New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-01-11

Correspondence Of the ST. Louis Republican.

Correspondence Of the St Louis Republican,
CHATEAU DE CuAMBoRD, Dec. l0.-At about
noon on Thursday left Orleans. My visit in this
city was of the most agreeable l. had been con
stantly among people of the middle class of society
and am convinced that the most pleasure is to be |
found there. l had not walked an hour before
saw two carriages stop and seven persons descend
and go into q forest. | saw by their conduct that
they were about TO fight duel, and consequently
took position where could see everything with
out being seen. Two seconds measured oil dis-
tanCe of fifty feet and two others arranged the
pistols. A physician took n package of-instrn
mcnts from his pocket, and remained anxicusly |
| waiting the moment when he might exercise his |
professional skill. One of the combatants, who
| Judged to be about thirty years old, was placed
| before large tree, against which he would have
fallen if hit. The other who was not over twenty
| wears of age, stood in hollow place at some dis
lance from any tree. He had a cigar in his mouth,
which he seemed to enjoy very much. When his
| second, who was as pale as death, handed him
pistol he took a knife from his pocket went to a
| tree and cut O hole in branch into which he
| placed his cigar. Taking off one glove he placed
it on the same branch and awaited the word to fire.
One of the seconds said, "One-two-three'' and
Immediately the report of the two pistols echoed
| in the air. The older one of the duests raised his
hand hurriedIy to his head for his adversarys ball
lad passed through his hair. The other returned
to the tree, took his cigar which was still lighted,
and commenced smoking as if nothing had hap
pened.
When all was over, / hurredly approached and
asked, in bad French to be informed concerning
!
was an American and corresponded with an
American journal, and was travelling in France TO
sec the country and learn the language, was all
that was necessary to gain their good will. They
took me into their eirriage and insisted on my
| going to Orleans to dine with them. AS lead at
present vagabond life, and am governed only by
my guide bookNnd my desire to see everything, i
of course. accepted their invitation, and we were
soon on our way to the city.
The young man spoke to me in English, and told
me about the subject of the quarrel. His antag
onst is a Lieutenant in the artillery. Thinking his
position would frighten any one not accustomed tt
lighting, he insulted him and refused to give hin
, any satisfaction. "Why do you insult me 7" askei
he, Have acted ungentlemany?" 81 will in
suit you whenever want tor replied the other
The young man dealt him heavy blow whicl
brought forth tooth and quantity of blood
Cards were exchanged, arrangements for a due
, were made, and the Lieutenant considering him
y arms, and chose pistols. complimented tn
young man on his courage, and his friends told m
> that he had acted like real American.
| stopped until nightfal with the party. The
told me that in France dueling was necessary, an
that it was completely impossible to avoid it whe
called upon. If person never insults any one h
4 may .ae, he insulted, and then if the insult
= not punished l.daa, Huer enjoy himself in Frenc
n society If he receive ,.St5 . }lenge and refuse t
accept it, friend will take = his hands an
rs fight in his place, and as person OF iBy meta
would notlet another fight his battles, he has NJ
alternative but to go in on his own hook. As fa
N amount either to accept or refuse, challenge.
In public ball where hundreds of young mel
n of all classes OF society are assembled they some
times quarrel but hardly ever proceed to blows
To slap person in the face is considered cruel
brutal and completely unjustifable. Whenever a
difference arises cards are exchanged, and in a
| few daysa a duel takes place. 1t very seldom tap
pens that any one is seriously wounded, AS sooe
j.. as blood is drawn, honor is satisfied. H. the army
ducls occur every day. When soldier is insulted
lie is forced by his soldiers to send chalenge
A. 10 ed
mect-four seconds, the two principals, and th
T. fencing master. The latter takes two sharp
pointed foils, places them 80 that their point
hands, and then says, F." Messieurs, 0ous poaae
). co1ssteaee, -. Gentlemen, you can begin" Ii
himself stands constantly beside the combatants
lie with foil in his hand and parties off every blo'
c. that might be dangerous. The two soldiers ungt
fall back, advance, jump about like two india rat
le Der men or like two monkeys untlblood is draw
and then the honor Of the army is saved.