Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-02
A CARD.
RICHMOND, 18th September, 1856


the difficulty between the Hon. Sherrard Glenn
ems and o. Jennings W Use, Esq :, and, conceding
that justice Of criticism upon the seconds in al
lowing the exchange of four shots, IN the absence
of a kaopi.dgs Of facts, / deem 1t but proper to
give the public those facts and to allow them to
decide upon whom rests the responsibility of the
result.
On the 18th of September. at the request of
Mr.. Clemens, delivered to Mr.. q. j. Wise a
challenge, which was accepted and for arrange
ments ! was referred to Mr.. I. p. Chisman The
challenge was based upon an editorial In the En-
quirer, which Mr.. Clemens regarded as a DELHI
crate insult. BY arrangement the parties were to
meet at or near sunrise, at the Fairfield Race
Course, on Friday, the 18th, and both parties
had the right of selecting one outside friend, in
addition to a surgeon. Before the hour fixed the
parties were on the field. Mr.. Pryor was request
ed to do so with the understand ing that he would
have no connection with the matter whatever,
and that he might be useful In the event Of Mr..
Clemens being wounded, or to effect an accom-
mediation Mr. George Richie was upon the
field as the outside fiend of MIR. Wise, accom-
panied by Dr. - as surgeon. DIR. - was
the surgeon OF Mr. Clemens As soon as conve
nient, and without any propositions of amicable
adjustment by the friends Of either party the dis
lance (ten paces) was measured by the seconds
and the pistols loaded. Before rehfa arising the
word as to be given, the principals were brought
together, each exchanging the ordinary saluta-
tions. They Were then put in position and
weapons handed them. Mr.. Irving, who had
won the word, then gave 1t in the usual manner,
whereuPon both principals deliberately fred,
but without effect Mr. Pryor then came for
ward, and, remarking that both gentlemen had
not be settled without proceeding further. Mr..
Irving replied that he desired an ad justment il
consistent with the honor Of Mr.. Clemens and
as evidence Of that feeling, he withdrew the
challenge for the time. Mr.. Chisma m asked TO
see Mr.. Wise, and returned with the reply from
Mr.. Wise that IL the challenge was withdrawn
and Mr.. Clemens satisfied it was all right and
they would leave the field but, II Withdrawn for
explanation, MIR. w Use declined all II plantations
Of his article, he honestly believed every word
of it. Mr.. Irving then said K plantations were
refused, Mr.. Clemens had no honorable option
but to demand another fire, and the seconds pro-
ceeded to load
After the second fire without effect, Mr. Irving
again withdrew the challenge, and proposed to
refer the whole matter to the friends of the par
ties upon the field, and announced his entire
readiness to abide their decision This PROPOSE
ton was understood to meet the approval OF both
MIR. Richie, the outside friend of Mr. Wise az
also Of his surgeon. II was, however, rejected
by Mr.. Wise. Still DESTROYS Of adjusting the
matter, and, from that feeling, disregarding
PGnetiHo, MIR. Irving requested Mr.. Richie to
ask Mr.. Wise if no accommodation was possible
Mr.. Richie returned after conversing with Mr.
Wise, and stated that there was none.
Mr.. Irving then demanded the third fire, which
was also without effect. Mr.. Pryor then pro-
posed the following terms Of accommodation
which was read to Mr.. Wise, who remarked in
reply, that II was matter for the seconds to de-
eide Mr.. Chisman, the second Of Mr. w Use
statement as drawn up by Mr. Pryor
Mtssrs. w Use and Clemens having met and
exchanged shots three times, in our opinion their
honor is entirely vindicated, and we insist that
they De Withdrawn from the field by their Sec
ondsD
Accordingly they were Withdrawn by their re-
spective seconds.
This proposition was understood to have re-
ceived the concurrence Of both Mr.. Wise's sur
geon and Mr. Richie. After its rejection Mr.
Irving stated 10 Mr. Chisman that he withdrew
r. Clemens from q I'll nd
to the public; and that in doing he intended
no reflection upon him. but matter Of course
would be willing to assume such RESPONSE bility
to others as might attach to such publication
The parties were preparing to leave the field
when Mr.. Clemens, hearing the facts from his
surgeon, and with the belief that the result of
such publication would involve Mr. Irving in
collision with Mr.. Wise, came forward and pro-
tested against his withdrawal under such cir
cumstances, and appealed to Mr.. Irving to con-
tinue his services. Afier some conversation with
Mr. Clemens, MT. living agreed to 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 had gone far enoug h. and
that he would not farther countenance the matter
by his presence, and retired from the field
On the fourth lire MIR. Clemens was shot tn ron oh
the thigh, and fell.
Such are the facts, which / am confident no
friend OF either party will contradict. The pub
lie can decide upon whom rests the responsibility
OF this continued prosecution Of the affair to so
feel the consciousness Of having done everything
that gentleman could do to accommodate the
matter Respectfully, c IRVING