Litchfield enquirer., 1860-06-28
nlisfcllallD.
A DUEL IN TEXAS.

A DUEL IN TEXAS.
Intimately associated with the military
annals of the late Republic of Texas was the
name Of Major Henry GLADDEN.. Withdrawn
for number Of years from the service, his
genius, intrepidity and glowing zeal are, new
ertheless, to this hour frequent topic with
those who, in spite of temperance societies,
still sit over their wine after dinner. He was
noted for irmness and decision of mind
personally, indeed, he was invincible. The
most marked point in his character was that
of his always carrying his point, right or
wrong. This-if we may be pardoned the
unattended play upon words-he made it a
point to do, however much the odds might
be against him. Dueling was then in vogue
absolutely so; and as the Major was never
behind the age, he was, accordingly, first
rate shot. Like all Southern and Western
gentlemen, he was a very decided politician,
and most accomplished hand at election
eering-not for himself, but for others. He
had no aspirations after political honors in
bis own person. but always enabled him
whose cause he cspoused to win them, when
it became his own fault if he did not con-
tinue to wear them. He was an uncom-
promising democrat from first to last, and by
the force of his personal character alone, was
enabled to "define his position" even in those
circles in which none but the Hottest intel
lects were wont to move. But woe to him
who once incurred his contempt!"-that
was the Rord- contempt; his doom was
fixed; he must either kill or be killed. Not
that our friend GLADDEN. was sanguinary-
far from it--but fighting then was the order
Of the day, and being complexionably brave,
she did after his kind"-only that be did it
in way peculiar to himself--always, as we
have said, carrying his point! Speaking Of
the force of his contempt" we were once
not little amused at reply he made MS
upon our asking him, on the occasion of some
strong provocation that had been given him
by one of his negroes, why be did not knock
him down? "No, sir" was the response;
II have too much contempt for negro ever
to strike him." Not that either my under
standing or my feelings sanction the use Of
the term as applied to the condition Of the
negro-which, not being voluntary one, he
is not responsible for. Still, GLADDEN. is what
is called "a good MASTER" and relate this
little anecdote merely as illustrating the force
Of one of the moral developments Of his char
acter. The. opposite feeling of admiration
was, with him, equally strong, and the ex'
preston of it was after the manner, always
Of dashing cavalry ofRcer-the Marquis Of
Anglesy, let us suppose--with his bright
ciade flashing to the sun, and his conscious
charger in mid career upon the expectant foe
0iaooon, as I have said, always carried
Dis point. OF this very memorable in
stance occurred at place called the g Hills
la romantic settlement in Texas and ever
at that early period, not without traces here
and there, Of high cultivation The M a..
had long been at points, politically with WITH, :
certain member of Congress- resident =
the Hills-who had gained his election S, =
ing, or rather, owing to, the Majors tempo
rary absence from the country at the time
We shall presently see that there were thre,
causes, or motives, that conducsd to the yer,
extraordinary proceedings which we ar
about to narrate.
Congress not being in session, the Mem
Der" {for he belonged to the lower house,
was under bis own roof, where he no doub
conceived himself safe from unauthorized visi
tations. In this, however, he was soon to b.
! undeceived, Major GLADDEN. had stoppeda