New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-06
DUEL OF SOUTHERN GENERALS.
Killing Of Walker by Mar1naduke and It's
Effect on Confederate Fortunes.

"A duel between two Confederate generals.
almost in the midst of an important engage
ment. in the early stages of the Civil War, had
something TO, do with the final collapse of the
Southern cause" said an ex-Confederate after
his return from the Davis and J. Z. y. Stuart
memorial celebrations in Richmond. We We're
not united the generation would have
you believe" he is quoted as saying by The
Washington Post"
There was always a misunderstanding be-
tween the Richmond government and the trans
Mississippi department. Early in the conflict
l was sent to 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, were at variance at
a time when unity was essential. These men
We're Sterlin, Price. MarmaduIe, Walker. Holmes
and Pagan. Price the idol of the Missouri
troops. Marmaduke was born soldier Walker
was a martinez Holmes was uncertain in judg-
ment. Pagan was a good fighter when he was
discreetly directed.
when I reached Arkansas these five men
We're before Helena for the purpose of wrestling
it from the enemy. It was strategic position at
The time. Il is not necessary to so 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 re had con
ception of the strength Of the Notifications Of
the enemy or Of the euemys numbers.
ers increased. This was noticeably the case be-
tween Walker and Mavmaduke.
IF l remember correctly Walker ranked
Marnaduke In one of the movements Walker
had ordered the troops under his command TO
retreat To Marmaduke was given the post Of
danger-COYcring the retreat. He was assured
that at q certain point he would be re-enforced
by Walker.
Tt was important that he should have this
aid When he arrived at the point not man
save his own division, was 10 be seen. Not only
that, but Walker had failed to communicate
with him Marmaduke extrcated himself from
the situation by a miracle.
In several engagements that followed Walker
though stil in command hold himself aloor from
Marm@d duke 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
"Ma7maduke sent an aide 10 ask Walker for
orders Walker refused TO answer because. as
he said. It unmiitary for a superior officer
to receive verbal message from an Inferior
Marmaduke reduced his request TO writing and
sent it. Walker never replied
After the troops he'd been rescued from the
situation for that Is what Is amounted TO-
M9rmadukc smarting under the conduct Of
Walker. informed Walkers superior of existing
conditions and demanded that his troops be
Withdrawn from Walkers command railing i'm
this Marmaduke said mis- resignation was ready
This was an interesting condition. at such a
time. I don't think il had its counterpart dur
ing tho remainder Of the war
"Narmadul"s attitude widened the breach
Walker remained obdurate Then came the ell
max
"Marmaduke challenged Walker. The latter
accepted. The affair was known only to a few.
The meeting took place almost within sight of
the soldiers
"Marmoduke was en- expert marksman He
killed his adversary the first shot. Think Of
such Thing NJ such time,
"Na~maduke and his seconds we're promptly
arrested Only for Walkers unpop"lariJy Mar
ma1uke would have been court Wartillod.
Through tho influence Of officials high in ag-
thorljy the affair was dropped But it took time
to restore the army 10 discipline And when