Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-26
From the Spirit of Jefferson.
THE LATE DUEL.


I'm exact copy Of all the testimony be-
fore the Coroner's Jury summoned to
inquire into the cause ofthe death Of
John H. Pleasants-taken from the
Coroner's return on record, IN the
Clerks Office of'the Hastings Court
Of the City Of Richmond. Inquest
held 9th february, 1916.
William H. Mcfarland being duly
sworn, testified that he was with the
deceased just before his death-heard
deceased in conversation with DR..
Warner-Dr. Warner inquired of the
deceased if he understood him to have
drawn the ball from one of the pistols,
the deceased replied, yes! yes! DR..
Warner inquired when? To this there
was no reply-Dr. Warner inquired
how? His impression was he said with
a screw. DR.. Warner inquired, was
it your purpose TO give your opponent
every advantage: Deceased said no,
and shortly after corrected this and
said yes! Witness had met the deceas>
ed coming down the street day or
two before the occurrence with Mr..
Drew: and remarked to him that no
duel should come out of the controver-
sy with aim and Richie. The de-
ceased said seriously he would not en-
gage in a duel. When the conversa-
ton was held with Dr.. Warner, the de-
ceased was in great danger-the de-
ceased said he was IN ertremis.
DR.. Warner being sworn, testified,
that on the night previous to the meet
ing, he was spoken to by Mr.. Thos. J.
Deane, to attend next morning profess
sionally. Hewent and saw Peasants,
and stated to him that he had come to
understand the circumstances of the
case. Peasants said he had sent Ritz
chic verbal message. Witness saw
a written communication from Richie,
could not say it was signed by Richie.
The note was merely replying to the
verbal message stating terms that they
should meet with side arms, but not with
muskets, rifles and guns; complained
ofthe terms being 5arbarous. Plea
SAINTS said he had seen him (Ritchie)
yesterday he would have attacked him.
The next morning, which was We'd
nesday the 25ih day of the present
month, went over Mayors Bridge to
place near the Cotton Factory in Man
chester, Chesterfield County. Pleas.
ants and Mr.. Peter Jefferson Archer
were walking together to the spot, and
:he witness and MIR. Deane followed
on to the field. When they arrived
there, they saw Greenhow, Richie,
and person whom he was told was
William Scott. Mr.. Deane left him to
speak with MI. Archer. Archer was a
friend of Peasants. Peasants insis.
ted upon changing the ground, as i,
gathered crowd where they were, and
the range ofthe shot was where they
would strike some one. Peasants
proposed to go higher, and the Wit
less told him not TO 60 near Richie as
be might shoot him. Witness said
this as there was no particular terms
of the fight. peasants said he would
go. He crossedsthe mill race and Sc
lected spot. At that time witness
walked up where Deane was in CONVEX
sation with Greenhow. Heard Green
how say, this was an assault, and that
he had kept his friend there for fifteen
minutes past the time, and if he was
not assaulted in fifteen minutes more,
he would move him from the field. -
Mr.. Archer addressed himself to Plea
SAINTS, and said, come on and arm your
self. Peasants Their unlocked his
case, took out revolving pistol, which
he put into his coat pocket. took a
Bowie-khife and put it into his bosom,
put his sword cane under his arm, and
iook two duelling pistols, one il, each