Marmaduke - Walker Duel
As Union forces advanced to capture Little Rock during the Civil War,
the last duel in Arkansas was fought near this spot in an open grove of
heavy timber between Generals John Sappington Marmaduke and Lucius
Marshall Walker at 6:00 a.m., Sunday, September 6, 1863. Walker
challenged Marmaduke to the duel after the Battle of Reed's Bridge on
August 27, 1863, because of Marmaduke's critical remarks about Walker's
courage and Marmaduke's refusal to serve any longer under Walker after
that battle. They met at the LeFevre home, formerly located
approximately 200 yards east of here. Walker was mortally wounded and
died the next day at the Cates home in Little Rock. Marmaduke was put
under arrest, which was suspended. He then led Confederate forces at the
last battle of the Little Rock campaign at Fourche Bayou, before Little
Rock was captured by Union forces on September 10, 1863. - North Little
Rock History Commission.
