The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-27
TERMS OF THE COMBAT.


arrangements contemplated 10 the past CORES
between himself and Mr.. o. J. Wise. propose y
within the Maryland line as the place of meetiag
| point will BIS selected about IL miles frou
ROCK creek Shnrch-the party first arriving await
| irg the approach Of the other further propos
the following terms, viz Weapons - Dazzling ps
tols Dlstsnce-ten PAGES. Postons-Priacipals t. b.
60 stationed that the line OF Ore shall be perpendcu,r Of
al right angles to the line OF light Distance 10 be me
sureo and pistols to be loaded In presence OF all ptes
Tue seconds shall toss for choice Of word poion
Inc winner shall give the word choose position
option and the other second shall have the ater Jatvn
the word shall be given with the customary delb
shall pse bsfore Ss wora saa
word stop" Principals to hold pistols and face
his own option, except that, before the word e. east
weapon shall be pointed at right angles TO the line Of
The second entitled to the word shall rehearse distinctly
TO the principals before being armed and pos .d
mode In which he will give the words above named Each
principal after being posted will remain until reno sd
by hh second. The number on each side shall be f,u
viz; principal, two friends and surgeon. am, sr
very respectfully, your obedent servant,
DIR. JuNIus ARCHER. j LUCIUS DAVIS
OCCURRENCES ON THE FIELD
MI. Wise and his two friends left Browns Hotel
Washington, D. C., at IN O'Clock, A. NJ, on Saturday
August co. proceeded by the way OF Genwood Cens.ery
TO point one mile and half beyond Rock Creek Church
at which place finding none Of the other party, toey
passed the nearest point of the Maryland line taking
care to station sentnes at each OF the two forgs OF the
road between the two latter mentioned places These
sentnes instructed 70 direct the carriages OF the
other party when they should appear.
The drst named party was on the ground at about four
the exact place Of rendezvous the challenging party did
not arrive until 5si O'Clock A M
Mr. Old was accompanied by DR., Junus Archer, OF
Chesterfield county Va, and Hon. James A. Ssddon, OF
Geo Inland county, Va
Mr. wise accompanied by Colonel ]. Lucus Davis,
OF Henrico county Va and Colonel Warner raiaferro
Jr, Of Matthew's county Va, Each principal also
attended by surgeon
The then proceeded to select and measure the
ground Dr. Archer then expressed regret that
OF meeting had been delay the having rsen the
glare Of light would be very painful 70 Mr. Olds eyes,
which were much diseased aud Dr. Archer suggested tn 1t
the terms OF the duel should be varied such
TO secure Mr. Ola position which would place his back to
the sun.
Col Davis reported this suggestion to bis principal Mr.
Wise desired Col DAVIS TO accede TO the suggestion Tns
advice Foet the approval OF Col Davis who Immediately
sgnled to Dr. Archer his coincidence and tina. Of
his principal, with DR.. Archer's suggestion COL Davis
then remarked to the following eeot:-'T suppose gen
temen we toss up for the w,rd; do we? Col Davis
deIstood Mr.. Olds friends TO assent
Col Taiaferfo after protested against the
adopted; he thought this would yield advantage
the other party. and that second ought to
the heavy responsibility of such a concession. Colonel
Davis replied that he was wiling any time to take
the place Of his princpal tna he assured the
tore OF the positions would not in event,
obstruot the vision OF his piucpal that he desired
his principal TO assume moral position Of generosity
his adversary, for which SO favorable opportunity
offered THIS conference was, oil COURSE held apart from
the other party.
