Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-21
THE GAZETTE.
DUELS AT HEIDELBERG.
MORNING. SEPTEMBER 81, 1859.

Correspondence If he Ner York Trib""e.)
HEIDELBERG, Germany, Aug 10, 1861
went the other morning with as many as
sixteen Americans to see some duels We
met at Z A. Nj. on the bridge which spans
the Neckar, and as we saw the members OF
various societies 90 over we followed, and
soon were mt the lane which leads up to the
hotel where in the different rooms, were the
respective members of these respectable ~
societies. All was a mystery. No one knew
anything of what would occur. The stu
dents were running to and fro with swords
and wearing apparel, such as fighting gaunt-
lets, long boots, etc. About 8 o'clock sig
nal was given that all was ready, when the
swords of each party were placed in barn
near by, where the fighting was to take
place. But suddenly policeman was seen
TO come in the direction of the house. when
MI the swords were secreted under the floor
of wood-shed. and from the hotel hurried
forth III hot haste the two parties (ready for
the fight accompanied by their seconds and
the doctors, in the direction of the woods be-
hind the house.
The remaining parties all ordered beer
coffee, soup, cigars, &C., which was to cover
the whole affair in case the police should APP
pear. thought it was n capital scheme OF
the landlord to get the police there about
that time, as we were oil hungry, and he
made money by the operation. After all had
break tasted, the belligerent parties came
sncakng back from the hills. and were soon
led forth by their seconds to said barn, and
the duels commenced. The comhatants are
Well protected from injury; save their heads,
which are bare. Their light arm is wound
with cloth until it is rs big "a 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 protect
the iugulars The swords are about four feet
long. three-fourths of an inch wide, blunt
pointed, with a rough edge, being regular
fencing swords. If all is ready they begin,
and endeavor to cut each other only on the
head or face Ii the swords are bent or bro
ken. the parties are stopped by the seconds,
who examine the wounds, sew them upif ne
cessary, straighten the swords and the fight
ing recommences.
For fifteen minutes this continues, unless
one Of tho parties gives out, or they declare
their revenge satisfied. Now and then an
ear or nose is cut off, and always more or
less slashes are given across the scalp, fore
head or face. These marks are regarded as
honorable distinctions, giving evidence OF
bravery on the part OF the bearer. That
morning | saw no less than eight duels.--
AT l01 all was finished, the cut heads bound
up. the parties satisfied, sufficient lager beer
drank, when all returned to Heidelberg
The police knew full well when they saw 50
many students what had occurred, but, rs a
German woman said to me, they put their
hands before their eyes when the students 60
over the river" Seven hundred students
could overpower the police in case they were
inclined, and hence the duellingis allowed
as many disgusting things are elsewhere
Certainly l have never seen fighting more
indicative Of cowardice (if endeavors to pre-
vent being hurt would indicate it, than IN
this manner of duelling with schtayers OF
swords.