John S. Marmaduke

John S. Marmaduke, born on March 14, 1833, was a prominent American politician and military officer. He served as the 25th governor of Missouri from 1885 until his untimely death in 1887. His political career was marked by a commitment to public service and leadership during a tumultuous period in American history.

During the American Civil War, Marmaduke distinguished himself as a senior officer in the Confederate States Army, commanding cavalry units in the Trans-Mississippi Theater. His military prowess was evident as he navigated the complexities of warfare in a divided nation.

One of the most notable incidents in his military career occurred on September 6, 1863, when he engaged in a duel with Confederate Brigadier General Lucius M. Walker, resulting in Walker's death. Although Major General Sterling Price ordered Marmaduke's arrest following the duel, the order was suspended due to the imminent U.S. advance on Little Rock, Arkansas. Remarkably, Marmaduke never faced a court martial for this incident, highlighting the chaotic nature of the war.