The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-30
DUEL OF SOUTHERN GENERALS.
Killing Of walker by Marmadukc and It's
Erect on Confederate Fortunes.

"A duel between two Confederate Gem
erals, almost in the midst of an important
engagement, in the early stages OF the civil
war, had something TO do with the final coll
lapse Of the Southern cause, said an eX-
Confederate living in New York after his
return from the Davis and j. E., b. Stuart
memorial celebrations in Richmond. "We
were not as united as the new generation
would lave you believe.
There was always a misunderstanding
between the Richmond Government and the
transit Mississippi department. Early in the
conflict / was sent 10 Arkansas to learn the
cause Of the trouble in the leadership.
Five men, whose names later became a
part of the history Of the cause, we're at
variance at a time when unity was essential.
These men were Sterling Price, M~armaduke,
Walker, Holmes and Pagan. Price was the
idol OF the Missouri troops. Marmaduke
was a born soldier. Walker was a martinez.
Holmes was uncertain in judgment. Pagan
was a good fighter when he was discreetly
directed.
when l reached Arkansas these five men
we're before Helena for the purpose Of
wrestling it from the enemy. 1t was 3 stra-
tegio position at the time. 1t is not neces-
Rary TO 20 lnlO Iue ueVdllh VI III stoiy' ~
point is that the attack failed.
at was q blow to the Richmond Govern
ment early in the cause. The failure lay
not with the soldiers but with the leader.
Holmes had planned the fight. Events
showed that he had no conception of the
strength Of the Notifications of the enemy
or Of the enemy's numbers.
After the failure diRsensions among the
case between Walker and Marmaduke.
If | remember correctly Walker ranked
Marmaduke. In one Of the movements
Walker had ordered the troops under his
command to retreat. To Marmaduke was
given the post Of danger-covering the re-
treat. He was assured hat at a certain
point he would be reinforced by Walker.
1T was important that he should nave
this aid. When he arrived at the point
not a man, save bis own division, wat TO be
seen. Not only that, but Walker had failed
TO communicate with him, Marmaduke
extricated himself from the situation by a
miracle.
"In several engagements that followed
Walker, though still in command, held
himself aloof from Marmaduke. The two
men hated each other personally, but
Marmaduke was enough Of a soldier to let
that pass at the time. Walker was sullen
and sulky.
"Marmnduke sent an aide 10 ask Walker
for orders. Walker refused to answer be-
cause, us he said. IL was unmilitary for a
superior officer 10 receive a verbal message
from an inferior. Marmaduke reduced his
request to writing and sent it. Walker
never replied.
After the troops had been rescued from
the situation, for that is what It amounted
to. Marmaduke, smarting under the con-
duct OF Walker, informed Walkers superior
of existing conditions and demanded that
his troops he withdrawn from Walkers
command. Failing in this Marmaduke
said his resignation was ready.
This was an interesting condition al
such a time. Idon't think it had its counter
part during the remainder OF the war.
Manufactures attitude widened the
breach. Walker remained obdurate. Then
came the climax.
"Marmaduke challenged Walker. The
latter accepted. The affair was known
only TO a few. The meeting took place
almost within sight Of the soldiers.
'Marmaduke was an eNf ert marksman.
He killed his adversary the first shot.
Think Of such a thing at such n timel
promptly arrested. Only for Walkers
unpoT ularlty Marmnduke would have been
court martialled Through the influence
Of officials high in authority the affair was
drowned, but IL took time 10 restore the
army to discir line. And when the time
came the enemy had secured advantages
which were maintained throughout.
THE Richmond Government was charged
with indifference 10 the situation beyond
the Mississippi. II was due very largely
20 the lack OF unity among the leaders in
the West.
BY the time they had GONE 10 their