The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-06
Hon. George IGoDuffle q Col. cumminr.

SAvps oseSou DueiS ana DucihuB, Dy lsO-
renzo Sabine. We give below the authors
account of the duel between the Hon. George
McDufie and Col. Cumming of Georgia, to-
gcther with the remarks Of the reviewer.
In his statement Of the sfflirs Mr. Sabine
appears to have fallen into Some impor tant
errors which we are glad to see thus set
right before the public.-Carotina Spartan
"McDuffie, George, a distinguish d states
man Of South Carolina, and Col. Cumming,
ofGeorgia. Near Sisters Ferry" s. C. June
9Th, 1922, with pistols. An article appear
ed in a Georgia paper In favor of the preten.
Sims Of MIR. CraS ford, and against those of
Mr. Calhoun, to the Presidency of the Uni
ted States, which drew reply from gen.
tleman ofScnth Carolina. The Georgia wri-
ter,rejoincd. assuming that the South Caro-
lima writer was Mr. McDuffie; while that
gentleman replied, in thu belief that his op.
ponent was Colonel Cumming Both were
mistaken; but no explanation was made on
either side, though it is understood that Mr..
McDuffie assented and Colonel Cumming
objected to proposition to submit the dis.
pute to the decision Of friends =.
Colonel Cumming desired to fight in
round jackets; or shirt-sleeves his opponent
suggested; "or frock or surtout coat" The
change was assented to, and tho former ap-
peared on the ground in frock and pantaloons
Of cotton and linen, the latter in similar gar
ments of silk. The prcliminares arranged,
the n,rfiaa ynra an,nmonod 20 ~ Z. ,>l,.o,
and exchanged shots at the distance of ten
PAGES, Mr.. McDufiic's ball struck the ground
about four PAGES from his own feet while
the bullet Of his antagonist entered h,s back
obliquely. just below the short ribs, and in.
flicted wound from which he never rccov-
cred. .
This duel gave rise TO much newsp lp,r
wit and gossip. The Chronicle published
at Augusta, Ga, gave the publc, as it stated
an authentic account of The alf,ir, in which
it was slid that Col. Cummings pistol was
loaded for the side, not for the buck, for the
resistance OF common drapery, not Of sever
nj fohls of strong silk, &c. The general
tone Of this article was ag,ins. Mr.. McDur.
te, and gave the impression th1t his conduct
was dishnaorablc, not only in the prepara-
tion OF his dress, but ia retiring from the
field after a single shot These statements
were assumed TO bs true by editors in differ
ent ptrts Of the country. and afforded mate
rials for free and severe comments. But it
may well be doubted whether the distinyuiSli-
ed statcsmin Of South Carolina is Justly lia-
bic TO ccnsurc upon either accusation. As
regards the discon,inuancc of the combat. i,
Is in pro0f Inst he acted upon the opinion of
the surgeons of both parties, who, as the re-.
suit Of 4 consultation, declared his inability
10 proceei while in tho matter Of dress there
is no evidence, as am aware. that his silk
frock had more than single and a common
lining. That the surgeons were right in
their conclusion Is manifest; for Mr.. McDue
fie's wound, as already remarsed, was the
cause of serious phy ysical prostration during
his long life"
There arc several errors in this paragraph,
which mixes mp the matter of three affaifs in
one. Mr. Sabine has erred. in adopting any
OF the statements Of rabid antagonist news
pipers at the time, or in adopting those only
ofone side. II the Georgi, press sought to
ridcule MeDnaie, that Of South Carolina
returned the compliment, in kind. to Cum
ming Nobody now, and hardly then, ever
supposed either Of the combatants TO b. COW
Hrdly, ,or That McDaffie or Cunning proceed.
ed unE'irly; thoash some of the proceedings
were subject 10 much Diplomatic discussion
---the result, really, Of an pmicable solicitude
on the part Of their respective friends, 10
mitigate as muehsas possible, the dangers Of
The meeting of two such eminent persons
Cnmming is man--he sti liyes--of the
highest .ank for talent and character 10 Geor-
gia. McDuffie's reputation is too well known
for comment. / note that Mr.. Sabine sug-
ges,s that they were not the writer's of the
article respectively laid to their charge. and
which pFsdused tho ducls; but my opinion
is TINT they did write them. or ut least took
considerable part IN the performa .ce,--
They met, FIRST, at the Sisters Ferry mid.
way between Savannah and Augusta, and
MeDufie was shot In the hip. In the next
ntfair, they went up to tho North Carolina
line, and hers a dilirulty arose between the
seconds abou, the plan Of operations. and
the matter was adjourned. Tie third meet
ing took place at Campbclt0n on tho Caroli-
na side Of the Savannah river. .Two shots
were exchanged. AT the seeond fire, Me-
Dufilc received the bnllet Of his adversary.
In the small Of his hack, and had bis left nru,
broken. The wound was not mortal. bat il
left him in 8 wretched state of infirmiiy.
which kept him lingering invalid for the
resi Of his days. ! believe these are The
ssbssan.iai facts in the ease. Tho angry
and sirdictive passions which misreprescnt-
cd u 50 grossly on both sides are all done
sway with and nobody in the South dreams
Of sueb absurditiss now as Mr.. Sabine has
unfortunately pot ca record. I trust tia,
he will reyise his stiscmept, snd ex paDge the
offensive poriIons os his narrative in future
editions
II is siia mush satisfaction that am able
to report tie perfect ana anlicable reconcile.