Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-20
The Left Hand Duel.

ANEcDoTE OF BRANCH T. ARCHER, OF TExAs.-In
the fall of 1880, Mr.: Archer was young Virginia
lawyer of some note. Going to Powhatan Court
House on business he accidently met Gen. Crump,
a small sharp featured gentlemen, with piercing
dark eyes, thin lips and like the eagles beak.
cool, sarcastic, and singing a wasp There
light be read the history of dozen duels in the
sheer that writhed like snake in its coil around
the of his month"; as every separate word is
sued through his teeth with a shrill and menacng
hiss. He never seemed to forget instant that he
was the most famous dead shot in Virginia. In con-
versation with Crump about suit in which they
opposing councils, the latter made some often
sve remarks, insinuations, of which Mr.. Archer
desired an explanation.
Il have no explanation to Make said Crump
and he set his keen eyes upon the other as if he
would STAY him with a glance. The look
quasi murder.
Archer threw his entire soul into one stern SEN
tence-' Then demand of you to retract the insin-
uations you have made against my motive!"
shall add fifty more of the kind before retract
that" said Crun1p with sneeT, and turning his
heel he remarked-''l am going to my room at the
hotel to wait for your communication if you have
any for me-
Col. Archers friends gathered in clusters around
him, entreating him that he would not sacrifice his
life to the bullet of duellst whose aim sure
and deadly. But he would not be persuaded-he
would punish Crump; or perish in the attempt A
formal challenge was soon passed and accepted, and
the meeting arranged to transpire at sun rise
the next morning. on the summit of hill two mile:
west of fUwi1sttun court houeo. At tho tinno anc
place designated, great-throng collected to witness
! the combat. Crump and Archer had both arrived
at day break and saluted each other coldy through
the pale haze Of twilight With the golden glimpse
of the sum- the principals stationed in position
by their seconds and all hearts in the multitude vi
brated with strange feelings almost to fear, de
termined and deadly were the countenances of thu
two foes although the expressions their faces in
dividualy very different. Crump's visag'
wore the searching sheer of devil sure of his prey
but the blue eyes of Archer seemed surcharged will
the lighting of manly wrath. The word being Civ
en-, the two pistols roared simultaneously, Archer
bullet grazed Crumps left temple, but his RICH
arm fell shattered to his side.
! 'Ha have winged my game" cried Crump, IL
tones of hooking triumph.
eyes, but have still wing remaining at you
service shouted Archer, shaking his other il
the face of his enemy, and demanding additional
round.
Again the weapons of death were loaded and thu
parties took their places Archer must have beer
suffering an agony of pain Beads of cold wate
rolled from his forehead; the blood streamed dowr
from his wounded arm, and stood in puddes abou
his feet his features white as marbles
white that he might have been mistaken for ghost
that he would really be ghost at the next explosion
of Crump's pistol Yet he gave no evidence of fear
Looking his antagonist resolutey in the face he
claimed
General, you now have every advantage. I an
forced by necessity to use my left hand and if YOU
were not a coward, you would do the same'
Quick as thought Crump changed the weapon from
the right hand to the left and Immediately Tie wore
to fire was repeated. At the sound of the pistol
both enemies fell. Archer had tainted from loss 0
blood the effect of his previous wound, but Crum]
was shot through the heart !-PennsglUaniG paper