The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-21
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1874.


The Late Bloody AID Fatal Dull
have with some difficulty obtained the follow
ing statement Of facts from a responsible source,
relative to this fatal affair believe them to be
correct-but should there be any error, it will be
cheerfully corrected.
In regard to the origin of the duel il is believed
that on Thursday morning last, (not on Thursday
night Mr.. Cochran said, in the presence
of two three of MIR. Mays friends, that he be-
iieved MIR. May coward-that he had acted cow
ardly in late afiair-supposed to be in difficulty
between young Mr. Ash ard young gentleman
by the name Of Pooer from Savannah, Georgia.
This expression Of Cochran was Immediately re-
ported to MIR. May, at whose request two or three
of his friends Immediately waited spon Mr.. Coch-
ran, at his room, to demand of him a retracton of
the words, and an apology. Mr.. Cochran imme-
dlately declined, saying that he would consult his
friends, which he did. This was about noon Of
Thursday.
BY the advice of his friends, Mr. Cochran decid-
ed to make no apology, but, on the contrary, &C
cepted an invitation 10. meet Mr.. May and his
friends at eight O'Clock the next morning, (Frday)
at Mr.. Nelson's tavern,. about mile, or mile
and halt the other side Of the chain bridge, In
Fairfax county, Virginia.
During the remainder OF the day, (Ihursday)
preparations for the duel were made, although no
challenge h had as yet been made Or ;aScepsed
Washington about hali-past five o'clock on Friday
morning, in a coach with four white horses They
arrived upon the ground at Nelson's tavern about
half an hour before the other party. As soon
Mr.. May and his friends arrived-as they did in a
single coach, DR.. Miller attending upon horseback
he sent challenge in the usual style TO Mr..
Cochran. which was accepted
Mr.. Pooler acted as MIR. Nays second, and Mr..
Ash as Mr.. .Cochran's second, In Mr.; Mays party
were also Messrs Cuylor and Nicholson, in what
capacity do not know. MIR. Cochran was also at
tended by his surgeon Articles were drawn up
and signed by the seconds, designating the wea-
pons, which were to be rifles, and the distance fifty
breech of the rifle to the shou1der-the muzzle
down-and to be raised at the word. The words,
Are you ready, gentlemen! - were then to be
word "re!' the muzzles Of the rifles were to be
Gone" "two," "thrce," siop'-neiiher before
"One," nor after "slop.'
Whilst these arrangements were going on at the
tavern, the principals and surgeons proceeded to
the field. about mile distant Their efforts were
made to bring about reconciliation, but to no
purpose. The seconds arrived about nine O'Clock
upon the held-when the efforts TO effect recon-
ciliation were again renewed, but without effect.
The distance was then measured off by the Sc
conds The ground was very nearly leyel-the pc,
sition of Mr.. Cochran was very slightly elevated
above that of Mr. May-not over a few inches. |
should have stated that the choice of the ground
cool and composed. Both the principals were
members OF the temperance society; Cochran was
urged, however, to take glass of liquor, but
fused. Both were perfectly composed-each ex-
pecting to wound his man and escape himself un-
hurt-and each hoped to draw the others fire !:
that is, by firing at the word "one," to anticipate
the others fire Mr.. Cochran, as was his custom,
continued to sing little snatches of songs Each
took his pace-Mr. Ash gave the word, it being
his privilege as the second of the challenged party
Mr. Cochran threw, of his hat. Both replied
both tired-Mr Cochran a second after Mr.. May.
Mr. May remained unhurt. Mr.. Cochran stood
moment-.-his rife dropped from his hands, and he
fell heavily and slowly back partly on his left side,
the right leg being thrown over the left.
MI: Cochran's surgeon was FIRST on the spot.
Blood was seen flowing from his forehead, and,
upon pushing up the hair with the fingers, wound
was discovered through which a portion of the
brain protruded about the size Of two fingers He
appeared and was at first believed to be dead
Scarcely any pulsatIon or breathing was percep-
tible. Mr.. May still continued in his place tor
some time, but subsequently went to the place
where his second had stood.
Almost Immediately after, Mr.. Cochran's
geon came to the spot. DR.. Miller ran to his assist
ance, and concurred in the opinion that Mr.. Coch-
ran must die in few minutes. He called to Mr.
May to take his horse and make his escape. Mr.
May did so. His seconds came up to Mr.. Cochran,
and finding that he dying, to their carriage
which was quarter OF mile of, and returned to
the city, with DIR. Miller
Mr. Cochran was then left dying upon the field,
surgeon and second, who was deeply affected by
the fall of his friend. The driver of the coach and
four white horses, fTlGntene0 AT the TALL OF MI
Cochran, had suddenly driven off to the distance Of
half mile, but brought back, and in the course
OF half an hour blankets were procured, and Coch-
ran removed TO his coach. In taking him to
Nelson's tavern, Cochran vomted several times
and revived little. his pulse becoming more per-
ceptible He perfectly scnseless-bled profuse-
ly-drcnching the seats OF the coach with his
blood.
Efforts were made upon the ground, before Pr
Miller left, to replace the Protruding brain. The
hair was shaved off in the vicinity of the wound
but it found impossible TO restore the brain
and il was removed and a bandage applied
At Mr. Nelson's every thing possible was done
for Mr. Cochran. Doctors Holmead, Elliott and
Hail. Of Washington, and Richie, OF Georgetown
were immediately in attendance. News OF the
catastrophe was instantly communicated TO Coch-
rams brothers, John I. anu Richard .. Cochran,
who, overpowcrcd by the intelligence, repaired at
once to the spot. Il may here be said that Joseph
dent, as has been reported and published. lie was
about eighteen years OF ag,, and the youngest OF
the three brothers.
The shots were We're exchanged abou. quarter past
till half past O'Clock on the following Sunday
morning, ne remained perfectly insensible. and at
that hour died.
A post mortem examination was held, and the
bali which entered at the union Of the frontal and
left parieta bone, was found on the right side at
The union Of the right parieal with the accipita
bone, between the membranes which envelope the
brain and bone.
The injny to the bones Of the head was of a pc
culiar and striking character, and it remark
able that he should have lived 40 long as he did
The direction taken by the ball proves that he was
taking aim VIXEN he received the wound.
The corpse was removed to the city last evening.
and was buried this morning, as have before sta
ted.
II is said that Mr. May returned hastily to the
city, took The horse OF his brother, Dr. Fred May,
and fed from Washington. The seconds on both
sides also fled, aud none OF them have been since
heard of publicly.
There has been great excitement here originating