The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-23
Letter from Kentucky.

To the Editor of The Caledonian
AS supplementary to the daily stirring
news received here from the outside world,
the little town of Dover was, on yesterday,
thrown into bubble of excitement by the
appearance, in our midst of dueling party
from Maysville. This relic Of an ancient
barbarous oustoul-dueling, for some time on
the wane in Kentucky, has been famed into
new life by the war animus, one of the re-
suits of which was the disastrous occurrence
of Yesterday.
The challenger was VIM. T. Casio of Mays
vile, in this county, one of the recently re-
leased political prisoners from Fort Lafay-
ette. Some time last fall, he and some six
or eight others were,by order of Gen Nelson,
arrested at Maysville, through the agency of
Col Metcalfe, of Carlisle, Nicholas Co., Ky
On last Tuesday. district convention, to
nominate judge and attorney, was held in
Maysville, and Col Metcalfe being present,
Casio sent him challenge to fight duel.
without accompanying it with any note by
way of explanation. Mecalfe had no per-
sonal acquaintance with Casio, never having
seen or spoken to him, and it was hard to
assign a sufficient reason for the step. In
response he stated that he had nothing a.
gainst Casio, but if nothing but fight would
do him, he was ready to meet him. The
next day was fixed on as the time, and Aber-
deem, o., opposite Maysvi!le, the place. Met
cafe was promptly on the ground, but Casio
dlly.dallied until the officers in Aberdeen
got wind of the affair, and when he crossed
over the river he was arrested and put under
bonds to keep the peace in Ohio. Metcalfe
informed him that he would fight him any
where he would name, either in Kentucky or
Virginia. 1t was agreed to 90 down the riv-
er mile and a half below Dover, to the
"Fishing Shore" in the corner of Bracken
county. Metcalle was on the ground at eight
O'Clock, Casio not arriving until half past four
p. m. A considerable crowd of friends and
sympathizers, many of them rebels, and all
loaded down to "the guards" with arms, was
present, to witness the hOrrid but highly ex-
citing ceremony. Mutual friends made an
effort to reconcile the political antagonists,
but fight alone could heal the wounded
honor of the one, and preserve its integrity
in the other. Accordingly the ground was
measured oti-G0 yards-on the beautiful
white sandy beach, close to the Ohio's spark
ling waters. The day was supremely beauti.
> ful-the sun shining mildly forth from the
5right-blue heavens, and not breeze stirring
to ripple the placid river, or fan the fevered
) faces of the brave Kentucky duelists. They
took their position, armed with Colts FIVE
shooting revolving rifles, intent on the work
: of death. The seconds made the necessary
, arrangements, and, at the word, crack crack
! went the pieces, ard Casio fell like log tc
the beach, and after Saspins tor breath fol
the space of fifteen minutes, calmly expired
his blood trickling along the sands into tn,
= waters of the Ohio. The ball struck him OF
: the side, just below the range of the heart
and passed completely through him-a splen
n did center shot. Castos shot passed abov
D and to the right of its aim, and spent its ven
ON on the innocent unharmed air. As Cas-
l. to fell, Melcalte, who up to that moment ha'
y been perfectly cool and selfpossessed, no,
n somewhat excited, exclaimed: MY God!
}. knew | would kill him-ths affair was force
e on me-I had nothing against him neve
+ spoke word to him in my life-I am bel
Il ter shot than he was aware Of"
Everything being done in accordance wit
o the code Of the duello, no outside difficult
y, occurred, the crowd dispensing quietly a
p Metcalfe and his friends left the grounds
" Casio was taken in skiff to Dover an
s, thence to Maysville on the steamer Bostt
l. na.
The affair has caused deep sensatio
l. throughout the community, but no excite
ment. Casio was wholly Impractical wit
of the rifle, while MetcaIte has the reputatio
I'd of being crack shot. In his practice Gu
n ing the day he never failed to plumb the ta
get in two instances, at the first shot, hi
If ting the handle Of a common pocket knife
4. 60 yards. Casio was insane to challen,
J. such a man, and for such a reason; as Il
he colonel, in causing his arrest, was actir
strictly in obedience to orders, and of cour
", was not personally responsible for the act
in But Casio was bent on seeking the recove
Of his lost honor and rights, and it is t
a general feeling of large majority of the pc
at- pie here that he has at last found them.
m, The deceased was bachelor,of good pro
of erty and fine education, but one of that ella
m of Kentuckians, too indolent too apply hi
mt self to any active calling, living in high sty
at the best hotels, and attending to a da
m practice at its bar. Metcalfe is wealt
mt farmer, son of ex-governor Metcalfe, a
has wife and numerous children. He "
'as in the battle of Piketon, in eastern KENT
ky, last fall, and proved himself most bra
le and efficient officer.
The war news received here is pregna
NJ with victory, Mcclellan having aared out t
rebels at Williamsburg, and Beauregard
vas is re-afirmed) having actually vacated G.