Daily national Democrat., 1861-04-21
The Graves and CilIey Duel.

pondeEt of the Portland Argus, writing
from ashington, at the residence of Gen.
Jones, who acted as second in the CIlley duel,
says: Learning | was from Maine the Gen
eral alluded to the affair, expressed admira-
ton for Mr.. Ciley, and deep regret for the
unhappy issue of the affair. 1t may not be
generally known that the latter portion of
the life of the murderer was unhappy in the
extreme Graves died the victim to regrets
and the most horrible of horrors. Two years
he passed in sleepless nights, with rooms
lighted and with watching friends, whom he
was for moment willing to leave his pre-
sence. He consumed the hours of night in
walking to and fro, in frightful starts, and
in means and groans and tears, and in wild
exclumatons. At length, worn out with
menta! anguish, grief unmtigated, and was
ting watchfulness, the unhappy man expir-
ed. This had from the lips ofa clergyman,
his neighbor, and thus was avenged the
names of the murdered Cilley.
The truth of history or veracous bag
raphy requires, we believe the contradic-
ton of this story. Something like it has
been set afoat before, and was denied. if we
rscolect Alright, by the Louisville journal,
the editor of which paper ought to know if
any person does. The duel between Grav es
and Cilley was an unfortunate one /; but that
it made Graves murderer > in any other
sense than any other man who kills his an
tagonist in duel, is what We deny nor is
it fair to blacken Mr.. Graves memory by
bestowing such an epithet particularly on
| him.
The duel took place on the oath of Febru
ary, 1888. 1t grew out of a controversy in
which Webb, of the New York Courier and
Enquirer, figured largely. Nathaniel L. Da-
Wis then corresponded with Webbs paper
under the signature of the "Spy in Wash
ing'on." who reflected on Mr.. Cilley for
charging Webb with corruption in the mat
ter of the famous $52, 900 loan from the Uni
ted States Bank Clley. in debate, said
Webb was not TO be believed. week after
the debate Webb went to Washington and
sent note to Clley requiring him to re
tract or explain his language Cilley refused
to do either Then followed challenge
from Webb, sent through Mr.. Graves. Gil
! ley refused the challenge-it was generally
understood-because Cilley would not treat
| w Webb a gentleman. Graves then, accord
ing to the code of honor, took the place of
his principal He first addressed Ciley
note desiring to be informed of Cilley's rea-
son for declining the challenge. Was it be
cause of objection TO Mr. Webb as a gentle
man? Cilley replied, saying he neither af-
6rmed nor denied anything of Webb's char
acter, but felt no disrespect for Graves. Then
followed note from Graves stating that Gil
ley reply was not explicit, and desiring
categorical answer, whether Cilley's refusal
t accept was grounded on objections to
Webb as a gentleman. Cilley, in note back,
declined to answer. Then Graves sent Gil
ley a challenge through Henry A. Wise
Cilley accepted, and named George w. Jones'
DfI
friend. Clley had chosen rifles, eighty yards
apart. Jones and Wise agreed that 3 o'clock
on the 29 should be the hour and day. Wise
found it ditfiult, at first, to get rifle. Jones
then borrowed one of DR. Duncan, of Gin
! cinnat and sent it to Wise, with a flask OF
powder and bullets. Wise finally however
procured Il rifle in another quarter The
agreement was to meet at Anacorta bridge,
before % PM and then repair to the ground
They met accordingly and reached it about
3P NJ. a little after o'clock the rifles having
been loaded in the presence of friends, the
parties were called together and fully instrct-
ed as to position, word of command, etc.,
and then they took their places, friends OF
each taking up positions along the line of
fire TO see that the terms We're complied with
Jones gave the word. The first exchange
of shots was Intellectual Wise then assem-
Wise said: These gentlemen are here, not
entertaining any animosity towards each
other-they are upon a mere point of honor
cannot Mr. Ciiley assign some reason for
refusing to accept Webbs challenge which
will relieve MIR. Graves? Jones replied that
there could be no explanation while the chal-
lenge was pending. Wise remarked that an
! exchange of shots suspended challenge and
which is now suspended for explanation.
Jones saw his principal, and returning ask
ed, " Is challenge suspended?" Wise replied
that it was. Jones was about to proceed,
when Wise interrupted, saying: :" 1t is better
to have it in writing Jones then reports
himself as saying to Wise: Mr.. Cilley says
that he did not refuse duel with Webb from
any disrespect to Graves, but because he did
not want to he dra awn into a controversy with
Webb" Wise Minks Jones said: "Cilley
says he declined from no disrespect to Mr.
Graves, but refused to disclaim disrespect for
Webb because not wanting eontrov ersy."
Friends and seconds then consulted on each
side Wise went to Jones and said "Mr
Cilley's answer leaves Mr.. Graves just where
the matter stood at the beginning" The con-
versation was renewed and terminated with
out agreement. Then the challenge was re-
newed, and a second exchange of shots had
without effect
The friends again assembled and the chal-
lenge again withdrawn. Jones remarked;
Mr.. Wise, my friend. in coming to the
ground and exchanging shots. has shown to
the world, that in declining Webb's chal-
| lenge, be did not do so because he dreaded o
controversy. He has showed himself brave
man, and disposed to render satisfaction to
Mr.. Graves. think he has done SO and the
matter should end here" Mr. Wise remark
ed; Mr.. Cilley has already expressed res
pect for Mr. Graves and Mr.. Graves does
not ask of Mr.. Cilley a certificate of charac-
ter for Col Webb Mr. Graves considers
Col, Webb an honorable man and must de-
feni his honor so long as that honor is de-
MED Ivy MIR Cilley" Wise thinks he adaed:
MIR. Graves only insists that he has not car
ried the challenge of one who is not a man
OF honor" After further conversation the
challenge was renewed Jones and Wise
then walked apart, each proposing terms.
Wise asked Jones: Could not Mr.. Cilev
assign for reason, that he would not be held
accountable for words spoken in debate p"
Jones replied: " Mr. Cilley does not wish TO
be understood as expressing an opinion as to
whether he wPs Or was not so accountable"
Wise then asked: "Will not Mr.. CilIey sa,
that he intended no disrespect. directly or
indireeuy?" Jones replied: Mr. Cilley en-
tertains no disrespect for Mr.. Graves but de-
clnes to be drawn into controversy with Mr..
Webb" Another and third exchange of shots
was then agreed on, before which, however,