The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-20

How Missouris Governor Fought DneI
with and Killed General Walker.

with and Killed General Walker.
Austin tTexas) Letter.
The Marmaduke- Rainwater controversy has
reached this section, and as the two are
wellknown here, the matter has, of course, at
tracted wide attention and much gossip. Espc-
clay Is this the case among the members Of the
Legislature, many of whom are we'll acquainted
with the two men, Marmaduke has the reputation
here OF being man of unfiinchirg nerve, and
those who read the letter over Major Rainwaters
signature were willing to bet dollars to dimes
that the cost OF it would be his life even though
Marmaduke holds the position Of Governor.
There are those too, who remember Major Rain
water, and assert that no Drawer man ever
shouldered q gun, and that if they should face
eacn other the Governor would find in Rain
water an adversary who was as much stranger
to fear as himself, and who would be his equal
with almost any deadly weapon. The trouble
has also brought to mind the meeting between
General Marsh Walker and Marmaduke, in Sep
TENDER, 1863 when those two gentlemen were
leaders in the army of the Southern Confeder-
acy. General Walker was from Memphis a
soldier of magnificent bearing, and universally
esteemed by the officers and soldiers of his
command He was about six feet in height.
and as fine specimen of physical manhood
as could be found among those who wore tho
gray.
When Walkers corps reached Little Rock,
Marmadukes command was found there, and, as
Marmaduke and Walker were officers Of the
same rank some dispute as to who should
maduke refusing to waive mis- right to the posi-
ton, and Walker refusing to recognize him as
his superior officer. There is member of the
House here at present who was in the rank and
file of Walkers command and who had been
made sort of aide-de camp before the arrival
at Little Rock, but who did not retain that posi-
ton after the arrival of the forces there Still,
he had access to the headquarters of General
Walker and frequently heard him express his re-
greet at the misunderstanding between Marina
duke and himself and the hope that the trouble
would soon be over and pleasant relations re-
stored once more. While Marrnaduke seemed to
regret the matter, he took no steps toward an adj
justment of the trouble, and continued to assert
that Walker exercising authority which he
usurped Walker finally found it necessary to
order Marmaduke under arrest until the ques-
ton could be settled by the proper authority
This so incensed Marmaduke that he could not
restrain himself, and he denounced the action of
Walker in language forcible, branding him ips
manner that left the latter no alternative but to
fight or resign.
The old ex confederate says that if his memo
ry serves him we'll it was on the evening Of Sept.
s. 1868, that Marmaduke visited By officer
and informed that he need not longer consider
himsef.under arrest. at the same time handing
him an envelope which contained a challenge to
meet Walker the next morning at such hour and
place as friends of the two generals might agree
upon. Marmaduke soon found one of the trusted
officers, and instructed him to proceed at once
with the details. twas arranged that the meeting
at point six miles distant from Little Rock.
The cartel specified that the duelists should use
their side arms at thirty PAGES advance and fire
until one or both men fell. When Walker APP
peared at the fighting place next morning he was
in the most cheerful spirits, laughing and chat
ting with the two men who accompanied him,
and remarking in a iocular way that shooting
at Marmaduke was like shooting at ralnrod, he
being at that time much more slender than at
present. Walker was much heavier, and his
rotund form would, as he expressed it, make as
! fine q target as barrel for Marmaduke's pistol.
The latter made his appearance last, and there
was nothing IN his countenance to Indicate that
he felt as lutte CONCERN about the meeting as the
| cheerful Walker whom he was about to slay.
He had little to say to his second, but gazed at
| the ground in a thoughtful way, constantly
biting at his thumb-nail, a habit which character
| lied him just before entering an engagement
| throughout the war9
| Only few moments were consumed in
| measuring off the ground and placing the men.
At the word the crack of both pistols sounded as
| one; the men advanced and fired again, and the
| third shot from each revolver was heard, when
| Walker threw his hand to his breast and fell
two of the three shots fired by Marmaduke hav-
| ing taken effect, while the latter walked away
without a scratch. Walker expired in a
| tered a word The body was not taken
| in until coffin had been procured and
arrangements made for the funeral, which oc-
| Cured on the evening of the same day. The
body reached Little ROCK ABOUT O'CLOCK, ana
its arrival there was the first tidings his men
| had of the sad fate of their commander. No
| blame attached to Marmaduke, however, and
nothing more than expressions of regret followed
| the unfortunate occurrence.
Marmaduke succeeded to the command and
| shortly afterwards conducted the retreat Of the
| confederate forces from Little Rock when they
were both pursued by the federals and the
| fighting was almost continuous and very serious
| in the number of lives lost. At every opportu-
Init Nov MI in ho af
/ foolhardiness. He had been more prudent In
former engagements, and the recklessness dis
| played in this retreat was attributed to remorse