Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-03
From, tie Boston Comnensator.

From, tie Boston Commentator.
The relation which follows, however ezra
ordinary, was communica ,sd to US by n friend,
Who a,es, tina, it is literally true, and tina, the
time place and circumstances arr, as he believes,
within the recollection OF hundreds. The NOR
al Of he tale, it will be seen is against duel
ling; . vice which, in cur humble appreten'
sion, can only be restrained by public opinion
So long Is NV makers are ohallengsrs, and 1t
il r. parded q necessary point Of honor that ev.
sry enc should 6eh, who is challenged, the
statue book against this offence mus. re-
main a mere nalliy. We concur in the opin.
iou Of our correspondent that true courage tx
ISIS 40 much in suffering for The sake Of eonsci.
ancp as in daring Ter the SIX Of false honor.
The DuRL.-At the commencement of the
last war, young man, native OF vermont,
who had gradua'ed a, one Of our Unive r,i'ies
possessing abilities rather above t. common
order, although difidsnt ard retiring in his
manners, and being witbou, employment, re-
solved to Join the army in deftn If his enun
,ry. He was Of . respectable family, and had
ACQUIRED large circle Of friends. BY whose in
s,rumrn, atty he obtained q commission. Du-
ring his leisure hours, he indnlged In field
sports, and was known to be The best shot in hr
neisbborhoo5 He had often, however, ex
prr.sed his adherence Of dusliing, aud no one
suoposed his opinions srose from cewardice,
bu, frols his ideas IF justice, and moral obliga
,iau. Soon after he received his commi ssion,
the corpse 10 which he was attached was or.
drred 10 our northern frontier and by applica.
iior tn his duties, he soon made himself re-
sprcted as al officer aad a gentleman. Owing
TO his natural reserve and religious disposition,
he did not mingl~ with his brother cfhcrrs so
often as they wished, aud from some harmlr 81
tests, at 6rsi, which were 'eceived with indlffer
ence on his par, they WE'RE emboldeued o IN
science, insomuch hat af g. some zine he be.
came the butt OF n,s fellow. Nevertheless, he
had ob,ained he friendship Of manv Of The or
GERS esp-c silly he surgeon Of the regiment,
whom he highly esteemed. This surgeon, who
had remarked with som- degree of interest the
insults which his friend had :scei,ed, and pas
sed unnoliced, spoke to him respecting his
forbearance, aud observed to him hat Is an Of
Acer if h. persisted IN thu kind "f conduct, he
would be considered a. unA, fer he station he
held: besides making himself he pat and
laughing stock a both sdi ers aud m,n. o.
which he observed to the .usgeon, tina, hs
should conduct as became man on all coca,
sions.
He soon found however, tina; the friendship
Of him he most esesmed b, gan TO subside, he
insul,s OF the officers TO incrt ase, and thS he
must throw up his commission. b. branded
with the name of coward. if he remained in the
service. A, the mex convisial meeting al
which most all the officers were present. sfs,i
the repss', the conversation ma urally led &c
l..
inclined Ia converse TIL, observations bee anne
pointed and personal. and Of their motive no
one could doubt. The most conspicuous ia
his insults. was . young ensign, who was rrpri
m uded bv our hero in such seve'e terms, thai
he took offence, and sen HIM = challenge with
out leaving the table Wht reu3on his friend
the surg on, told HIM there was no alternative
bu, to accept, and offered his services as 81.
cond liz did so-,hr arrangements were
made Oh the spot, TO meet the following morn
ing.
When the parties arrived on the ground, i
was decided tina, they should FIRE together. A
IN. hrs' &c, Lieut.. g arrd in the air, and III,
ball Of his Antagonist passed him harmless -
The Ensign insis edt upon n! trial, IL
which Lieut.. G did not Object; ~o,ch trrmi
mated as the ST, exec p'ing siig d. sh wount
received bv Lieut. G. The Ensign, still no
being satisfied, demanded one uisi more; OF
which Lieut.. G, whose patienee was nearly rx
hausied, consented, and observed to The par.is s
that ne had fulfilled the laws Of honor 10 III,
letter, and respect for himself would rot allow
further forbearsnce; then turning TO Ensign L
said TO him, 81 never yet have missed m,
mark your time has come They h'ed-,h,
ball sf Lieut.. q pierced the heart Of his oppo
nsnt. and he never br-athed more. The sur
viror, with his friend ,ae surgeon, returned &c
the mess-room, wosre all the officers Of he re
gi,nent were assembled waiting The result and
walking up to the table without word from
the parry, wro'e challenge diree,ed to any Of
hceI in the regimen, from the colonel 10 The
lowest in Commission, and placed il before
them. There was silent, solemn pausr for
go ',ina,ss. No one dared 10 sscrpr il; on
ni>,on from hi,
he thew o. he
- country. and