The Plymouth pilot. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1851-1852, 1851-05-28
Dual between Barron and Deca-
rHH.

Dual between Barron and Deca-
tur.
The New York Herald contains brief
biography of the late Com. Barron, from
which we extract the following account
of the celebrated duel between that Off
Ger and Decatur.
On the 18th Of Jane, 1920, Barron
commenced the correspo ndence with De-
catur, by addressing hina as fellows;
81 have been Informed la Norfolk, that
you said you ccu' INSULT nae with impu-
nifty, or words to tn, t effect. If you have
said so you will no doubt avow il: and
shall expect to hear from you
Decatur REF piled on the 18th OF the same
month, disavowing the offensive express
sion attributed TO him. Two other let
tiers followed, explanatory of the first:
the spondence ended for the time,
and Decatur considered it at an end -
Nearly four months afterwards, on the
Odd of October, Barron again wrote to
Decatur complaining of his attempts to
injure him with his friends; and consid-
ering him as having expressed willing
ness to meet in the field, which he re-
garded as an invitation to fight. he in
formed him that he had accepted it. De-
catur replied in an elaborate and insult
ing lester-but disclaiming all personal
enmity. Finally, after some correspon-
dence, Decatur left the adjustment of the
terms of meeting with his friend, Com.
Bainbridge. On the 8th of March. 1920,
Com Bainbridge was visited on board
the Columbus, seventy -four. (then lying
in the Potomac, preparing for sea- by
Capt Elliot, as the friend of Com Bar
ron. for the purpose of making final ar.
rangements for the meeting.
The duel took place at Bladensburg,
near Washington City, ca the 22d OF
March, 1920, and was Tough; with pis-
tolls. at the distance of eight PAGES, or
yards, the shortest that is CUSTOMARY
This was done by the seconds TO accom-
modate Com. Barron, whose vision was
j fective. Ga taking their sfa d :. Cora
Bainbridge infogmed them that he would
give the word quick -"Present one,
two. three;" and they were not to fire be-
fore the word "oGe" nor after the word
Decatur, "that he hoped, on meeting in
another world, they would be better
friends than they had been in this. -
Com Decatur replied-"I have never
been your enemy, sir" No proposal for
a reconciliation was suggested. The
concerted woods were pronounced by
Com Bainbridge. At the word "two,"
they fired so exactly together. that only
one report was heard. Com. Barton fell
wounded in the right hip, according to
che apaounced intention of Deca tur
who mad declared he would hit Barron in
that part Of his body Decatur stood for
moment erect, but was observed to
press his hand upon his RICH; side. He
then fell, the ball having passed through
the abdomen. He remarked: IL am NOR
tally wounded, at least i believe so; and
wish that 1 had fallen ia defeace Of n,y
country" He WIS raised AID supported
short distance, where he sank down ex-
hausted, near toswhere Com. Barron lay.
The latter ''declared that every thing had
been conducted in the most hoRora bic
manner" and told Com. De catur, that
he forgave him from the bottom Of his
heart"
Com. Decatur was borne from the field
TO the home of his afflicted family, in the
carriage which had convered him to the
ground. He fingered i'll great agony un-
til half past ten the aame night, when he
ceased to breathe.