The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-11
Governor Marmaduke's Duels.
 Chicago Tribune.

1t IS as man of wonderfully un- f1inching nerve that Governor Marma- duke is best known. He was tall, slender young man of twenty when he entered West Point in June, 1858. It was there he fought his first duel. No reference has ever been publicly made to this duel, because at the time it was necessarily sI6 rosa, for dueling was against the rules of the institu- tion. It was big event in the small coterie of cadets who were cognizant of the fight, but never became known to the authorities or General Marina dukes career as soldier might have ended abruptly. The duel arose over slight dispute in which question of personal honor arose with a fellow cadet named Presley Craig. A chal- lenge passed between the two and was promptly accepted. The weap- ons chosen were pistols, the time sum- rise, and the place Filtration Walk. The cadets met at the appointed time and place with their seconds and ex- changed shots. Fortunately neither was hurt, and the seconds arranged a settlement which prevented second exchange of shots.
 It was at Bayou Metre that the famous duel between Generals Marina duke and Marsh Walker took place, in which the latter was killed. The circumstances of the duel are familiar. General Marmaduke made some re- marks in regard to General Walker in the battle of Bayou Metre, near Little Rock, which the latter resented. Marmaduke refused to retract the re- mark and challenge followed from General Walker. The duel was fought at sunrise, seven miles south of Little Rock. One version of the battle is that General Marmaduke, during the battle, was hard pressed on the field and sent for General Walker, at his headquarters, to know what he should do, as Walker was the senior in com- mand. Walker visited the field, but left soon after, and Marmaduke made a remark which came to Walkers ears.
 Another version is that an officer visited the hospital to see a friend and on leaving said the hospital was only fit for wounded men and towards. Walkers headquarters were at the hospital, and the remark became con- mon talk. When told to Marmaduke he indorsed the remark, and Walker hearing of it sent the challenge.
 General Walker was determined to kill Marmaduke, and at the first fire aimed to kill, but Marmaduke's pistol was discharged first and disconcerted him 50 much that he failed to hit his man. Marmaduke's quick firing was either lucky accident or it was clever trick. He declared to his friends that he did not want to kill Walker, and his first shot indicated that such was the fact. When the two men faced each other at their respective positions both were cool and calm. Walker had determined look on his face which boded ill for his antagonist, while Marmaduke car ried himself smilingly.
 At he word Walker brought his pistol down and carefully and delib- erately took accurate aim, but Marma- duke simply threw his pistol out and fired at once. The discharge made Walker finch, as the bravest man will do under similar circumstances, and spoiled his aim, so that the bull let just missed Marmaduke's leg. This rattled Walkers nerve to some ex- tent and made him uncertain, but Marmaduke had been forming his plan for the next shot. He could not see Walker distinctly, but he noticed three weeds in line with him. The two nearest Marmaduke were short and the third, about midway to Walker, was tall and had g small bunch of seed at the top, about on level with Walkers stomach. The weeds gave him the line of his shot, and when the next word was given he raised his pistol in line with the near est weed and aimed at the head of the tallest. His aim was true, and the bullet passed through General Walk CTS stomach.