Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1846-03-05
From The PhiA. u. y. Gazette
Street Fight.

ID our washington fe'er yesterday, the
fact Of street fight in Richmond, Va, was
mentioned, but no particulars given. We
were yesterday without Richmond papers,
but by the following from the Baltimore A
merican it will be seen that it is the result Of
newspaper vehemence, a want Of Judgment
in the use of the great machine-,be press
The mail will bring you the particulars OF
a rough and tumble fight on the James
River, opposite Richmond, yesterday morn
ing, before the departure Of the cars for the
east The parties 10 il were Mr.. John II.
Pleasants, late Of the Richmond Wing, and
recently Of the new paper established at
Richmond, and Mr.. Thos. Richie, Jr., son
of the editor Of the Union.
The parties went 10 the field BY ngree-
ment, armed with several pistols each, and
with swords. They took their distance and
commenced iiring-tbe one firing four and
the other SIX shots, each nearing the other
AS they fired. The parties soon came in
close contact-One Of the pistol shots taking
effect upon Mr. p. The swords were now
used. Mr.. Pleasants struck a blow which
injured Mr.. Richie slightly, as is SAID, and
which 10 probably true. as he was IN the Ro-
tunda of The Capitol this morning during The
SESSION Of the House.
Mr.. Richie inflicted a heavy blow with a
small sword, which made deep gash upon
The nbdOmeE OF his antagonist. His friends
think he will not recover, and it is probable
that he may not from the character Of his
ounds.
Nj. Ritchie came 10 the city last night,
and is now the guest OF his father.
Mr.. Pleasants, il is said, will be able TO
leave the scene of this bloody strife in his
own carriage.
The immediate cause of this fight, il is said
was card IN the Richmond Enquirer, pro-
nouncDg Pleasanis rank coward
The fight took place in the presence Of
several of the friends of each party.
Mr.. Peasants is iily.five years OF age,
and Mr.. Richie not halt as old.
DEATH OF Mr.. PLEAsANTs--Th
horrible affair at Richmond, Of which we
spoke on Friday and Saturday, has ter
minated fatally to one Of the parties
MIR. Pleasanis died of his wounds on
Friday morning. The Washington cor
respondent Of the baltimore Patriot gives
the following account of the combat:
The quarrel had gone on in their newspa-
pers io such an extent that Mr.. Pleasants
thought himself called upon to bring the mat
ter to crisis. lie therefore sent a request
TO Mr.. Richie, TO meet hun at specified
place and hour across the river from Rich
mond, with side arms. Mr.. Ritchie sent
word back that he could not consent to settle
the affair in that way. Mr.. Pleasants then
sent him word that the matter mus! be settled, >,
and III that way.
MIR. Rltche then prepuied himself with a
revolver of six barrels, two duelllng pistols
and horseman's shnrksword, and repaired to-
the place designated, al the time named.
Mr. Pleasants arrived, with two Tor four
there is doubt about this common pistols
and sword cane. a friend Of Mr.. Plea
SAINTS approached Mr.. Rltchlc, and said to
him that he thought the difficulty might be
settled if the latter would do one thng-ac-
know ledge that he believed Mr.. Pleasants to
be brave man. Mr.. Richie replied that
once he could huve done this but now, Mr..
Pleasants having called him there, he could
not make such an acknowledgment.
Soon alter this Mr.. Pleasanis appeared ep-
Mr.. Richie, considerably in ad-
vance of the two friends who had accompa-
MED him To the spot. AS he approached at
rapid pace, Mr.. Richie fired successfully his
two duelling pistols, resting each OH his left
arm, drawn up IN an angle for that purpose.
lie then presented his revolver and fired
either four or FIVE OF it's barrels. After he
had fired first upon Mr.. Pleasants, the latter
drew and fred thrice without effect, all the
time rushing up to alr. Richie, and when
near enoug b he struck him with his sword
cane, when the scabbard flew off, and Mr..
Richie struck up the blade or spear with his
short sword-in doing which he received the
point IN the corner Of his mouth, cutting up |
ward a slight cash.
Mr.. Pleasants then fell, having received
five wounds-on ball raked across the back
Of his left hand, carrying away all the mus
cles and tendons leading to the fingers
another passed through the Acshy part of his
eft arm, half way up from The elbow TO the
shoulder. Another entered the left breast,
md ranged round under the arm. a fourth
entered the left groin and proved MORTAL
The fifth wound was in the right thigh
either by ball Or thrust from the shor,
sword.
So has ended the earthly career of the
gifted, the high minded, the generous, whole
'ouled John llampdcn Pleasan,s! His loss
o the community in which he moved, to the
editorial fraternity of which he was ever
parking, brilliant member, and to the thou
ands OF his ever delighted and instructed
eaders, will be most deeply felt, as his san
urinary exit will be sadly mourned. For
many years he has been one OF the most Wig
rous, original and brilliant political writer's
n the country. !!o was a man of strong i'm.
ulses, az d, in the excitement Of The moment
omeilmes committed editorial errors, or did \
lis opponents injustice. But that man lived
ot who would more readily or amply atone
or indiscre,Ions or injuries Of this nature.
The Union takes The following notice of
hc matter: Il
We hear with profound regret Of the death
{ John ilaInpdcn plcasun,s, Esq, OF Rich.
nond, who breathed his last in that city at
o'clock yesterday morning. We regret on
very account, both the death of this gentle.
nan aud the manner Of 1t. lie tell near
Manchester. on the banks Of the James river,
pposlte to Richmond, very early on Wed.
csd0y morning, IN an unfortunate encounter
ltl one who is related To the editor Of this
aprr by the tcudercst ties. We had hoped Il
hat he would have survived his wounds, but
has beer ordered otherwise. II is not our
utv 10 enter intO the clrcunsipncps which |