers regime. From July 12 1856 to May 1st 1857, Walker ruled as the President of the Republic of Nicaragua. The election to place him as President was rigged, but those details didn’t trouble William. Power was after all, power. No matter how it was acquired.

Again, the first thing he did is make slavery legal.

He then set about Americanising the country. Instituting policies to encourage immigration from the southern states of the US and making English the official language.

Fearing Walkers influence and future ambitions, troops from Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and others fought back.

On the 14th of December, 1856, Granada, the city William Walker used as his base of power, was surrounded. As Walkers men retreated, they levelled the city, burning the historic city to the ground. Such was the level of destruction, it took over two weeks to accomplish.

Walker surrendered to the commander of the United States Navy on May 1st 1857. He did this to escape the wrath of the Central American armies. Returning home once again, he was greeted as a hero.

1860 Invasion and Execution

Still not satisfied, William tried again in 1860 to filibuster a group of islands. British colonists in the Bay Islands were afraid that the Government of Honduras would try to take them over, so asked William for help in establishing an English speaking Government over the Islands.

William journeyed to Trujillo, a port city on the northern shores of Honduras. Here his luck ran out.

Captured by the British Navy, William was regarded as a threat to the area. The British Government controlled much of the area and had no intention of letting William destabilise the area.

He was therefore handed over to the Honduran authorities, who sentenced him to death. On September the 12th, 1860, William Walker was executed by firing squad.

His grave is still in the Old Trujillo Cemetery in Trujillo, Honduras. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t really stand out. An ignoble end to a man who wanted to be King.