Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-28

| 1t was. however, withheld for reasons salts
factory to myself. now request Its inser
| ton.
| | deem it unnecessary to make any addi-
ton or Comment as | do not think any eau
doubt the Justification of Mr.. ClemaDs in
sending the challenge. The justification for
his subsequent course, as that OF myself,
must be decided upon according to the facts
as here submitted. Very respectfully,
G. IRVING.
A CARD --RIcuMlND, 18th Sept. 1853
Having heard various rumors with reference
to the difficulty between the Hon. Sherrard
Clemens and O. Jennings Wise, esq, and,
coucedipg the justice Of criticism upon the
seconds 10 allowing the exchange Of four
shots, IN tie absence Of a kHoc'edye Ct facts,
| deem it but proper 10 give the pu6hc those
facts, and to allow them to decide upon whom
rests the RESPONSE billty of the result.
% the 10th of September, at the request
of Mr.. Clemens, | delivered to Mr.. o.. Wise
a challenge, which was accepted, and for ar
engagements was referred to Mr.. L. L. CHS
man. The challenge was based upon an Cd
itorial in the Enquirer, which Mr.. Clemens
ment, the parties were 10 meet at or near sun
rise, at the Fairfield Race Course, on Friday,
the l7tb, and both parties bad the liberty Of
selecting one outside friend in addition to :;
surgeon Before tie hour fixed, the parties
were on the field. Pryor was requested by
MIR. Clemens to go with him and consented
to do SO, with tue understanding that he
would have no connection with the matter
whatever, aud that be might be useful IN the
event of Mr.. Clemens being wounded, Or 10
effect an accommodation. Mr.. Geo. Rjtchle
was upon the field as the outside friend of
Mr.. Wise. accompanied by DR.. - as
surgeon. DR.. ~ Was the surgeon Of Mr..
Clemens As soon as convenient, aud With
out any propositions Of amicable adjustment
by the friends of either party, the distance
item paces) was measured by the seconds,
and the Pistols loadsd. Before rehears
ing the word as to be given, the rrinc
pals were brought together, each exoHang-
ing the ordinary salutatons. They we're
then put in position and wea! ons banG-
ed them. Mr.. Irving, who had won the
the word, then gave it 10 tn" usual manner,
wbereupon both principals fired deliberately
but without effect Mr.. Pryor then came
men had viujicated their honor, asked
if the affair could not be settled without
proceeding further Mr.. Irving replied
that be desired an adjustment If cousis-
tent with the honor Of Mr.. Clemens, and,
as evidence Of that feeling, he Withdrew the
challenge for the time. Mr.. Chisman asked
to see Mr. Wise, and returned with the reply
from Mr.. Wise that il the challenge was
Withdrawn, aud Mr.. Clemens satisfied, II was
all right, and that they would leave the held,
but, If withdrawn for explanation, Mr.. Wise
declined all explanations of his article, as
he honestly believed every word OF It. Mr..
Irving then said that as explanations were
refused, Mr.. Clemens had no honorable OF
ton but TO demand another fire, and the
seconds proceeded TO load. After the second
fire witb0u. effect, Mr.. Irving again withdrew
the challenge, and proposed to refer the
whole matter to the friends Of the parties
upon the field, and announced his entire
readiness to abdc their decision. lhis
proposition was understood to meet the ap-
prevail of both Mr.. Richie, the outside
friend Of Mr.. Wise, as also OF hls sur
geor. 1t was, however, rejected by MT
Wise. Still de-iryus Of adjusting the mat
ter, and, from that feeling teGnrdinS P"nt-
tilio. Mr.. Irving requested Mr.. kltchle to ask
Mr.. Wise if no accommodation was possible
Mr.. Richie returned, after conVerslng Win
MIR. Wise, and stated that there was none.
Mr. Irving then demanded the third lire
which was also without eject. Mr.. Pryor
then proposed the following terms ct accom-
mediation, which were read to MIR. Wise, who
remarked in reply, that it was matter Tor
the seconds to decide. Mr.. Chisman, the
second of Mr.. Wise, then declined to sign
the parnr. Here is the statement as drawn
up by Mr.. Pryor:
"Nessrs Wise and Clemens having met
and exchanged shots three times, IN our oplr-
ion their honor in entirely Wind Gated, and we
insist that they be Withdrawn from tue h.il
by their seconds"
Accordingly they were withdrawn by their
respective seconds.
This pruposition was understood to have
received the concurrence Of bmth MIR. Nise'-
surgeon and Mr.. Richie. After It's REJECTION
MIR. Irving stated to Mr.. Chisman tina: he
withdrew MIR. Clcmeus irom the he'd, anu
would appeal to the public; and thai IN 50
doing be intended 10 + tiecnon upon hlm,
but. az a meter Of course, would be wiling
TO assume such responsibilities to others as
might attach to such publication. The par
ties were preparing to leave the field wnen
Mr.. Clemens, hearing the facts ir1m his
surgeon. and with The belief that the result
of such publication would involve Ms. Irving
in collision with Mr. Wise, came forward and
protested against his withdrawal under such
circumstances, and appealed to Mr. Irving 10
continue his services. AT er some cJn1crsa'
tion with Mr. Clemens, Mr.. Irving agreed u
continue as his friend, and the challenge was
renewed.
The fourth fire being inevitable at this
stage. Mr.. Pryor stated in The presence OF
the other party, that the affair hal gone lar
snouph. and that he would not farther eoun-
,enance the matt'r Hy ais presence, anu re-
tired from the field.
On the fourth fire Mr.. Clemens was shot
through the ;high, and fell.
Such are the facts, which | am conhdent
M friend of either party Will contr"d'ct'-
Tn. public can decide upon when rests toe
responsibility of this continued prosecution Oh
rho affair 70 so serious result. Whatever
the consequences, fee! the conc'"nsnes' o.
having done everything that gentiemah
could do 70 accommodate the meter, ~
spectful!y,
The magnificent watch ana a"n'oin'p d.
intended as a present to Lieut.. H. d. re-