Middletown transcript., 1869-10-09
g gnf from the past.
THE 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 by
the courtmartial, in the proceedings rela-
tive to which, it is said, Commodore De-
catur took an active part, alleging COW
ardice in Barron, and duel was finally
the result, at Bladensburg. A cores
pondcnt 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 naval Of
fcers, particularly, standing at the tav-
ern, walked out across the bridge toward
the place of meeting, and concealed them
selves within hearing of the pistol shots.
Almost every one of them was friend of
Decatur, and among them were Commo-
dores Rodgers and Porter, his two col
leagues in the Board of Navy Commits
sioners. Barron followed soon afterward,
walking between his second, Elliott, and
his friend, Latimer His face expressed
dignity and resolution. IIe walked firm
ly, and the three also descended into the
Valley of Chance.
Decatur and Barron bowed to each 9TH
er formally. Hambleton stood by Deca-
tur, Latimer by Barron. Bainbridge and
Elliott conferred together, and the for
mer, who had behaved fairly and equita-
bly, throughout, was appointed to measure
the ground. He marked line in the
cod 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 times mans length, or across your
dining-room, that was the distance
Each second now produced the pistols
from pair of cases, long-barreled duel
ing weapons, of fine finish and bright
steel, silver mounted. They were charged
and rammed in the old style, and presen-
ted to each principal by the second. Du-
ring all this time no word was said ex-
cept by the seconds.
In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge
tossed for corners. Bainbridge won it
was Decatur's usual good luck
Commodore Decatur" said Balm
bridge, (which stand do you select2"
The axis of the two bases ran nearly
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.
Gentlemen" said Bainbridge, raising
his voice, II shall give the yord quickly
and as follows: Presept--one-two
three. You are neither, at your peril, to
fire before the word one, nor after the
word three"
Commodore Barron turned bis head,
his pistol hanging at his side, and said to
Commodore Bainbridge:
Have you any objection, sir, to pro-
nouncing the words in the manner you in
tend to give them ?"
None," said Bainbridge and he re-
peated the formula precisely as he after
wards gave it. For the first time the an
tagonists looked into each others eyes.
Sternness and the purpose to kill lay in
both. 81 hope, sir" said Barron, ''that
when wd meet in another world, we shall
be better friends than we have been in
this"
have never been your enemy. sir"
exclaimed Decatur
Hero Bainbridge walked behind Deca-
tur, and took place twelve or fifteen feet
to his left, Hambleton as far on his right.