Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-08-16
s Strange Duel Between General i,
3 Hunkins and Colonel Recklins.
GOriginal.l

[OriginaLl
Among the generals OF the civil war
there were those who had received
military education and those who won
their promotion from natural fitness
for command and politicians. General
HunkIns belonged to the latter class.
From his point Of view the war was
sort Of preliminary political contest
among certain men as to which should
eventually return to their homes with
sufficient eclat to be nominated for
some fat office. Having during the
early formation OF the army been as
signed the command Of a 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 a
restless, pushing, dashing fellow and a
born soldier.
Two armies were confronting each
other. Hunklns' division was on the
right, Colonel Reckllng's brigade on the
extreme tip. The enemy resolved to
turn the Union right flank and hurled
whole division against Reckling's bri-
gade. Reckllng held his position long
enough for Hunklns to send him re-en-
forcements, but Hunkins did nothing
of the kind. He watched the fighting
from an emlnence and saw the rem
nant Of Recklings brigade driven like
dust before a hurricane. The Union
army fell back to n stronger position.
When quiet was restored Hunkins rode
ND TO Reckling and reprimanded him
for not holding his position, implying
cowardlce.
There Is little or no redress in the ar
my against such an imputaton by a
superior officer, certainly not In face
of an enemy. One morning shortly
after daylight Colonel Reckling rode
up to his commanders headquarters
and. rousing the general. said:
'I think the enemy Ia meditating an
important move. II you will ride out
with me to the picket line I'll show you
what mean" ai.
Hunkins proposed to send his chief
Of stan, but Reckling insisted that he
should see for himself. 30 the gen
eral called his escort. and the two OH
GERS rode to the picket line. r r,e
1--WE must go farther" said Reckling.
"I would suggest that the escort re-
main here so az not TO draw the nre.'
But said the general. showing ex-
treme reluctance to 70 on.
"Generaiw exclaimed Reckhns In
feigned surprise.
The general dare not refuse with
twenty cavalrymen looking on. He
rode with his inferior q few hundred
yards to Il low fence. over which Reck-
ling Jumped his horse Hunkins, know.
Ing the eyes OF the escort were upon
him, dare not refuse TO follow. He
was about to protest against this ap
proach to the enemy's rides A. unnec
essary exposure when he noticed a cur
on Recklings lip. He saw the iatter'i
design, but he must either follow Of
lose that respect OF his men which wal
necessary to command. Trembling
he rode on.
A mimic bullet sang between th'
two men. The general ducked. An
other and another. The colonel push
ed ON, the general few PAGES bshint
him. More struggling shots.
81 see no change In the situation.
said the general. let US 70 back"
mot here" said Rechinc; mot here
Farther to their left. think they ar
masslng a force on our right Just a,
they did the other day. They can't ge
at us on our left for the river and h'
hill where we have thrown up thu
earthworks."
But we are not going to our right
We're going straight toward their righ
center"
"We'll turn presently"
"How much farther have we TO gor'
asked the general In few moments.
I'VE must ride along in front OF thei
line till we reach that wood on on
left"
The general shuddered. Riding II