The Republican journal., 1869-06-24
NUMBER 50.
"REMINISCENCES OF A DUEL.

HC ccltDlultu dliHlG Oh lft lIttJtfu ana
the Chesapeake. the latter commanded by
Commodore James Barron. resulted in Bar
ron's trial and sentence by court martial, in
the proceedings relative to which it is said
Commodore Decatur took an active part, and
duel was finally the result, at Bladcnsburg
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune de-
scribcs the affair as follows:
When Elliott arrived at Bladensbure little
!, knots Of boys and men, knowing or guessing
the matter impending, gave him Interesting
regard. A group Of naval officers, particu-
larly, standing at the tavern, walked out across
the bridge toward the place Of meeting, and
concealed themselves within hearing of pistol
shots. Almost every one ofthem was friend
OF Decatur, and among them were Commo-
doreS Rodgers and Porter, his two colleagues
in the Board of Navy Commissioners. Bar
ron followed soon afterward. walking be-
tween his second, Elliott, and his friend, La
timer. His face expressed dignity and rcso-
luton. He walked firmly, and they three also
descended into the Valley Of Chance.
Decatur and Barron bowed to each other
formally. Hambleton stood by Decatur, La
timer by Barron. Bainbrdge and Elliott con
fcrred together, and the former, who behaved
fairly and equitably throughout, was appoint
f ed to measure the ground. He marked a line
in the sod with his boot, and, placing his toe
to it, stepped out eight times, a yard to step,
, marking also the last step as base. Four
room, that was the distance.
Each second now produced the pistols from
pair OF cases, long barreled duelng weap-
ons, of fine finish and bright steel, silver
, mounted. They We're charged and rammed
in the old style, and presented to each princi-
pal by his second. During all this time no
word was said except by the seconds.
In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge toss
, ed for corners. Bainbridge Won; it was De-
catur's usual good luck.
, Commodore Decatur said Banbrd &c,
= (Which stand do you select 81
The axis of the two bases ran nearly north
and south, obliquely from the brook Deca-
tur walked to the north. nearest the water
+ where he stood q few inches lower than Bar
ron. Both threw off their cloaks and stood
: confronting each other.
"Gentlemen," said Banbrdge, raising his
voice Il shall give the word quickly and as
follows ent-One-two--three. Yor
T are neither at your peril to fire before the
, word one nor after the word threc.'
Commodore Barron turned his head, his pis
tol hanging at his side, and said to Commo-
, dore Bainbridgc
''Have you any objection, sir, to pronounc-
, ing the words in the manner you intend tc
. give them?"
sNone," said Bainbridge, and he repeated
ed the formula precisely as he afterwards
gave it. For the first time the antagonists
looked into each others eyes. Sternness and
the purpose to kill lay in both
'Ihope, sir,' said Barron, that when we
meet in another world we shall be better
friends than we have been in this
y Il have never been your enemy, siI :" ex-
claimed Decatur,
Here Bainbridge walked behind Decatur
and took place twelve or fifteen feet to his
left. Iambeton as far on his right. The
same positions We're reversed by Elliott and
, Latlmer.
"Genlemcn,7 said Banbrdge, 'make
ready"
The antagonists swung round sidewise and
y looked nj each other across their right shonl
: ders.
r The two arms went up and each took sight
One rnport rang out Tile last word was
deafened by it. On the word Two both pis tol:
e mad been simultaneously discharged. There
, were two puhs Of smoke, and il M instan
Barron was down groaning.
Decatur alght2ned up moment, pinch
ed his lips, dropped his pistol, and the colo,
e Went out Of his face He drew his right hant
: to his side Then he fell to the ground speech
, less
The seconds Of both We're beside them in
, stantly. Decatur was raised by his friend
, and moved to higher ground. near by Barron
d He opened his eyes directly and said
: II am morally wounded. at least | bcHey
o So and / wish had fallen in the service o
n my country"
, Barron looked up TO them al and said
Il ''Every thing has been conducted in tn
, most honorable manner. | am mortal,
, wounded. Commodore Decatur, | torgiv
@ YOU from the bottom Of my heart"
n Immediately down the pathway to the Val
n ley of Chance came many gentlemen, al
f friends of observation-disclosures, and Porter ant
. Bolton, two doctors. Bailey Washington ant
= Trevitt, General Harper and others, frend
& or idlers.
) There was anxious looks and utterances o
Tut tut - or Dear! dear!'
The doctors proceeded to loosen the clothe
of the sufferers and ascertain the nature o
t their wounds. The little green valley at tn,
, breakfast hour had become a surgeons hos
/ pital. In it were represented nearly all th
e naval victories Of the repubic-Tripoli an(
; Algiers, Lake Erie and both oceans; the,
held solemn congress in this unholy amphi
$ theatre.
| Barron was struck in the hip and about the
t groin. Decatur had caught the ball on hi
l hip, and it had glanced upward into his alb
+ domen, severng the large blood vessels there
} The two doctors exchanged glances; ther,
? was no hope for Decatur; his pulsation laC
almost ceased.
Now began on the ground, as they lay upor
cloakes spread for them, that dying interview
1 of mingled tenderness and recriminatior
5 which Writ has compared to the last inter
course of Hamlet and Laertes. Each striving
to clear up MS fame, and prove that this crime
{ was mistake or the work of officious enc
, mics. Barron. certain that his hours were
numbered, wished to be at peace with his en-
emy that they might enter the Court of Judg-
, ment, friends. Decatur was less reenting,
but he consented to forgive Barron, though
not his advisers.
1t was sadder scene than Nelson, Decat-
| ur's admirer, dying in the cockpit during
the battle, OF Bayard to whom he had been
compared, bleeding on the battle field,
The carriage came, and they bore Decatur
to it, Bai1b-ioge kissing his cheek. He had
wrested Bainbridge from the dungeons of
the Moors. Bainbridge in return had meas
ured the ground for him to stain it with his
blood
Rodgers took Decatur's head upon his
shoulder, The doctor, Trevitt, seated with
them and the carriage took its painful way
l. ~ 1 1I