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 Confederate 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.
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