Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-12-08
The Midshinman,s Duel


trihng damages done to our standing rig
ging. | was then youngster, and my oppo-
ncnt was the dearest friend had on board-
We slept in the same berth, very confined
place, and our light came in thro ugh a scut.
tie in the ships side My cot was close to
this opening, and my friend slept in another
outside mine. One night, after an unusually
hot day, a dispute arose between us, whether
the scuttlc should be left open for the ad-
mission of the air or not, and certainly very
inconsidcrato language passed between us
However it was only a boys quarrel, and it
was arranged that my mcssmate should sleep
next the scuttlc, and have it open or shut,
just as he plcascd and when the morning
sun arose. none were better friends than we.
Uuhappiy our disagreement had been over
heard by superior officer, who sent for he
into his cabin Que morning following. This
person was, good seaman and possessed
what the world calls high notions of honor
lie soon informed me that he was acquainted
with all that had occurred between us and
expressing regret that such language had
passed between gantlcmcn, desired to know
how we had arranged it, told him
"Thcn, sin" said this advocate Of honor, "if
that is the way it is to terminate, beg 20 de
sire you will not put your feet under my ma
hogany again, and all communications except
those Icidtimg 20 duty Gems" between us. -
| left the cabin, astoniShcl at the turn the
affair had taken, and was surprised to find an
other attaching an Importance to circumstau-
ccs which appeared to me so triiling.
However, upon consulting with the other
oHicers, discovered, unless called out NY
friend, and shot ut him, they would initiate
the example OF their superior, and felt |
should be de>psed by all board At my
inexperienced age it was not surprising,
implicitly adopted the opinions OF the elder
ohccrS, most OF whom were veterans in com
parlson to myself. No time was allowed for
reflection, and no one to advise with if there
had been and firmly believed that | was act.
ing the part of an honcral lc man, | sent Il
challenge demanding meeting on shore at
SIX o'clock the same evening, to afford me
satisfaction for the insults my friend had
offered me the night previous.
The stern ideas of houor which swaycd
our punctIlous >upcriors prevented an apollo
gy, aud nothing but hostile meeting could
make us friendly again.
The day wore away rapidly, and at the APP
pointed hour party OF six, including my
friend (tor so | call him, although by the
opinion of others he was for the time con-
vcrtcd into an imaginary foc,) jumped into
the boat and made for the shore
We soon reached the land, which was
covered with luXuriant tropical flowers; the
distance was curtancd within mountains
whose swelling sides displayed thousand
different hucs, and the whole spot WAS prcg-
nant with myrladS of animated things. The
cr1nd on which came did not prevent my
admiration OF the beauties OF nature could
have fallen on my knees and worshipcd the
Beng who had created such place
The short revere was abruptly ended by
my second, who placed the pistol in my
hands; the distance was fixed, and triling in
Structions delivered to each, when upon the
signal being given, We both fired in an
instant ! felt as though | had been clcctri-
fled, and finding myself wounded was about
to lean on my Sccond arm, when | prcccivcd
my opponent fall upon the sand. My own
wound was in the tlcshy part of the thigh
1t did not prevent my running up to tho pros
tratc figure of my old friend, whose face ex-
hibitcd intense pain, and knceling down by
his side | imporcd his forgiveness which he
instantly granted. My despair at his fate
knew no bounds; and accusing myself of his
murder, | upbraidcd with the bittcrcst re-
proachcs, those who urged me to send tho
challenge
thought no more Of myself; all M care
was given to the unfortunate victim of absurd
notions of honor, With great difficulty we
removed him to the boat and returned to the
SHIP, when the surgeon minutcly examined
his wound, and pronounced it dangerous
For weeks after, his cot was attended by his
late opponent, whose grcatcsR JOY was to an
ticipatc his wants; and the Only consolation
left him is the Knowledge that his care pre-
served his lie for time
The result of tlis deed upon the prospects
of promising young officer was of u very
melancholy description. From the nature OF
the wound (thc shoulder joint,) it became
impossible for him to raise his arm for any
Scrviceablc purpose; his professional pros
poets were blasted forever, and he retired
from a service in which, had he been able to
remain, there was a reasonable prospect of
his becoming one of its ornaments, to die bro
kcnhearted in his native land.
LOOKING AHEAD.-An offer, from New
York, of Il club Of tlty-scvcn young men, is
made to Gov Gist, if their services are need.
ed. The writer concludes as follows:
Sir, honorable patriotism must have its
reward. Some will be satisfied with honor,
others with pecuniary acquisition; but, sir |
want to serve that sturdy republic which
shall be founded on right, justice and equal.
ty; and in order 50 to do, respectfully sub.
nit my claim on the generosity of your FIX
eellcncy by asking the appointment Of Con-
sui for the port"
Among the letters of Gov Gist, some are
f,,, 4