Marmaduke-Walker Duel

Following the Aug. 27, 1863, battle at Bayou Meto, Confederate Gen. John Marmaduke asked to be removed from under Gen. Lucius M. Walker’s command. The two generals were at odds over actions at Helena and Brownsville earlier in 1863. Marmaduke’s transfer was approved, but after a series of messages passed between the generals’ staffs, Walker issued a challenge to a duel. The officers met at dawn on Sept. 6, armed with Navy Colts. Both fired and missed, then Marmaduke fatally wounded Walker, who died the next day after forgiving the man who shot him.

Jacksonville, Arkansas · United States