Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-16

'NN"fN SNh"us'cui Nolli AOOh HltCt US
ously as the fight had begun, as if by the tact con-
sent of every individual who had been engaged
A spectacle row presented itself which TO des-
cribe, will not do justice TO the reality. Altho'
there were none killed, yet many were hurt, some
with disbelveed hair and distorted countenances,
some with bloody faces and hands. Many convulsed
with laughter, others who went in to the fight with
long tailed coats, came out with roundabout
jackets, and without hats 1t may appear singular,
that among the debris on the battle ground, there
were no gouged eyes found no ears or noses bitten
of, and no fingers "chawed up for these ac.
compishmcnts did not belong to, nor were they
resorted to in "free fight" Scarcely had there
been time TO make a survey of the battle ground,
when a squad made rush at a teamster, who was
stranger and had been in the engagement.
He cut one of his horses loose and mounting, fed
MS if for life. He needed no spurs as the flying
trace chains accelerated his speed to such degree
that he soon left his pursuers far in the rear
Whether he ever returned for his wagon and team
is not known.
met my old friend of the rufle shirt coming
oub VI thV NlbNui very lHuCu utlHpliutcu III his
wardrobe but otherwise apparently unhurt rs tho
he had been miraculously preserved, yet his cor
pulency breathed like backsmith's believes.
His ruddy face sweat profusey. | asked him,
what business had you in the fght?'' "Oh,n he
replied, with laugh, ~ always take n hand in it,
when see it going on" In the meantime, one
of the worshipful magistrates had quietly taken
his scat on the tribunal of justice in the court
house close at hand. He issued his mandate to ar
rest his fellowctizens, and vindieate the majesty
of violated law. One of the constables arose in
the crowd, and proclaimed in stentorian voice
son. yes! Oh yes! gentlemen, all of you, walk
into the courthouse before Squire Blunt" Their
cheerful and prompt compliance exhibited the
best test OF loyalty TO government ever known.
They ALL with one accord, (hundrcds) llowed the
constable into court, with rs much docty MS a
flock Of sheen would follow their Shcphered into
the fold. Bat they were conscious that lhcy were
freemen and in that capacity, had that day cxer-
cised the right of suffrage untrammeled and un-
awed. The court proceeded. The crowd was
charged with having broken the peace and setting
at nanght the dignity Of the State by malice afore-
thought, with sticks, stones bricks, swords, guns
and bldnderbusses, &C. &c. The all important
question TO be duly answered now came up, viz
'!Who struck Billy PaitersonY' The witnesses
being also dGftn6an's It was as impossible TO an
swer that question then, it is at this day; con.
sequenty they were cleared by wholesale. bv
squads and companies, on the ground of iustiiablc
l-nIr J,g, L, 1.
ly arraigned and acquitted until by some means
or other, there remained yet one individual unrried
and who did nor make himself very conspicuous
for he was the very man the law was in search Of
and was not very anxious 10 run any risk Jus
as his name had been called the bell at the hote
rang for supper. Court implicitly obeyed III,
summons, and adjourned until candle light. Cour
met accordingly The courthouse jammcd witt
m anxious crowd. The prisoners name was re-
called, his was a peculiar position, like being be-
tween hawk and buz2ard, he was in danger o.
paying the penalty for all that had taken place, fol
beyond any doubt, he was the man that struck
the first blow, but as that witness had not beer
summoned, nor called, he did not consider it hi.
duty to volunteer in making himself generally
useful on this occasion. The prisoner feeling
solitary and alone, and knowing he had set th
ball in motion, appealed for aid in the Defense
Wiley b. johnson, Esq, was chosen and 20
ciforously called for by the crowd, the exciemen
was great. The counsel for defendant appeared
and in his mmable strain of forensic eloqucnce
rivited the attention of the court and crowd liz
admitted the fact, patent to all men, that dcfen
dant had been fghtng, but it was without malic,
aforethought, and that he had fought only in self
dGensr and manufuy too; selfdctnsc being NJ
inherent principle in the human breast, 1t was tC
be expected that every gentleman would exercise
it. and therefore justifable in the civil law. A
the conclusion the court announced that he though
so too, and pronounced 'not guilty. as he haC
previously done with every other one. At til,
termination of the whole scene, n deaicning shou
Of approval went up from the whole crowd anC
wendcd their way home as best they could but il
geeful humor As to the Squire he had beer
looking through too many glasses that day, auC
therefore the court did not know itself on thai
occasion. Thus ended the last "lrec fight in
Claksville.'