Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-08-20
The Duel Between Messrs Mowry and
CrOss--EXciting Scene.

iHona to Congress, and Edward l.. Cross, of
the "Arzoniam' 1twaS fought at Iubac,
i'll that Territory, on the Sth ult.
For some time the friends of the parties
had been apprchcnSivc of Il rcncountcr, both
gentlemen having indulgcd in marked Der
sonaliIcs through the press MIR. Mowry.
upon his arrival, sent demand for an apol--I
ogy, which Mr.. Cross declined making
MIR. Nlowry then demanded satisfaction ac
cording to the code Of honor recognized
among gentlemen. This was promptly re-
sponlcd to.
Mr.. George ID. Mercer acted as Lieut..
MowryS friend, and Captain John Donald
son, L. ), custom-housc officer at Caaba-
Sas, seconded Mr.. Gross The challenged
party chose rifles of the Burnside patent,
at sixty poccs. Mr. Mowry objected to
both weapons and distance as contrary to
the codc, claiming that the Burnside rife
is Il fancy piece, not otrulcnblc, without The
consent OF both parties, and giving an unfair
advantage to the ono accustomed to the
weapons His second objection was that The
rule of the code rendered it imperative that
the distance with rifles should not exceed
forty PAGES. Lieut. Mowry. Gually with
drew his objection to the weapon, and, with
the consent of Mr. Cross, the distance was
fixed at forty paccS.
The ground selected was in the immcdi
ate suburbs of'Cubac. The duel took place
about five o clock p, III. About thirty spec
tntors were present comprising nearly two
thirds ofthe-Amcrica nresidcntswithin cir
cult of fifty miles 1t was characteristic
tronticrspcctaclc. Every man on the ground
was armed with rcvolvcrs and bowie knives,
and strong partisan feelings were manifcs-
ted. The principals took their stations.
and the word was given by Mr.. George ID.
Mercer, Lieutenant NIowry's sccond.~-
Three shots were exchanged without effect.
Upon the fourth round, the cap on Mowry's
rifle did net explode. while Cross ball whis-
tied larmcssly past his antagonist. Now
! ry held his rifle still lcvclcd as an indi-
cation that he had not had his shot, and
many, not understanding the code, sup
posed that he designed trying it again Sew
efl graspcd their pistols as if to shoot him
down, and thcrc were cries of I" Hold your
fire " Don't shoot, Mowry F" Meanwhile
Cross stood perfectly calm, awaiting the re-
suit. Mr.. Mercer advanced, when NIowrv
immediately lowered his rifle and handed it
to his second. They still claimed their
/ shot as riglItrlndol the code. Mr.. Cross
unhosltatingly expressed his Willingness to
! grant 1t, but his second demurred After
comforting with several gentlemen familiar
with the code, who agreed with Mr. Mowry
that he was entitled to the shot, Capt. Don
aldSon acQuicsccd, and MIR. Cross handing
him his rifle, folded his arms, apparently
unconccrncd, and faced his antagonist.
At this stage OF the proceedings the
/ spectators became terribly cxcitcd. Many,
/ perhaps majority, thought it unfair and
some spoke of putting a summary stop to
the whole affair, but upon learning that
those present supposed to be best acGuaint-
ed with the ducllo had declared him cnt-
tied to it, they reluctantly fell back. At
the word of command, Mr.. NIowfy fred iii
the air, and declared himself satisfied
Cross had stood, with heroic vaEor, directly
facing lin, not knowing that he could rely
/ upon Ills generosity to decline firing upon
an unarmcd foe, fully expecting death, and
yet not a nerve tromblcd--not single ev-
idencc OF fear WAS displayed. His antago-
INST was completely unnamed. Tears
sprung into his eyes, and all cnmitv van
iShcd before such an exhibition. 4 brave
man could not look upon even deadly foe
thus circumstanccd~ without feeling deep
emotion
MIR. Mercer Mowry's second, crossed the
field, and taking Cross by the hand, in
formed him that Mr.. Alowry was satisfied.
They started forward to meet Mowry who
was advancing, and after shaking hands
they stood for some minutes to receive the
the congratulations of their friends. Some
one produced that inevitable black bot
tie, which, in the progress of civilization,
is always found OH the fropticrs, and after
drink all round, the cc'pany loft tho
ground.
AS both gentlemen were perfectly cool
throughout, and apparently uncmrcerncd,
you Will perhaps bc surprised that neither
was struck. Both are good shots, but there.
was very STRONG windat tho timc, making
good shooting impossible, c.pecially with
the weapons chosen for this rene ,umter.-l
The Burnside rifle weighs bnt II lbs,, is
short, and not wcll-baamccd Tho ball is
large slug, should think over one orncc
in weight. They will project ball 900
yards and like, all guns ranged for long
distances. arc not well. adapted for close
shooting. Mowry's first shot grozcd his
antagonists car, causing an Involuntary
dodge, just perez ptible, ,and Mr. Cross sec
ohd Shot caused similar movcmcn; omthc
part OF MIR. Mowry. The whole omnmu-
mty rcieiccs at the result, and we hope il
will bo, long before VIC have another 4" affair
of honor +" in our vicinity, .l..