The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-07-10
The HamiltOn.Burr Duel.

Nathaniel Pendleton, the grandfather
of George II. Pendleton, was an init
mate friend of Washington and Hamil-
ton, He attended the latter to the fatal
field Of Weehawken Heights. The bio
grapher of George ii. Pendleton thus
refers to that tragic affair, which put
the nation in mourning for one of its
greatest and most honored citizens:
In 1896, the grandfather of George II.
Pendleton moved with his family TO the
city of New York. The strife of par
ties about this time, when Gen. Wash
ington was retiring from the Presi-
dency, became exceedingly warm and
animated. Mr.. Nathaniel Pendleton
was an adherent of the Federal party,
and strong personal friend of Alex
der Hamilton, its leader and exponent.
When Mr.. Hamilton became involved
in 1904, in the difficulty with Aaron
Burr, which terminated in a fatal duel,
he applied to Mr.. Pendleton to be his
second iu that tragical affair. The lat
ter accepted, and accompanied Mr..
Hamilton OH that memorable 18th of
July, 1904, to Hoboken Heights. There
they met the hostile party, Colonel Burr
and his second, Mr.. Van Ness. Van
Ness and Pendleton cast lots for posi-
ton. 1t was won by Pendleton.
An account of the duel given by Mr..
Parton, Burr's biographer, says:
AS Pendleton gave Hamilton the pis-
toll, he asked, "Will you have the hair
spring sct?"
mot this time," was the quiet reply.
Pendleton explained to both the prin-
cipals the rules which had been agreed
upon with regard to the firing. After
the word "present," they were to fire
as soon as they pleased. The seconds
then withdrew to the usual distance.
"Are you ready?" said Pendleton.-|
Both answered in the affirmative. A
moments paused ensued. Burr raised
his pistol, took aim, and fired. Hamil-
ton sprang forward, reeled a little to-
ward the Heights, at which moment he
involuntarily discharged his pistol, and
then fell forward upon his face and re-
NAMED motionless upon the ground
His ball rustled among the branches
seven feet above the head of his antago-
mist, and four feet wide of him. Burr
heard it, looked up and saw where it had
severed twig. Looking at Hamilton,
he beheld him falling, and sprang to-
ward him with an expression of pain
upon his face.
Mr.. Pendleton raised his PROSTATE
friend. DR.. Hosack found him sitting
on the grass supported in the arms of
his second, with the ghastliness of death
upon his countenance. "This is NOR
tai wound, DOCTOR" he gasped, and then
sunk away into a swoon. The doctor
stripped up his clothes, and saw at a
glance that the ball which had entered
his right side, must have penetrated a
mortal part. He was taken to the boat
and conveyed to his home. II
Soon after recovering his sight, he hap
pened to cast his eye upon the case of
pistols, and observing the one that he
had in his hand lying on the outside, he
said: stake care of that pistol; it is
undischarged, and still cooked; it may
20 off and do him harm. Pendleton
knows that did not intend to fire at
him." Mr.. Hamilton arrived home, and |
lived thirty-one hours after receiving
the fatal shot.
Burr, though generally considered a
heartless and reckless man, is said to
have regretted the death of Hamilton
much, and was rarely ever seen to smile
after it occurred.