Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-02
A Duel Twenty Years Ago-AmusInE Acc
count of the Anair.


A Duel Twenty Yeurs Ago Amusing Acc 1
count Of the Affair.
contributor to New York paper re-
lates this dueling reminiseence; -
Some twenty years ago, in Pensacola,
Florida, | Witnessed an affair Of honor that !
in its results would bea capital lesson, | think,
to our people at this time. There happened /
to be a man of-war in port, and as is usual,
many officers were on shore from her every !
evening, much to the delight Of the ladies of
Pensacola Balls and soirees were the order
of the day for the evenings. Among the of
hcers most popular in town, were two fine |
young fellows who were really attached to
each other, James B. and Charles g.
These young friends, regret TO say, drank |
rather an oveT-allowance of Champagne at a
ball, and during the small hours of the night |
had slight difference ofopinion upon some
subject of trifling importance-so slight, in
deed, the next morning the parties were en-
tirely oblivious of the dispute but unfor-
tunately there happened TO be two tall
scoundrels in the place who by the aid Of
borrowed plumage and loud, pompous talk
ing, had in manner forced themselves up
on society; they were feared and generally
disliked, in fact had on the field of honor
falsely so-called) and in pecuniary transac-
tions, been guilty of conduct that should
have stamped them as base coin, unfit for
circulation among gentlemen. One of these /
worthies, 7. NJ. was from New England, sly
ruffian the other S. D., was from the South,
and in his talk terocious fire. eater. I"
As both were out of money and credit,
they thought that here was fine opportunity
to make little capital by parading before
the mongrel society ofPensacol as secondsin
an affair Of honor. The thing was easy--a
little hard lying and bluster was all that was
required. Mr. B., said the gentleman from
the North, do you know that some notice of
the remarks made to you last night by Mr.. @.
is required, if you wish to be considered !
gentleman? The like course was pursued by
the gentleman from the South to Mr.. @. A
duel was soon arranged for four o'clock P.
NJ, near the bayou. This was cruel. and
determined to put stop to it, if possible
but how was the question--for the foment-
ers of the quarrel were too much interested
in the advantages resulting TO their tarnished
characters by bloody consummation of
their plot, to allow the principals out of their
sight for an instant. However, watch and
wait was my motto.
AT about halt. past three quite a party SAL
lied forth to see the fight. Such things were
done openly in those days. OFF strutted the
valiant seconds, with the victims ahead, fol-
| lowed by the spectators. The seconds were,
| be it understood, quite elevated by their po-
| tations on the occasion, and in their earnest
ness about arrangements, overlooked the
| principals for few moments, who fell to the
| rear. Now was the time. slipped bit of
paper into the hand of each, on which was
written these words: There is no cause of
| quarrel between you; as gentleman and a
| representative of the gentlemen Of the town,
we will uphold you, if, at the word fire,
you each shoot the opposite second through
| the - .' ra .t-.l.G U d..
Each read the note, looked into each
others faces, and smiled. Thus the thing
was brought before the people, and the re-
| suit was delightful. | never shall, nor do
wish to forget it. Men were placed pistols
in hand-horrid brass-mounteds ships spistols
carrying ounce balls. The seconds atwhat
they considered safe distances, gave the
word Gentlemen are you ready9 One
| two ! three II fre-bang went the pistols
down dropped the seconds with a howl of
| pain-of started the principals and loud and
long was the shout Of appreciation from the
| spectators, who, when order was restored
were unanimous in the opinion that virtu-
Gus thing had been done. >
The consequences were, first, that the prin-
cipals had good time afterward, and second,
the Office of seconds in duel fell into disre-
| pute; third, the seconds had to assume in
voluntarily devotional positions for some
three weeks, and finally freed Pensacola of
their presence. The Southerner returned
home, louuged about taverns brawling and
bowling about honor, chvalry, reserved
rights, &c, &C., and went to his grave "un-
Wept, unhonored and unsung."
The Yankee had the pleasure of meeting
some years after. He was then peddling
ointments pamphlets and other notions. l
had, per force, an hours conversation with
him at a railroad depot on a rainy day,
where we were waiting for the cars. He was
dressed in black, and looked not unlike
country clergyman. he was strongly in
principle, Fourierite Spiritualist, Free.love
and Abolitionist. He told me in conf
dence that he was an agent of the under.
ground railway, and made very good thing
from it, out of both negroes and whites.
|
Appearance of the Empress EugenIe aud
the Prince Imperial ut the Opening Of the
French Senate.
Speaking of the occasion of the opening
of the French Senate, Paris correspondent
says; 4
A buzzing was heard in the direction of
| the tribune of the Empress, and Her Majesty
soon afterward entered She was preceded
| by chamberlain and came in leading by
| the hand the Prince Imperial, who was
dressed in black velvet, while the Empress
was clothed in deep mourning, with a
white camelia in her bonnet. She was look
ing frightfully thin and pale, and / should
| browed, beautiful and fresh-cheeked woman
| who looked so every inch an Empress when
] saw her year ago at the ball at the Tuil-
| lsries.
Poor Eugenie-though an Empress, she
| has shown that she is also an affectionate
woman, and loving and regretting sister
mourning, as she still is, with more than her
| mere outward babiliments, her beloved sister,
the Duchess d'A1ba. 1t is said, too that she
J is threatened with the same terrible malady
i OF which her sister died. ..arr
She was accompanied by the pert, saucy-
looking little Princess Clotilde-the poor
little girl who was sacrificed by her royal
| father, and married against her will to the
Prince Napoleon, for the purpose of securing
an alliance with France-by the Princess
| Mathilde, the Princess Lucien aud Anna
| Murat, and the ladies of her court
Cries Of ViUs rlnperatries' and "ViVe Ie
| Prince ImPeTtol" were uttered not very
| loudly or enthusiastically (for the French
! have no idea of hearty cheering, and their
''vivas' sound like more casual, remarks in
| stead of any expression of deep seated feel
| ing), as they entered, and upon being seated
all eyes and lorgneItes were leyeled upon
them. ID .rsta
The young hope of the Bonaparte dynasty,
| who was brought on this occasion for the
first time to this ceremony, seemed delighted
with the appearance of things generally, and
! Immediately commenced pointing out to his
mother the objects which struck his youthful
| eye and fancy most.
THE IMPERIAL PRISOE OF FRANCE AS AN
EoUEsTRlAN.--The Prince Imperial of France
has a riding-school nearly finished, as are
also the stables and coach houses for his
horses and equipages. According to etiquette,
! His Imperial Highness will not have a house
| hold till he is two years older, when his edu-
| cation WILDE no longer under the direction of
the gentler sex. Till that time the Prince
of his own, but will 90 ont in those of the
| Emperor and Empress. He has, however,
] already had snraral Iniraiatrra carrianes for