Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-10-31
DoREEsT1c -occUnRaMcHs.
From the New Orleans Argus.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 9, 1897.
Sill observed a statement in your parcr of the l.,
instant. of the bloody affair near Natchez, which, to saw
the least OF II, is very much misrepresented, and nv regard
for truth has induced me TO come forward and make n piain
statement nj the facts as they really occurred, which. iii
should be necessary, can be authenticated by several res.
pectahle citizens of Natchez. DIR. Maddox invited Nj. S.
L. Wells, without the limits of the State of Louisiana. tho
met at Natchez, on the Eth ul,; OIL the 18Th, Wells was
challenged by Maddox, the 10Th was appointed for the d,v
OF combat, and the FIRST sand beach above Natchez, on the
Mississippi side, for tie place Of meeting; they met. eychan-
sed two shots E.ithour effect, aud made friends. While the
comhatants and friends, on each side, were retiring from
the ground, Wells invited Maddox, his fiend Col. Crane
and surgeon DIR. Denny, to the woods, where his friends
who were excluded from the field we're stationed, to take
some rce'eshment. Crane objected, stating as his reasons.
that there were certain men Bmong them that he could NOT
meet: wells then aSscn'ed TO go where Aladdox's friends
were stationed in the woods, who were also secluded fran,
the field: when, about half way, they were met by the friends
oil Wells, VIZ: hT. James bowie. Gen. Cuny, aud Mr.. T.
j. Wells Gen. Cuny, on meeting them, observed to Col.
Crane that IT was a good time to settle their difference.
Crane had a pistol i'll each hand. which he was CARVING
to the woods, he Immediately put himself in an attitude Of
defence; lie observed Bowie with a drawn pistol, he there
fore shot him first, wheeled round and sho, Cuny. Bowie
did not fall but Cmny did and expired in about Is minutes
Bowie exclaimed, Crane, you have shot me, and | will kill
you if l can; they both GIed simultaneously: Bowic's fire
was without effect. After Bowie made the above = clara
non 10 crane ne drew a large butcher knife and emieavor-
ed to put his threat in execution, bat was prevented Inv a
blow from Crane with the hut of his pistol which h,ar,h,
him 20 his knees; before he recovered, Crane got our Of hie
way. Bowie, then, discovering Major Wright, who had
arrived from the woods TO the scene OF action, in coniDarv
with the two Elancha!dS, exclaimed to wright, YOU ID
rascal don't you shoot; Wright observed tia, he was not
afraid of him, and icyeiled his pistol--they both fred;
Bowies shot struck Wright in the right side, which wen,
through him; Wright's fire was without effect, il struck
a man that was behind. Af.cf firing, they both advanced
on each other: Wrigh. with a sword cane, and Bowie
with a large butcher nile; Bowie stabbed Wright through
the arm III two places, he then LEFT him, and went IN
Alfred blanchard, made three s'abs NJ him. one Of which
struck him in the left side: he then left Blanchard and
returned To Wright, and gave him Il stab in the breast,
which went to his heart--h" died instantly. Bowie was
h'cd at twice by A. Blanchard, and once by C.. RI. B!an-
chard, when engaged with Wright, and once when engaged
with r.. BiaTciard; one of lie shots struck him in the tl,ipl,.
which brought him down--he fell d short distance from
Wight. a. Blanchard was SHOT through the arm. by =. j..
Wells. Hlajor NJ. horters si.nalized himself by taking a
deliberate shot at C.. II. Blanchard, when nc was disarn-
ed seven or eight PAGES distance; but il was without effect.
The only Injury Bowie received from Wright was one or
two slight wounds win 4 sword care.
Az EYE WITNESS.