The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-29
The Graves and Cilley Duel.
This duel took place on the 9th of Fc

| 1888. 1t grew out OF a controversy in which
Webb, of the New York Courier and Enquirer
figured largely. Nathaniel l.. Davis then
corrcsponded with Webb's paper under the
signature Of the 60 Spy in Washington" who
reflected on Mr.. Cilley for charging Webb
with corruption in the matter of the famous
$50, 900 loan from the U. S. Bank. Cilley
in debate said that Webb was not to be
| believed. week after this debate, Webb
went to Washington and sent note to Cillcy
requiring him to retract or SXplain his Ian
guage. Ciley refused to do either. Then
followed a challenge from Webb, sent through
Mr.. Graves. Cillry refused the challenge
it was generally understood Cilley
would not treat Webb as a gentleman.-
Graves then, according to the code of honor,
took the place of his principal. lie frss
addressed Ciiley note, desiring to be i'll
formed Of Cilley's reason for declining the
challenge. Was it because of objection to
Mr.. Webb as gen tlemenl Cilley replied,
saying he neither affirmed nor denied anything
of Webb's character, but felt no disrcspcct for
Graves. Then followed note from Graves,
stating that Cilley's reply was not explicit,
and desiring categorical answer, whether
Cillcy's refusal to accept was grounded on
objections to Webb as gentleman. Ciilcy,
III Il note back, declined to answer. Then
Graves sent Cilley challenge, through Henry
A. Wise. Ciiley accepted, and named Geo.
w. jones, of Wisconsin, (now of Iowa) as his
second. Cillcy had chosen rifles. so yards
apart. Jones and Wise agreed that IL NJ. on
the Goth, should be the hour and day Wise
ioun0 it difficult, at first, to get rifle. Jones
then borrowed one Of Dr. Duncan, of Cine in
natl, and sent it to Wise. with flask of pow
der and bullets. Wise finally. however, pro-
| cured Il rifle in another quarter. The arrange
| ment was to meet at Anacosta bridge, before
% p. NJ, and thence rapar to the ground
They met accordingly and reached the ground
about p. NJ.
A little after 8 O'Clock. the rifles having
been loaded in presence of friends, the par
ties were called together and fully instructed
as to p"siti on, word of command, etc; and
then they tpok their places, friends of each
taking up positions along the line of fire to
see that the terms were complied with
Jones gave the word. The first exchange of
shots was Intellectual. Wise then assembled
the friends Of each. When together, Wise
said " Tnese gentlemen (the principals) are
here not entertaining luminosity toward each
othGr-thcy are upon mere point Ofhonor-
cannot Nr. Ci!ley assign some reason for
refusing 20 accept Wcbbs challenge which
will relieve Mr.. Gravcs?" Jones replied
there could be no explanation while the
challenge was pending. Wise remarked
An exchange of shots suspends challenge
which is now suspended for explanation =
Jones saw his principal, and returning asked:
Is challenge suspended p Wise g 1t is.''
Jones was about to proceed, whcn Wise
interrupted. saying: q" 1t is better to have it
! in writing > Jones consented on considcra-
| ton that what Wise had said shund be pur
| in writing too. Wise then said :. Let lis
hear your explanation, as it may not be
| necessary to put ii in writing" Jones then
reports himself as saying to Wise Z: * Mr. Gil
| ley says that he did not refuse a duel with
Webb from any diSrcSpect to Graves. but
because he did not want to be drawn into a
controversy with Webb.' Wise Minks Jones
said " Mr.. CilIey says he declined from no
| disrespect for Mr.. Graves. but refused to
diSclaim dlsrcspcct for Webb because not
wanting controversy" Jones and Use con-
silercd the two versions materially different
Friends and seconds then consulted on each
| side. Wise then went to Jones and said /:
Mr.. Ciiley's answer leaves Mr.. Graves inst
where the matter stood at the beginning. e
| The conversation was renewed and tcrmin-
atcd without agreement Then the challenge
was renewed, and IA second exchange of shots
| had without effect.
| The friends again assembled and the chal-
lcnge was again withdrawn. Jones remarks
d" Mr.. Wise, my friend in coming to the
GROUND ana exchanging shots, has shown TO
the world that in declining Webb's challenge
he did not do so because he dreaded con
trovcrsy. 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" Wise replied =
Mr.. Cillcy has already expressed respect
for Mr.. Graves: and Mr. G.. does not ask OF
| MI q. certificate of character for Colone
| Webb. Mr. Graves considers Col W. honor.
| able, and must defend his honor so long as
| that honor appcrs TO be denied by Mr.. Cilley. >
Wise thinks he added "Mr. Graves only
| insists that he has not borne the challenge OF
| one who is not man Of honor.' After fur
Their conversation the challenge was renewed
Jones and Wise then walked apart. each pro-
| posing terms. Wise asked Jones Could
not MIR. Ciilcy assign for reason, that he
would not be held accountable for words
spoken in debate 2" Jones replied: 6" Mr.
| CIllcy does not wish to be undo rstood as
expressing an opinion whether he was or was
not SO accountable. Wise then asked Evil
not dr. Ciley say be intended no diSrcspec
directly or indirectly" Jones replied .sMr
Cilley entertains no dsrespect for Mr.. Graves
but declines to be drawn into controversy
with Webb.' Another and third exchang,
Of shots was then agreed on, before which
however, MIR. Wise said {: If this does not
| determine it, | propose to shorten the dis.
tance.' Jones: " After this shot | will en-.
terrain the proposiion.'' The exchange was
made with fatal effect. Graves ball entered
the body OF Cilley, and separating main
artery, produced almost immediate deaf.
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