The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-07-28

! Strange Duel Between General !.
5 Hunkins and Colonel Reckling. !.

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IOriginall
Among the generals of the civil war
there were those who had received a
military education and those who won
their promotion from n natural fitness
for command and politicians. General
Hunkins belonged to the Inter class
From his point Of view the war was II
sort of preliminary political contest
among certain men ms to which should
eventually return tn their homes with
sufficient eclat TO he nominated for
some fat office Having during the
early formation of the army been as
signed the command of Il division. he
first turned his attention to keeping in
due subsection all interiors who might
dim his own luster by distinguishing
themselves. The man he most dreaded
was Young Colonel Reckling. who had
entered the army from civil life. but n
restless. pushing dashng fellow and a
born soldier
Two armies were confronting each
other HuniinS' division was on tho
right. Colonel Reckling's brigade on the
extreme lip The enemy resolved to
turn the Union right faux and hurled Il
whole division against Reckling's br
gade Recklng held his position long
enough for Hunkins to send him re-cn
furceinents. but Hunkins did nothing
of the kind He watched the fighting
from an eminence and saw the rem
nant of Keckling's brigade driven like
dust before Il hurricane. The Union
army fell hack to stronger position.
When quiet was restored Uunkins rode
up to Reckling and reprimanded him
for not holding his position. implying
cowartlice
There is little or no redress in the ar
my against such an imputation by a
superior officer. certain y not in face
Of an enemy. One morning shortly
after daylight Colonel Reckling rode
up to his commanders headquarters
and. rousing the general. said:
II think the enemy is meditating IN
important move. If you will ride ont
with lae to the picket line III show you
what mean"
Hunkins proposed to send his chief
Of staff. hut Reckling insisted that he
should see for himself. SO the gen
eral called his escort. and the two Off
GERS rode to the picket line
I'VE must 60 farther" said Reckliug.
IL would suggest that the escort re-
main here so as not to draw the fire"
But said tho general. showing ex
IRENE reluctance to 60 on.
"Genernl,' exclaimed Reckling i'm
feigned surprise.
The general dare not refuse with
twenty cavalrymcn looking on. He
rode with his inferior a few hundred
yards to low fence. over which Reck-
ling jumped his horse Hunkins. know
Ing the eyes of the escort were upon
him. dare not refuse 10 follow. lie
was about to protest against this APP
proach to the enemy's rifles as unnec
essary exposure when he noticed a curl
on Recklings lip. He saw the latters
design, but he must either follow or
lose that respect OF his men which was
necessary TO command Trembling
he rode on
A MIME bullet sang between the
two men. The general ducked. An
other aud another. The colonel push
ed on. the general few PAGES behind
him. More struggling shots.
II see no change IN the situation"
said the general. Let us 60 back"
mot here" said Reckling; mot here.
Farther to their left ! think they are
massing Il force on our right. Just rs
they did the other day They cant get
ut US on our left for the river and the
hill where we have thrown up the
earthworks."
"But we are not going to our right.
We're going straight toward their right
center"
"We'll turn presently"
Glow much farther have we to go!'
asked the general in a few moments.
I'VE must ride along in front of their
line till we reach that wood on our
left
The general shuddcred Riding in
front of their line meant certain death.
''This is suicide" he protested.
Come on" said the colonel.
Putting spurs to his horse. Reckling
started straight toward the enemy's
lines At the same moment a storm of
bullets whistled by the two men. Hun
kns could not stand the test. He
turned and rode back as fast as his
horse could carry him.
Bravery wins respect even from an
enemy The Confederates, wondering.
watched Reckling coming. Presently
he turned and rode slowly along the
front of their line. Not a shot was
fired. 1t was an eighth of a mile to
cover. and as the soldier passed over
the distance and entered the wood a
cheer went up from the Union soldiers
and the Confederates. who were too
admiring to shoot SO gallant man.
When the general Joined his escort
he knew that his military career had
ended. But his aptitude for different