Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-19
AN UNFORTUNATE DUEL.
Helped Cripple the Confederate Cause
-kiIlina of Walker by Marmaduke.

Helped Cripple the Confederate Cause
killing of Walker by Marmaduke.
"A duel between two Confederate
generals, almost in the midst Of an
important engagement in the early
stages of the civil war, had something
to do with the final collapse Of the
Southern cause" said an ex-Confed-
crate after his return from the Davis
and ]. E. B. Stewart memorial cele-
bration in Richmond. 1--WE were not
as united as the new generation would
have you believe"
"There was always a misunder-
standing between the Richmond gov
ernment and the trans Mississippi de-
partment Early in the conflict I was
sent to Arkansas to learn the cause
of the trouble in the leadership.
give men, whose names later be-
came a part Of the history Of the
cause, were at variance at a time
when unity was essential. These men
were Sterling Price, Marmaduke,
Walker, Holmes and Fagan. Price
was the idol of the Missouri troops.
Marmaduke was a born soldier. Wal
ker was a martinez, Holmes was un-
certain in judgment. Fagan was
good fighter when he was discreetly
directed.
when I reached Arkansas these
five men were before Helena for the
purpose Of wrestling it from the enc
my. 1t was not necessary to go into
the details Of the story. The point is
that the attack failed.
1T was a blow to the Richmond
government 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 assertions among
the leaders increased. This was no
ticeably the case between Walker and
Marmaduke.
"If I 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 retreat. He
was assured that at certain point he
would be reinforced by Walker.
"It was important that he should
have this aid. When he arrived at the
point not a man, save his own division,
was to be seen. Not only that, but
Walker had failed to communicate
with him. Marmaduke extricated
himself from the. situation by a mira
Gle.
I'm several engagements that fol-
lowed, Walker, though still in COM
mand, held himself aloof from Mar
maduke. 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.
"Marmaduke sent an aid to ask
Walker for orders Walker refused
to answer, because, as he said, 1t was
unmilitary for superior officer to re-
ceive a verbal message from an infe-
rior 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 1t
amounted to, Marmaduke, smarting
under the conduct of Walker, inform
ed Walkers superior Of existing con-
ditions and demanded that his troops
be withdrawn from Walkers com
mand. Failing in this, Marmadhke
said his resignation was ready.
"This was an interesting condition
at such a time. / don't think 1t had
its counterpart during the remainder
of the war.
'Marmaduke's 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 in sight Of the SOL
diers.
"Marmaduke was an. expert marks
man. He killed his adversary at the
first shot. Think of such thing at
such a time!
"Marmaduke and his seconds were
promptly arrested. Only for Walkers
unpopularity Marmaduke would have
been courtmartialed. Through the in
1uence of officials high in authority
the affair was dropped. But 1t took
time to restore the army to discipline.
And when the time came the enemy
had secured advantages which were
maintained throughout the war.
THE Richmond government was
charged with Indifference to the sit
uation beyond the Mississippi. 1t was
due very largely to the lack Of unity
among the leaders Of the west.
"By the time they had come to their
senses the damage had been done.
Many crimes have been ascribed to
the south's defeat. One Of them not
generally known, I have stated.
"All the participants in the Walker
Marmaduke duel are dead with the
exception Of Marmaduke's chief sec
ond, Colonel John C. Moore. He Is,
or was years ago, still living in Kan
sas City, y."-Washington Star.
SHIPS OF THE ANcIENTS.