The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-17
DUELS AT HEIDELBERG.
| Correspondence Of the NelO YorL: Tribune.

HEIDELBERG, Germany, Aug. I6, 1859.
went the other morning with many as six
teeR Americans to see some duels. We met at
| A. M. on the bridge which spans the Neckar. and
as we saw the members of various societies 90 over
we followed, and soon at the lane which leads
up to the hotel where, in the different rooms, were
the respective members Of these respectable (?) So
cIeties. All was mystery. No one knew ANYTHING
OF what would occur. The students were running
to and fro with swords and wearing apparel such
as lighting gauntlets, long boots, etc. About s
o CLOCK signal was given that all ready, when
tle swords OF each party were placed in barn near
Dy, where the fighting was to take place But sud-
denly policeman seen to come in the direction
OF the house, when all the swords were secreted
%Ihuer % IAe moor OF wood-shed, and from the hotel
hurrled forth in hot haste the two parties Creadv
Tor the light accompanied by their seconds and
the doctors, in the direction of the woods behind
the house.
The remaining parties all ordered beer, coffee
soup, cigars, &C., which was to cover the whole af
1alr In case the police should appear Thought il
was capital scheme of the landlord to get the no.
lice there about that time as we were all hungry,
anu anu ne maze money by the operation. After all
had breaktasted, the belligerent parties came
sneaking back from the hills, and were soon led
forth by their seconds to said barn. and the dueIs
commenced. The combatants are well protected
from iron injury, save their heads, which are BARE
Their right arm is wound with cloth until it is AS
blg as mans thigh, and too heavy to hold: it is
supported, when not fighting, by the seconds The
neck is also wound with cloths to the ears to pro-
tecI the JuSulars Inc swords are about four feet
long, threefourths of an inch wide, blunt-pointed
with rough edge, being regular fencing swords
II all is ready they begin, and endeavor to cut
each other only on the head or face If the swords
are bent or broken the parties are stopped by the
seconds who examine the wounds, sew them up if
necessary, straighten the swords and the fighting
recommences.
For fifteen minutes this continues, unless one of
the parties gives out, or they declare their revenge
satisfied. Now and then an or a nose is cut Off
and always more or less sashes given across the
scalp, forehead or face. These marks are regarded
as honorable distinctions giving evidence ofbrave-
ry on the part Of the bearer. That morning saw
no less than eight duels At lO% all was finished
the cut heads bound up, the parties satisfied, sui-
cient lager beer drank, when all returned to Held
elberg. The police knew full well when they saw
so many students what had occurred, but as a Ger
man woman said to me- they 'put their hands be-
fore their eyes when the students 90 over the riy
er" Seven hundred students could overpower the
police in case they were inclined, and hence the
duelng is allowed, as many disgusting things are
elsewhere Certainly have never seen fighting
more indicative of cowardice (f endcavors to pre-
vent being hurtwould indicate it) than in this man
ner ofduelling with SchIagers or swords.