The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-18
Fight Between Two Democratic Candid sles
Tor Congress, al VicksburK.


Very serious opposition has lately been manifested
in North Mississippi, in regard to the nomination by
| the Democratic State Convention Of Captain VIM.
Barksdale, and General Reuben Davis has taken the
| field against him. Much personal fCeling existed
between the contestants, and their joint canvass to
vlckshurg had been very exciting resulting at that
| place on the lst Instant in a regular fight, dorng
| which Balksdale was severely cut several times
Davis was arrested, and underwent an examination
| On Saturday morning before the Mayor. We copy
from the Mig the following record of the testi
| mony OF Mr.. d. Walker, editor of the Ticksbnrg
Sfsitine, which sufficiently explains the particulars
of the affair."
D. Walker, sworn.-Testfes that he was taking
tea at the Washington Hotel on Friday evening,
Jelly lst and, while eating, Captain Rarksdale ard
Colonel johnson came il, and seated themselves by
him at the table; witness observed that Barksdale
| seemed ex;ted; Bark.siala remarked that he was
provoked or discSncerted: In short time Colonel
DAVIS came III the supper room they were speaking
| OF Davis, when that gentleman came in and took .
seat at the table in front of Barksdae, he Oavis)
relnarkng pleasantly, as he sat down. that he would
face Captain Barksdae while they supped; as Davis
came in witness states that either he Or some one
present remarked, thGe,s the General now, or
table Barksdale said to Davis who still sitting,
"Colonel Davis, l want to see you after SUPPER"
Davis replied, Very wel;N Barksdale requested
johnson and witness to walk to his, room, which
| they did: they had lot got seated when Davis
CANE to Barksdales door, and said, he had
come, as requested" to see Barksdale Barks-
dale requested johnson and witness to be seated,
ard walked with Davis to the latter's room ad-
joining; they had been absent hut short time,
/ when witness heard them talking in an angry
and excited tone and suggested to johnson to 60 in;
/ witness heard Davis say to Barksdale, leave my
1 room: don't talk TO me any more upon the subect''
shortly after, Davis into Barksdaes room, the
4 latter following Davis remarked to witness and
johnson, II wish you to recolect, gentlemen, that
Captain Barksdale has challenged me, and ! have
agreed TO meet him " words 10 that effect; Baris-
10 I'll. uced Kim
the statement, when Barksoae became much excit-
ed; his lips assumed n livid whieness-stalnped his
| foot upon the floor, and exclaimed again, it was
! false; Ut that moment witness thinks Davis struck
| Barhsdale with his hand, and they both came to-
| gether simultaneously; witness and johnson imme-
| diately endeavored TO separate them-witness did
not know at the moment that Davis had a knife
and Immediately caught hold of Davis arm. above
the elbow. and pressed it close to his body, and
called in Rogan, the proprietor Of tie hoiel Davis
continued to cut at Barksdaic, when Rogan also
caught him, and with bin assistance they were
parted witness looking at Davis when he
struck-did not see Barksdale at that moment-it
was possible for Barksdalc to have struck first with
out witness seeing it, as his attention was fixed Ut
the tine on DAVIS; the trst blow witness saw given
| came frcm Davis
DR.. George P. Crump sworn am the physician
| in attendance on Captain BArksdale; was called to
see him On Friday evening, after the difficulty;
examined his wounds, numbering ten or eleven; none
serious or likely to prove fatal thinks Captain
| Barksdale will be up in two or three days.
| In addition to the testimony TAKEN Davis made a
voluntary statement, which Is thus reported in the
Wing -
He (Dsyis) said that when Captain Barksdae in.
vted him to go to his room, he supposed it for
the purpose OF making some arrangements as to the
discussion which was to take place between them
| that evening But rs soon as Captain Barksdale
entered his (Davis) room with him, he lBarksdaie)
commenced abusing him violently. He Davis)
thereupon invited Barksdae 70 leave his room, as
| be did not want any difficulty with him." Barksdae
refused to 30 upon the invitation, but continued his
violence, and stated that Davis should fight and
| challenged him to do so. Davis Immediately &C.
cepted the challenge and said that he would fight
him with pistols, at ten PAGES, in Alabama, mmedi.
atey beyond the line, opposite Columbus, Mississippi
and that they would leave for the spot early in the
morning" Barksdae then proposed that they
should fight it out at once which he Davis refused
to do, it dark, but reiterated his acceptance
of Captain Barksdales challenge, as before related
and proceeded to The room Of Barksdae, adjoining
| where Mr.. johnson and Mr.. Walker were, followed
| by Barksdale. When he called upon those gentlemen
to bear witness to the fact Of Captain Barksd ale
challenge ard his acceptance, he thinks he also
stated the terms and place Of the fight. At this
| time Barksdale denounced Davis statement al
false, and struck him with his fist which he Davis)
attempted to ward Oft and then he (Davis) opened
his pocket knife (Which he exhibted) and com
menced cutting Barksdale.
On learning that Colonel Davis had sought a Ger
tifcate Of a conversation that occurred between
them, he was somewhat indignant because it seemed
to convey suspicion Oh the part Of Davis, that he
| (B) would not make the same statement at al
times; heEce he sought an interview with him, and
denounced his conduct. Davis complained of his de
| nuncaton, as q grievance, and Barksdale proposed
If he desired satisfaction, to give it him at short
| notice opposite this city, in louisiana whereas
Davis wanted to settle 1t at some future time in Ala
bama, near the city Of Columbus. Captain b. OBJ
eced TO this claiming the right to name time place
weapons, Sc, and desiring to settle the difficulty al
4 rliaSt rfr tipahI
into the adjoining room Davis commenced giving o
version cf the agreement different from the fore
! eoirg, and Barksdale pronounced il false twice
! ard personal collision ensued He (Barksdae)
had weapons whatever about his pers M an agree
| mcnt having been entered into between the parties
| that LeitEor Shoud 20 armed.
DAYS was bound over by the Mayor 10 appear NJ
| the next term of the Criminal Court OF Warren