Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-09-15
THE CODE.
REN1vIsEHcr5 OF 4 MEMORABLE DUEL.

THE CODE.
"reminiscences OF \ MEMORABLE DUEL.
The celebrated affair of the Leopard
and the Chesapeake, the latter cOmman-
ded by Commodore James Barron. re-
suited in BarrOn's trial and sentence 10y
the cOuTt-martial, in the proceedings
relative to which it Is said Commodore
Decatur took an active part, and Il duel
was finally the result, at BladensbuTg.
A correspondence Ofthe Chicago Tribune
describes the affair as follows:
When Elliott arrived at BladensbuTg
little knots of boys and men, knowing
OF guessing the matter impending, gave
him interesting regard. y group of na-
val officers, particularly, standing at
the tavern, walked out across the bridge
toward the place Of meeting, and c0n-
cealed themselves within hearing of pis-
tOl shots. Almost every one Of them
was a friend of Decatur, and among
them were Commodore Rodgers and
Porter, his two colleagues in the Board
of Navy Commissioners. Barron fol-
lowed soon afterward, walking between
his second, Elliott and his friend, Lati-
mcr. His face expressed dignity and
resolution. He walked firmly, andthey
three also descended into the Valley of
Chance.
Decatur and Barron bowed To each
other formally. HambletOn stood by
Decatur, Latimer by Barron, BainbridgG
and Elliot conferred together, and the
former, who behaved fairly and equita-
bly, throughout, was appointed to meas
ure the ground. He marked line in
the sod with his boot, and, placing his
toe to it, stepped out eight times, a yard
to a step, marking also the last step a. "a
base; four times mans length or across
your dining room, that was the dis
tance.
Each second now produced the pistols
from pair of cases, long baTreled duel
ing weapons, of fine finish and bright
steel, silver mounted. They were charged
and rammed in the old style, and pre-
sented to each principal by the second.
! During all this time no word was said,
except by the seconds.
In like manner Elliot and Bainhridge
/ tossed for corners. Bainbridge won; it
was Decatur's usual good luck!
| Commodore Decatur said Balm
/ bridge, (which stand do you select?"
/ The axis of the bases ran nearly north
and south, obiquely from the brook.
! Decatur walked to the north, nearest
the water, where he stood 4 few inches
lower than Barron. Both threw of their
cIOaks and stood confronting each 9TH
"Gentlemen," said Bainbridge, rails
| ing his voice, II shall give the word
quickly and as follows: PTesent-One-
| two-three. You are neither at your
peril to fire before the word one, nor al-
/ the word three"
Commodore Barron turned his head,
his pistol hanging at his side, aud said
| to Commodore Bainbridgc;
"Have you any objections, sir, TO pro-
nouncing the words in the manner you
intend to give them"
tcNOne,U said Bainbridge, and ne re-
peated The formula precisely as he after
wards gave it.
For the first time the antagonists look
ed into each others eyes. Sternness
and the purpose to kill lay in both.
"I hope, SIR said Barron, "thatwheE
we meet in another world we shall be
better friends than we have been in
this"
81 have never been your enemy, sir
exclaimed Decatur.
Here BainbTidge walked behind DGca-
tT and took place twelve or fifteen feet
to his left, HambletOn as far Oh his
right. The same positions were revers-
ed by Elliott and Latimer.
Gentlemen" ," said Bainbridge, "malle
ready
Theantagonistss swung round sideways
! and looked at each other across their
right shoulders.
''Present-N
The two arms went up and each took
sight.
"One-twO-n
One report rang out. The last word
was deafened by il. On the word two,
both pistols had been simultaneously
discharged. There were two pulls Of
smoke, and in an instant Barron was
down gTOaning.
Decatur Strengthened up Il moment,
pinched his lips, dropped his pistol, and
the color went out Ofhis face. He drew
his right hand to his side. Then he fell
speechless.
The seconds Of both were beside them
in an instant. 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 l be-
Iieve so; and wish ] had fallen in the
service ofmy country"
Barron looked up to them all, and
said
Everything has been conducted in the
most honorable manner. l am mortal
w wounded. Commodore Decatur, |
forgive you from the bottom Of my
heart
| Immediately down the pathway to the
Valley of Chance came many gentle
men, all trends of Decatur-ROdgCTS and
Porter, and Bolton, two Doctors, Bailey
Washington and TTevitt, General Har-
per and others, friends or idleTs.
/ There were anxious looks and utter
naces of "Tut, tut y, or "Dear dear"
The doctors proceeded TO loosen the
clothes of the sufferers and ascertain the
nature of their would. The little green
valley at the breakfast hour had become
/ q surgeons hospital. In it were rep
resented nearly all the naval victories
in the republic-TripOli and Algiers,
Lake Erie and both oceans; they held
solemn congress in this unholy ampi-
theateT.
Barron was struck in the hip and about
the groin. Decatur had caught the ball
OH his hip, and it had glanced upward
into his abdomen, SCVering the large
blood vessels there. The two doctors
exchanged glances; there was no hope
for Decatur; his pulsation had almost
ceased.
Now began OH the ground as they lay
upon ClOaks spread for them, that dying
interview of mingled tenderness and re-
elimination which Writ has compared
10 the last intercourse of Hamlet and
IIaertes. Each striving to clear up his
fame, and prove that this little crime
was a mistake or the work of OflIcious
enemies. Barron, certain that his hours
were numbered, wished to be at peace
with his enemy, that they might enter
the court Of Judgment, friends. Decatur
was less relenting, but he consented to
forgive Barron, though not his advi-
sers.
1t was sadder scene than Nelson, De
catur's admirer dying in the cockpit
during the battle, or Bayard, to whom
he had been compared, bleeding on the
battlefield.
The carriage came, and they bore De
~ tr,r. 10 q Dn in ril 20 l.issimm his nMunlE