The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1873-01-30
The Seventh Nan.
A Reminrscence OF sise Bays of Chiv-
ALI; and tt.e Code.

The Seventh Nan.
A Reminiscence OF stEe Bays of Chiv-
I ally and the Code.
a late spasmodic revival Of the so-calle ed
code Of honor in some Of the southern
states-through with more Of farcical
life insurance aspect than in the earlier
tragic interpretation-has inspired certain
Virginian magaznists and editors to make
retrospect Of the iron days of fly or sixty
years ago when a challenge to combat meant
something more serious than the wild,
planetary pilosting of two inebriated carpet
knights. Lieu Mcknight, half brother
Of commodore Decatur, was q duelist by
the same fa'lity that makes man a game
ster In the stirring of mems passions
they might become his pray, there ras for
him baleful fascination which he never
cared to analyze nor wished to resist.
Once tasting human blood, in the amateure
slaughter tolerated by barbarism of curde
society, the combined exutaion and despair
of the irreyocable deed overwhelmed all
his capacity for morel protest, and he be
came the deadly enemy of his species.
/ lrreyocably a criminal, the duellist sees no
/ place for him in life save that
which he can terrorize fer himself and in
the desperate maintenance of that place he
mocks at every plea of tenderness and pity
reserved for happier men. Mcknight was
p h,,
perfect and dexterous master of the fatal
code, and the slayer Of no less than six an
tag0nist. To be "A subordinate officer upon
the same vessel with him was eitker to en-
dure his harsh manners with craven submits
sion or be challenged to almost certain
death and hence, in 1S-,when Lieut..
Richard Lawson, young Nirginian from
Prince Aunie county found himself assign
ed to this mans ship for a three years
cruise in the Mediterranean, he knew from
fame and his brother officers what to expect.
Scarcely had that ship, sailing from
Norfolk, dropped down the Narrows between
Forts Norfolk and Nelson (the latter work
occupying the site OF the present naval
hospital), when the dreaded lieutenant sell
elected the new CONNER from amongst
Other associates at the mcSs-table with him !
for one eff his characteists salies Of rude
ness. Lawson bore the provocation admir- |
ably until 1t increased to grcssness, AID |
then suddenly left the table. Being
reminded subsequently by his friends that
he must either fight or be branded as a
coward, he replied that he had no other
intention had anticipated the insult and
It's consequences and shonld surly take
vengeance upon the buiy--at the right
time. The ship reached the Mediterranean
IN due course, and cruised for the aploin-
ted term yet still the junior lieutenant
bore the unceasing contempt of the man
who had wantonly given hin the lie, and
was apparent y resigned tie bear it, 1t was
noted however that at every opportunity
OF going ashore he withdrew from the
merry making of his party, and in COM
pany witty one chosen friend, retired to one
secluded spot. This as became known
thereafter was to practice with pistole an'
broadSword. Finally, the cruise being en-
ded and the vessel ordered home, Richard
Lawson availed himself of the last after
noon in port to change suddenly his whole
demeanor toward Mckn' ght and assume
the aggressive.
W hat do You mean sir ? asked the sur
prised and enfuriated. dead-shot at last.
i mean, sir retorted the other, that
understand your character as a duellist,
know that you have have killed six men,
and believe that, despite all, you are a
coward.
This speech, of course, forced the pro-
tessional fre-eater to become "the chall-
ensins party, which was exactly what the
Nirginian wanted and gave him the choice
of weapons, time, and terms. Early on
the morning of sailing day the two men
went ashore, accompanied by their seconds
to fight the long delayed battle. The
terms Of the meeting were that each of the
principals should carry pair IF pistols in I
belt at his waist. have pistol in each !
and wear broad-sword at his side. Dis ,
tanced twenty yards at signal they were
to advance upon each other, firing as rap.
idly as possible ; engaging each other final |
Iy at close quarters with the swords, should I
both survive to that point. In accordance Y
with this plan, dictated BY Lawson, the l
dueilist confronted his seventh man at last,
md was b. him shot dead in his tracks at
he tlrst fire. The victor, mourning his
victory, resigned his commission upon the !
return Of his ship to Norfolk and after a
o:et career Of moody retirement in in his
I'D home, sought to lose the memory of
what he had done by joining the army in
1872 to fight the British.