Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-03-31
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"REMINISCENCES OF A MEMOIR
ABLE DUEL.

| AoA6 LIZ ELL
The celebrated affair Of the Leopard
and the Chesapeake, the latter command
ed by Commodore James Barron. result
ed in Barron's trial and sentence by thu
court-martial, in the proceedings relative
to which, it is said, Commodore Decatur
took an active part, and duel was finally
the result, at Bladensburg. A cores
pondent of the Chicago Tribune describes
the affair as follows:
When Elliott arrived at Bladensburg
little knots o:boys and men, knowing o,
guessing the matter impending, gave hin
interesting regard. A group of nava
officers, particularly, standing at the tav
ern, walked out across the bridge toward
the place Of meeting, and concealed
themselves within hearing of the pisto
shots Almost every one of them wa!
a friend of Decatur, and among them were
Commodores Rodgers and Porter. anc
his two colleagues in the Board of Navy
Commissioners Barron followed soor
afterwards, walking between his seconds
Elliott, and his friend Latimcr. His face
expressed dignity aud resolution. lie
walked firmly, and the three also descen-
ded into the Valley of Chance.
Decatur and Barron bowed to eact
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 appointed tc
measure the ground. He marked line
in the sod with his boot. and placing his
toe to it, stepped out eight times, yard
to step. marking also the last step as Q
base. Four times a mans length, OF
across your dining-room, that was tho
distance.
Each second now produced the pistol:
FROM pair of cases, long barreled duolinl
weapons, Of fine finish and bright steel
silver mounted. They were charged anc
rammed in the old style, and presented te
each principal BY the second. During
all this time no word was said except BY
the seconds.
In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge
tossed for corners. cambridge, won
it was Decatur's usual good luck!
commodore Decatur p said Balm.
bridge, (which stand do you select J"
The axis of the two bases ran nearly
north and south, obliquely from the brook
Decatur walked to the north, nearest thu
water, where he stood few inches love-
than Barron. Both threw off their coat
confronting each other. -
"Gentlemen," said cambridge, raising
his voice, II shall give the word quickl y
and as follows Present-one-two-
three. You are neither, at your peril. t.
fire before tho word one, nor after The
word three"
Commodore Barron turned his head hi
pistol hanging at his side, and said tt
Commodore cambridge:
"Have you any objection, sir. to pro-
nouncing the words in the manner yo'
intend to give them 2"
None" said cambridge. and h
repeated the formula precisely as h
afterwards gave it. For the first time tn
antagonists look into each others eyes,
Sternness and the purpose to kill lay il
both. l 'hope, sir" said Barron, "tha
when we meet in another world, we shall
be better friends than we have been il
this"
II have never been your enemy, sir,
exclaimed Decatur.
Here cambridge walked behind De
catur, ami took place twelve or fifteen fee
to his left, Hambleton as far on his right
The same positions we're reserved by Ell
lott and Latimer.
Gentlemen" said cambridge, "mak
ready"
The antagonists swung round sidewise
and looked at each other across thei
right shoulders
"Present''
The two arms went up and each tool
sight.
| "One-two"-
One report rang out The last wor,
was deadened by it. On the word two
both pistols had been simultaneously dis
charged. There were two puffs of smoke
and in an instant Barron was down groan
ing.
Decatur slaughtered up moment
pinched his lips, dropped his pistol, ant
the color went out of his face. He drew
his right hand to his side. Then ne fel
to the ground speechless.
| The seconds of both were beside then
instantly. Decatur was raised by hi!
friends and moved to higher ground, neal
by Barron.
He opeucd his eyes directly, and said
Il ann nortally wounded, at least be-
| liesc so and wish | had fallen in the
service of my country"
Barron looked up to them all and saidh
Everything has been conducted in
the most honorable manner. am
! uroftally wounded. Commodore Decatur,