Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 9.djvu/496

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
116
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.


that Marmaduke had apparently not been confirmed as brigadier, and declared that if the higher authorities had witnessed his valor at Shiloh and Prairie Grove, the honor would not be delayed. In January, 1863, he led an expedition in Missouri and attacked Spring-field, and defeated a considerable body of the enemy at Hartville, compelling by his maneuvers the withdrawal of General Blunt’s army to Springfield and the destruction of a long-chain of forts. In April he made a more formidable expedition, leading the cavalrymen of Shelby, Greene, Carter and Burbridge to Cape Girardeau. He defeated the Federals at Taylor's Creek May nth, and commanded the heroic brigades of Shelby and Greene in the attack on Helena, July 4, 1863, his part of the action failing for want of support. During Price's defense of Little Rock he commanded the cavalry of the army, which, fighting as the rear guard was reported as "skillfully handled and behaved admirably." At this time occurred his duel with Brig.-Gen. L. M. Walker, which resulted in the death of the latter. Marmaduke was put in arrest, but was ordered to resume command during pending operations, and subsequently was formally released by General Holmes. On October 25, 1863, he attacked Pine Bluff with his division, but without success. At the opening of the Red river campaign, 1864, he held the line of the Ouachita, scouring the country in front to within 25 miles of Little Rock, and when Steele advanced to co-operate with Banks he harassed and delayed the Federal movement from the north to Camden to such an extent as to make it ineffectual, fighting gallantly at Elkin's ferry, April 1d, 3d and 4th, and at Prairie d'Ane, April 9th. On the 18th he won the brilliant action at Poison Spring, and at Jenkins' ferry he rendered important services. In recognition of his valuable services Marmaduke was made a major-general, though his commission was not received until March 17, 1865. In May and June, 1864, he was stationed on the Mississippi, and had a creditable en-