Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-08
The nlodensburg Duelling Ground.

corresnondent of the Joritnal of Commerce,
who has been soiourning at the pleasant village OF
Bladensburg, gives an interesting sKe'ch oil Inc
duelling grounds in that vicinity
In taking walk with my friend on the Wash
inpton road he pointed out the duelllng grounds,
where so manv men have fought and fallen. The
duelsts usually selected spot on the Maryland
side as retired as possibe SO as to be out oi the
reach of eve-witnesses The most common place
was ravine, deeply shaded, yet having anopen-
ino sufficiently broad to admit of fair shooting;
such an onenino as used to be admired by DIR.
Chalmers with all the enthusiasm of an ardent
lover of nature. 1t was such spot as mignt De
deemed sacred to the glory OF the creator oil tne
woods, the waters, the hills ana the Vales. -
me every grove seems invested with a KIND Oh
sanctity. as the handiwoHk of God, and fitting
nI.ce for reflection and alteration. Yes, there is
an adorinp silence there. But now the place Is
invaded by men who essie, not to worship, but to
fobtl What desecraion That was the spot
where Decatur fell, shot by his brotber officer,
Rarrop. and they were there in deadly, hostile
meeting, to prove their courage; 10 Vinolca'e tne,
honor. Yonder is the place where Zen. MASON
and John McCarty fired at each other with mus
kets. whose muzzes almost touched. savage
ried home to his family dying. and McCarty LETT
To live wears of agony for killing his relative
,hey were cousins. He died few months since.
That discharge of firearms scattered the flesh OF
the wounded man about, till the loose pieces were
seen sticking to the adjacent bushes. MY iriehu
saw them
I'm one occasion. two medical students arrived
with their friends in hacks from Baltimore. far
hp
There is something about the operation SO Solemn
quilt. like mysterious and deadly, thai u Puo,ISn-
es itself to the first spectator in the vicinity ne
student shot his classmate dead, and hurried "a d
way. The friends of the slaughtered youth ili'-
ed his corpse into the carriage, and returned m 10
wretchedness to bury it out of sight! Inc ias'
duel fought here was between TWO oou'neinei''
who came quite distance to fire at each other.-
One of them think his name was Jones-was
shot through the head, and expired on the grouno'
The cause ofthe quarrel was Jealousy. Ue.e,a'!y
the causes have been trlflng, and win l,'ie III
genuty on the part of friends, the qnarrei may
easily he settled, and wounded honor "hermetlc
ally healed" as Uncle Toby has it. Many du-
els have thus been prevented at washington OF
late years Since Congress enacted duellng a
neniientary offence, which was done alter the
mnrderous affair between Graves and Cilley,
these controversies have been terminated without
a resort to arms Jenifer of Maryland, and by,
mum of North Carolina, went out to settle small
difficulty, and fired at each other number OF
times without injury.
MANY wounded, many dying man have the
Badensburg people seen brought to their doors Tor
relief. but they now cherish theShope that those
scenes of blood will never be renewed amid the
peaceful so!itudes that skirt their little village
For the honor of our country, and the peace o Inc
domestic circle, may that hope not be dlsapPoint-
ii