The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-06-01
AN EPISODE OF
The CIVIL WAR
Brave Officer Revenges Insult
of His Superior.


military education. those who won
their promotion from a natural fitness
for command, and politicians. General
Hunkins belonged to the last class.
In the army formation he was as
signed tie command of division and
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.
Two armies were confronting each
other. Hunkins' division was on the
right, Colonel Reckling's brigade on the
extreme tip. The enemy resolved to
turn the Union right flank and hurled
whole division against Recklings brl-
gade. Reckling held his position long
enough for Hunkins to send him rein
forcements, but Hunkins did nothing
of the kind. He watched the fighting
from an eminence and saw the rem
nant of Reckling's brigade driven like
dust before hurricane. The Union
army fell back to stronger position
When quiet was restored Hunkins rode
up to Reckling and reprimanded him
for not holding his position. implying
cowardice.
There is little or no redress in the
army against such an imputation by a
superior officer, certainly not in face
of an enemy. Colonel Reckling would
have challenged the man who had In
suited him, but the day of duelfng had
passed, and challenge sent to a su-
persor officer would have been consid.
cred mutiny. Nevertheless duel be-
tween these two officers took place.
and this is how Colonel Reckling man
aged it:
One morning shortly after daylight
he rode up to his commanders head
quarters and, rousing the general, said:
IT think the enemy is meditating an
important move. If you will ride out
with me to the picket line I'll show you
what l mean"
Hunkins proposed to send his chief
Of staff, but 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.
1--WE must go farther" said Reckling
II would suggest that the escort re-
main here so as not to draw the fire.
But said the general. showing ex-
IRENE reluctance to go on.
"General" exclaimed Reckling In
feigned surprise.
The general dare not refuse with
twenty cavalrymen 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, dared not refuse to follow. He
was about to protest against this ap-
proach to the enemy's rifles as unnec-
essary exposure when he noticed curl
on Reckling's lip. He saw the latter's
design. but he must either follow or
lose that respect Of his men which was
necessary to command.
A mimic bullet sang between the
two men. The general ducked. An
other and another. The colonel push
ed on, the general few PAGES behind
ILL., SAOAS oCAo35Ahu6 OhOeSs
II see no change in the situation,
said the general. "Let us go back"
mot here" said Reckling; mot here.
Farther to their left. l think they are
massing a force on our right, just as
they did the other day. They can't get
at 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"
"HOw much farther have we to GOT
asked the general in a few moments.
1--WE must ride along In front OF their
line till we reach that wood on our
left"
Putting spurs to his horse. Reckling
started straight toward the enemy
lines. At the same moment storm of
bullets whistled by the two men. Hun
kins 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
! fred. 1t was an eighth Of q mile to
cover, and as the soldier passed over
the distance and entered the wood
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
field saved him in that field. He sent
home one of his henchmen, who was
serving on his staff, with Instructions
to write up the generals remarkable
service in the army and create de
mand among the people that he return
and run for congress. The henchman
played his part well. and just as the
singular duel between Hunkins and
Reckling came to the ears OF the gen.
H.