Colonel Davis then announced to Dr. Archer that in
consequence OF Col 1Aaerros objection he felt called
to reconsider the asson us; given Dr. Archers sug
gestop. Dr. Archer replied that in case the suggestion
right 20 give the word Col Davis regarding Col Taa
ferros objection virtually overruled by Mr. Wse then
announced TO the other party that he felt authorized to
accete to the suggestion of Dr. Archer and that he
Davis, assumed the whole responsibility OF such assent
The seconds then proceeded inspect and load the ps
Davis explained and repeated distinctly the mann ar in
which be should give the word Ths principals then
downMr Wise held his up. The seconds then took posi-
tons on each side OF the line Of fire. facing each other
ana at equal distances from the principals:
fha Tha a-zJ
neeusy between the words "one and 'two"-both with
out effect
Col. Davis asked whether further satisfaction was de-
msodedf
Mr.. Odds second replied as follows
sBeng the challenging and, he considers, the ag-
ustment but suspend the challenge to ALLOW the oppor
tunity to the other party to make any, If desired"
10 which Mr.. Wise dictated the following answer
~ not only believe, but am fully convinced, that am
the sggreved party that the challenge which have been
forceoto accept was unnecessarily given can make no
To which Mr.. Olis second replied
"My principal can only renew his challenge and de.
TIE principals holding weapons and principals aud So
conds taking position, before, Dol Davis gave the
word Mr. Wise fired rst-shortIy after the word one''-
Mr.. Old firing Immediately afterwards Both fires
inc fectual.
Col Davis approached first Mr. Wise, then Mr. Old to
ascertain whether either was hit Col Davis next re.
turned with Col ralaferro to Mr. Wise. Col Davis
ed "wnat shall be done now? or something to that effect.
Mr. Wise replied
ssNothing; keep silence We will await their action
Col Talaferro then withdrew to mold come conversation
with Mr. Seldom.
within hearing, substantially rs follows
"irI now INFORM you that another soot Ia exchanged
VIII withdraw :N from my position a; second unless am
replied TO the following eect''If that is your final de
cision SIR shall be obliged dsmiss you a. once fron
Iahaierro's assistance
Colonel DAVIS replied that Mr.. Vice had heard him
out. He had signifed hs intention withdraw unless
allowed to D,ace
that he had UNDERSTOOD that Colonel Davis was per-
uniting himself 70 be carried too far by generous i'm
permitted would disgrace him eMr. wss5 WniIs M
Wse was able TO SAND erect second should take
place on the field Ct combat Colonel Davis remonstra ed
| 10 thig effect
"when took the responsibility Of yielding advantage
to your adversary then declared my willingness to take
your place. The time has arrived wnen It is proper for
me to do go II my BON occupied your position, would
permit him to stand there forever TO be shot at You
are my friend, and the son OF my friend, and have
announced beforehand my willingness TO accept this
| responsibility"
This conversation was interrupted by the
the part of Mr. ODDS second that the challenge was
pended, with the expressed hope that conference
among the friends of the parties present some kind OF
satieacory adjustment might be devised
The proposed conference then carried by
Of communications between Mr. Seldom and Col Talafsr-
the voluntary and unofficial suggestion of the other
and not intended TO represent the declarations Of prn
cipas.
AN EXPLANATION ON THE PART OF MR. WISE.
When this conference commenced at once determined
to advise and direct the action Of my friends
that in doing 30 may have stepped beyond the limits
prescribed by my position Ia the commencement of my
correspondence with Mr. Old had already gone far
10 direct the tenor Of that correspondence such
as 10 necessate the withdrawal of what considered
virtual challenge from Mr. Old in order to permit
an explanation on my part, which, felt convinced
he must regard satisfactory On the withdrawal Of his
,st letter such an explanation was given 1t was follow
ed BY peremptory challenge. After the first exchange
OF hres the challenge being suspended, had protested
against the challenge as uncaled for This protest
answered by an immediate renewal OF the alenge.
could no. then regard my position strictly considered
permitting me to 40 than to remain silent on the
feld subject 70 Mr. ODDS call for acknowledgment OF
| satisfaction.
Nevertheless after this conference proposed by the
other party, determined TO give my friends the full as
sSapce OF my advice to aid their unofficial efforts to ind
cate 10 the friends OF Mr. Old In which the
affair could be properly and peaceably concluded This
| did for the following reasons
l. My friends, immediately after the proposal for con
ference, expressed to their ungIlngness make Il
the friends Of Mr. Old any suggestion endorse any
suggestion made BY the latter previous to obtaining my
] approval of the same.
e. Recprocatipg entirely their confidence in nv judg