Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-20
THE DUEL.

The author of "Recollections Of the
Peninsula" gives; in the Winters
Wreath, an account Of duellst who
had killed his antagonist. We are not
without hope, that this affecting nara
tive may, perchance, meet the eye of
more than one of the rising generation,
to whom those (alse and pernicious no
tions of personal dignity are familiar,
which often lead to the caIamitous re-
suits that are here depicted. OF all the
delusions to which the silly pride or
real weakness humankind has given rise.
there is none SO utterly lndefensblc as
this of numbering each other, by way of
wiping away what is called a stain up
on our honor. What stain, we way well
ask, can tarnish that honor more indeli-
bly, than the blood of fellow creature?
Who deserves TO be Stunned by society,
to be eXi!ed from lis ranks, to be driver
into the solitude of his own despair,
more than the man who, for some hasty
word, some unintentional offence, some
momentary burst Of passion, takes away
the life which the Deity has given to
one ofhis children? But let us hear the
remorse of the murderer from his own
confession; we know not whether the
story be drawn from fancy or founded on
fact; nor is it of any consequence one
way or the other, inasmuch a; the moral
is true III all its parts, and the example
impressive. The adversaries are said 10
have been friends from earliest youth,
and to have entered the army together.
Upon some occasion, the spirits o! one of
them were'particularIy exhuberant. and,
in play full mood, he tipped oIl'his friends
cap in the presence Of his fellow officers:
an act which was unexpectedly repaid
by blow that knocked him down.
The consequences are related in these
words.
81 was instantly picked up BY a tall,
vulgar young man, who had lately Join
ed the regiment by exchange, in coms,-
quence of some affair of honor, in which
he had been engaged with his captain,
and who was ready agent of mischief
This business, said he, can only be set.
tied in one way, and the sooner the bet
ter
ri cast my eye around to look for Hill.
He had caught up his cap, was walking
away bare-headed, and two brother en-
signs were following him, one of whom
l knew had pair of dueliing pistols.
A little fellow, who had only Joined us
! few days, and was not more than fiji
teen. and to whom we had both been
kind, came TO me. % Vernon, said he,
run after him, make all up; it was all
foolishness; why, it was only play till he
got vexed, and that was your fault.
am sure he is sorry. Let us all agree to
say nothing about it at mess, and to keep
it from the Colonel"
"Such was the thought of the artless
boy. Oh that he had had mans wis
| dom ! ] mean not that of such men as
were with US then; for my tall friend
called him young biockhead, and babe
him hold his nonsense, and remember
that officers were not schooiboys. 10
think that of the seven persons present,
there was but one peace-maker, and he
child Had he but gone 10 the Colo
mel, or any of the senior officers, there
would not have been wanting some
worth and wisdom to stand between the
boys and their calamity. As it was, we
were both in the hands of wicked and
unreasonable men,-both the dull and
passive slaves Of a cruel custom.
"My tall friend went home with me to
my barrack room, and wrote challenge,
which | copied, scarce knowing what !
did. He carried it himself and was
long away. How busy were my thoughts
during that interval He will make am
apology methought ;-he will do any
thing rather than meet me. i never
saw such fellow, said the wretch WHO
had volunteered to be my second.
Knock a man down, and then offer him
an apology Why, you would both be
turned out of the service,-h for offer.
ing and you for accepting it, 4 would
give my life replied, to avoid thi.
meeting if it were possible Wei,
said my second, 1T is not possible how.
ever, it is pleasant and safe duel fol
you; for after receiving your shot, heI
of course fire in the air and make his apo
logy but 90 TO the ground me must ant
you need not be uneasy, perhaps yot
may miss him. Perlops might mis-,
him. said | why, / would not fire al
him nor hurt hair Of his head for th,
universe. AS to that, replied nv men.
tor, aim at him you must YOU are Tn,
challenger. You must not call ont ;
man and make a fool Of him, and ,
mockery Of duel, and eXpeda coupl,
OF gentlemen TO stand looking on as Sc