The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-10
THEICODE.

4 The celebrated affair of the Leopard
land the Chesapeake, the latter COM
manded by Commodore. James Barron,
Z resulted in Barron's trial, and sentence
! by the court martial, in the proceedings
relative to which, it is said,; Commodore
Decatur took an active part, and duel
4 was finally the result, at Bladensburg.
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune
describes the affair. as follows:
When Elliott arrived at Bladensburg
little knots OF boys and men, knowing;or
guessing the matter impending, gave
him interesting, regard. A group of
nava! officers, PARTICULARLY, standing at
the tavern, walked out across the bridge
toward the place of meeting, and con-
cealed themselves within hearing of the
pistol shots. Almost every one Of them
was o friend Of Decatur. and among
them were Commodores Rodgers and
Porter, his two colleagues in the Board
of Navy Commissioner Il Barron follow
ed soon .afterward, walking between hi,
second, Elliott, and his friend, Latimer.
His face expressed dignity and rcsolu-
tion. He walked firmly, and the three
also descended into the Valley of Chance.
/ Decatur and Barron bowed to each
other formally. Hambleton stood by
Decatur, Latimer by Barron. Balm
bridge and. Elliott conferred together,
and the former, who had behaved fairly
and equitably. throughout, was appoint
ed to measure the ground. He marked
line in the sod with his boot, and,
placing his toe to it, stepped out eight
1 times, yard to step, marking also the
4 last step as O base Four times mans
length, or across your dining-room, that
was the distance.
Each second now produced the pistols
4 from pair of cases, long -barreled duel
ing weapons, of fine finish and bright
I steel, silver mounted. They were charged
4 sented to each principal by the second
/ During oil this time no word was said
except by the seconds.
In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge
tossed for corners. Bainbridge won; it
was Decatur's usual good Iuck
Commodore Decatur" said Balm
bridge, (Which stand do you select?"
The axis of the two bases ran nearly
i North and South, obliquely from the
brook. Decatur walked to the North,
nearest the water, where he stood few
inches lower than Barron. Both threw
off their cloaks and stood confronting
each other. l,a'.
Gentlemen" said Bainbridge, rails
1 ing his voice, 81 shall give the word
I quickly and rs follows: Present-one-
two-three. You are neither, at your
peril, to fire before the word one, nor
after the word three" ~
Commodore Barron turned his head
his pistol hanging at his side, and said
to Commodore cambridge: -
"Have you any objection, sir, to pro-
! nounoing the words in the manner you
! intend to give them" -
"None," said Bainbridge, and he re-
peated the formula precisely rs he after
ward gave it. For the first time the an
4 tagonists looked into each others eyes
Sternness and the purpose to kill lay in
both. 81 hope, sir" said Barron, "that
when we meet in another world, we shall
be better friends than We have been in
/ this.
II have never been your enemy. sir, ''
exclaimed Decatur
Here Bainbridge walked behind De-
|catur, and took place twelve or Hfteen
feet to his lefti ,Hanbleton as far ronshis
right. The same positions were reserved
by Elliott and Latimer. -..-
Gentlemen" said Bainbfidge, "make
ready"
The antagonists swung round side
wise, and looked at each other across
their right shoulders.
"Present",---- L.,
The two arms went up and each took
S'eao1, e"ao1,neEtwo-r X
One report rang out The last word
was deafened by it. On the word two,
both pistols had been simultaneously
discharged. There were two pl IS Of
smoke, and in an instant Barron was
down, groaning.
Decatur Strengthened up moment,
pinched his lips, dropped his pistol, aud
the color went out of his face. He drew
his right hand to his side. Then he fell
to the ground speechless.
The seconds both were beside them
instantly. Decatur was raised by his
friends and moved to higher ground,
near by Barron.
He opened his eyes directly, and said
II am mortally wounded, at least be-
lieve so; and I wish I had fallen in the
service'o my country"
Barron looked up to them all and said