The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-07-12

purpose Of wrestlin" it from the enc
my. Ii was 4 strategic position at
the time. 1t is not necessary to 60 IN
TO the details Of the story. The point
is that the attack failed.
lit was a blow to the Richmond
government early in the cause. The
failure lay not with the soldiers, but
with the leader. Holmes had plann-
ell the fight. Events showed that he
had no conception Of the strength Of
the fortifications or the enemy's num-
bers.
"After the failure dissensions
among the leaders increased. This
was noticeably the case between Wal
ker and Ma7naduke.
eff 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 a certain point
he would be re-enforced by Walker.
''It was important that he should
have this aid. When he arrived at
the point not man, save his own
division, was to be seen. Not only
that, but: Walker had failed to COM
municate with him. Marmaduke ex-
tricated himself from the situation by
miracle.
"In several engagements that fol-
lowed Walker, though still in COM
mand, held himself aloof from Mar
maduke. The two men hated each 9TH
er personally. but Marnaduke was
enough cf soldier to let that pass at
the time. Walker was sullen and
sulky.
"Marmaduke sent an aide to ask
Walker for orders. Walker refused to
answer because, as he said, it was un-
military for a superior officer to re-
ceive a verbal message from an in
ferior. Marmaduke reduced his re-
quest to writing and sent it. Walker
never replied.
"After the troops had been rescu-
ed from the situation, for that is
what it amounted to, Marmaduke,
smarting under the conduct of Walk
er, informed Walkers superior Of ex-:
isting conditions and demanded that
his troops be withdrawn from Walk
er's command. Failing in this Mar
maduke said his resignation was ready.
This was an interesting condition,
a.Ssuch a time. don't think it had
its counterpart during the remainder
Of the war.
"Mamaduke's attitude wilened
the breach. Walker remained 'obdu-
rate. 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 sold
iefs.
"NIal1nadukeswas an expert marks
man. He killed His adversary the first
shot. Think of Such a thing at such
time.
"Iarmaduke and his seconds we're
promptly arrested Only for Walk
er's unpopularity Marmaduke would
have been Court-maritaled. Through
the influence Of officials high in au-
thoritv the affair was dropped. But it
took time to restore the army to dis
cipline. 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.
"Pv The time they had come to
their senses the damage had been
done. Many crimes have been as
cribed TO the south's defeat. One Of
them. not generally known: I have
stated.
"All the participants in the Walk
er-Marma;luke duel are dead with
the exception of Marmaduke's chief
second. Col. John G. Moore. He is,