Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-10-20
The Wise and Clemens Duel in Virginia
 STATEMENT FROM ONE OF THE SECONDS.


 Richmond, Sept. IS, 1858.
 Having heard various rumors with reference to the difficulty between the Hon. Sherrard Gle mems and o. Jennings Wise, esq.,, and conced- ing that justice of criticism upon the seconds in allowing the exchange of four shots, in the ab- sence of knowledge of facts, deem it but proper to give the public those facts, and to a- low them to decide upon whom rests the respon slbility of the result.
 On the 18th of September, at the request of MT. Clemens, delivered to MT. O. J. Wise challenge, which was accepted, and for arrange ments l was referred to Mir. T. P. Chisman.- The challenge was based upon an editorial in the Enquire, which Mr. Clemens regarded as deliberate insult. By arrangement the parties were to meet at or near sunrise, at the Fairfield race course, on Friday, the 17th and both par ties had the liberty of selecting one outside friend In addition to a surgeon. Before the hour fixed the parties were on the field. Mr. Pryor was requested by MT. Clemens to 90 with him, and consented to do so, with the under standing that lie would have no connection with the matter whatever, and that he might be use- ful in the event of Mir. Clemens being wound ed or to effect an accommodation MT. George Richie was upon the field as the outside friend of MT. Wise, accompanied by Dr. - as sur- geon. Dr. - was the surgeon of MT. Gle mens. As soon as convenient, and without any propositions of amcable adjustment by the friends of either party, the distance (ten paces) was measured by the seconds and the pistols loaded. Before rehearsng the word to be given the principals were brought together, each ex- changing the ordinary salutations They were then put Tn position and weapons handed them. Mr. Irving, who had won the word, then gave 1t in usual manner, whereupon both principals hred deliberately, but without effect. Mr. Pryor, then came forward, and, remarking that both gentlemen had vndicated their honor ask ed If the affair could not be settled without proceeding further Mir. Irving replied that he desired an adjustment if consistent with the honor of MT. Clemens, and, as evidence of that feeling, he withdrew the challenge for the time. Mir. Chrisman asked to see Mr. Wise. and re. turned with the reply from Mr. Wise that if the challenge was withdrawn, and Mir. Clemens satisfied, it was all right, and that they would leave the field, but, if withdrawn for explana- tlon,i MT. Wise declined all explanations of his article, as he honestly believed every word of Il. MT. Irving then said that as explanations were refused Mir. Clemens had no honorable option but to demand another fire, and the se- conds proceeded to load. After the second fire without effect. MT. Irving again withdrew the challenge, and proposed to refer the whole mat ter to the friends of the parties upon the fed and announced his entire readiness to abide their decision. This proposition was under stood to meet the approval of both Mir. Ritchie. the outside friend of Mir. Wise, as also of his surgeon. It was, however. rejected by Mr. Wise. Still desrous of adjusting the matter, and, from that feeling disreg egarding punci,ho. MT. Irving requested MT. Ritchie to ask Mir. Wise II no accommodation was possible. Mir. Rltchie 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 propased the following terms of accommoda- tion, which were read to Mir. Wise, who re- marked in reply that it was matter for the seconds to decide. Mr. Chisman, the second of Mir. Wise, then declined to sign the paper.- Here Is the statement as drawn up by MT. Pryor:
 "Messrs Wise and Clemens having met and exchanged shots three times, in our opinion their honor is entirely vindicated, and we insist that they be withdrawn from the field by their seconds"
 Accordingly they were withdrawn by their respective seconds.
 Ihls proposition was understood to have re- ceved the concurrence of both Mr. Wise's sur geon and MT. Rltchie. After it's rejection MT. Irving stated to Mr. Chisman that he witdrew Mr. Clemens from the field, and would appeal to the public; and that in so doing he intended no reflection upon him, but, as a matter of course, would be willing to assume such respon. sblity to others as might attach to such publi- cation. The parties were preparing to leave the field, when Mr. Clemens, hearing the facts fr ,m his surgeon, and with the belief that the result of such publication would involve Mir. Irving in collision with Mr. Wise, came forward and protested against his withdrawal under such circumstances, and appealed to Mr. Irving to continue his services. After some conversation with MT. Clemens, MT. Irving agre eed to continue as his friend, and the challenge was renewed.
 The fourth fire being inevitable at this stage MT. Pryor stated in the presence of the other party, that the affair had gone far enough. and that he would not further countenance the mat ter by his presence, and retired from the field.
 On the fourth fire Mir. Clemens was shot through the thigh, and fell
 Such are the facts, which I am confident no friend of either party will contradict. The public can decide upon whom rests the respon- sibility of this continued prosecution of the affair to so serious a result. Whatever the con- sequences, l feel the consciousness of hav ing done every thing that gentleman could do to accomodate the matter
 c. IRVING.