The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-14
AN EXTRAORDINARY DUEL.
A Miraculous Escape from Death.

The most wonderful series OF escapes and accI-
dents that ever occurred in duel characterized
an affair which took place IN Mississippi in 1887,
between two leading politicians. They were Gen.
Grant a prominent and ambitious young Wing,
ard Samuel Butterworth, ali equally prominent
Democrat and United States Attorney for Missis-
sippi He IL the same gentleman who afterwards
hal charge of the Assay department OF the
United States in New York.
The cause was a political one, and as the par
tics and their friends knew that it would attract
much attention, they determined to accompany
it with an unusual display Of gallantry and des-
peration. The terms Of the meeting, as ar
ranged between the seconds Gen. Peter Slarke
and Capt Leech were that the parties should be
placed thirty yards apart with four pistols
loaded and tn they should advance upon one
another in line marked off by stakes driven
into the ground two feet apart. They were to
have ten minutes to fire their four pistols. Never
were combatants cooler when they appeared on
the ground, in Alabama, Just over the Mlssls-
sipp line. There was large gathering OF
people to wit ess this desperate affair between
two diet nSuishcd politicians.
The seconds took their principals aside and
thoroughly drilled them in their particular tao
tics. Leecl, ButtcrwortLs second, advised his
principal to maintain his position and receive
the shot of his adj ersary without mourning the
hazard Of disturbing the accuracy Of his aim by
advancing. Two pistols were placed in the
hands of the combatants and two in their belts.
Butter worth insis ed the two in the belt having
the hair trigger sprung. His second demurred
but Butterworth made point Of it, rather
rnfled at his friends objections, thinking that
he doubted his coolness and nerve.
The triggers get, the parties took their
positions, the word was given, and Grant ad-
yanced slowly, taking deliberate aim and
fired, without effect. He stuffed the other
pistol into his right hand and advanced G
few steps farther, when Buttcrworth
resting his pistol on his left arm, took de-
liberato aim and fired. The ball grazed the
upper lip of Grant causing him to recoil He
quickly resumed his self-possesson and adj d
yanced with his second pistol. Butterworth fired II
again and the bullet entered the muzzle Of "
Granite pistol, caused ii to explode and knocked q
it out of Grants hand. .
Grant Immediately drew of the pistols T.
from his belt and fired at about ten PAGES, his fl
ball passing through the coat. shirt, and under
shirt of Butterworth, without touching his body, !,
but striking the belt in about where his two spare 81
pistols with the hair triggers sprung were, caus tic
ing them to explode, with the muzzles down, the dt
contents lodging in the earth and fairly envelop- ~
ing Butterworth with the dirt and dust which VI
hey created.
Butterworth was then left without load, and
Grant with one. But ButtcrwOrth, with great ye
,cfpossession stopped and picked up one of the Pa
pistols, cooked it and leveled at do
Grant, who returned the compliment with his = :
pistol. la
Neither desired to fire it was great point me
% have the last shot, which would have placed
he party, who had discharged his last load com
,lecly at the mercy OF his antagonist who could la