Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-04-04
From the Buckingham Register
Mr.. Wise ara the rCiIley Duel.


We have often heard it charged by the
opponents Of Mr. Wise, that he was very
much 10 blame for his conduct in connec-
tiGn with the CiIIeY duel. We have long
been convinced that if all the facts in the
case were fully known, that every unpre-
JUDGED mind would be forced to the con.
clusion that, in that affair, Mr.. Wise's
conduct was altogether proper, and above
reproach. We have heard. from his own
lips, an explanation Of his conduct, to
which VIZ give entire credence, and which
fully excul patcs him from all blame. Be-
low will be found an extract of a letter to
Mr.. Barrett, a gentleman now in this
town, from Mr.. ByingEon, who was in the
Washington ArmOry at Washington city.
when the duel occurred, and is now the
Master Armorer at Harper's Ferry. which
not 0 ,Iy acquits Mr.. Wise of all blame,
but shows how exceedingly anxious he
was that the affair between Graves and
Cilley should be settled without resort to
arms. MIR. Byington is a gentleman Of
high standing and responsibility, and the
statement he makes may be fully relied
upon. The extract from his letter is as
follows:
''ln regard to that part Of your letter in
which you say: About one subject as II
democrat cannot be Indifferent, when
see the standard bearer OF the Democra
cy of Old Virginia wounded in the house
of his friends, by repeated assertions thai
IL. A. Wise was the principal abbetIor in
the death Of Mr.. Cilley by Mr.. Graves
Aud that you desire me to state briefly, in
writing, what heard Mr.. Wise say in The
matter, as the party left my Cffics at the
Washington Arsenal, on the morning Of
the duel.
"In an wer, it gives me sincere Plea
sure TO comply with your request, and if
by what can truthfulIy say in the mat
ter of that unfortunate duel will relieve
the minds OF the public, or even one hui
man being in feeling unkindly towards Mr..
Wise, on account of the part he took in
that affair. it will be a source Of great sa-
tistactiOn to me, and doing but an act Of
justice to Mr.. Wise, who, know, has
been cruelty misn represented in the Cilley
duel. About the matter of this duel
kacw but little, only as rumor stated. un-
til the morning of the day on which it
occurred. On that morning. a little before
sunrise, party of gentlemen came to my
office At the Washington Arsenal among
whom were Mr.. Wise and MIR. Graves
The other gentlemen | also knew. they
were seven or eight in all, and all mem
bers Of Congress and Senators. was
requested 10 examine a rifle they had
with them, and have it cleaned and to
adjust the triggers. l "cquiesced, and tie
rifle was adjusted and cleaned AS reques-
ted. In the meantime An animated con-
Versation was going on between the gen
tlemen, on the sui ject Of the approaching
duel. In this conversation Mr.. Wise par
ticipatcd. ami remarked with upIifted
hands, with great EN- phasis: Gentle
men in the name Of God can nothing be
done to stop this n,atter?' But | am
sorry 10 say that not one Of the gentlemen
there present responded in the affirmative
of this heartfelt aud powerful appeal Of
Mr.. Wise. AIR. Graves was then in an
other room. The party suon after left for
the fatal scene. the sequel Of conversation
that morning whilst at ray Office. Mr..
Wise manifested to my mind. strong de-
sire 10 settle The matter AmicabIy"