The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-02-21
Maddox as a Duelist.
AN EPISODE OF THE MEyIcaE w,p
DECIDED DISPLAY OF
COURAGE.

|
lug Board, was yesterday dismissed
from the United States Revenue ser.
vice. An exciting episode in the early
life of Mr.. Maddox, which is we'll re.
membered 10y many citizens of Balti,
more, Is his participation in fatal
dnel during the Mexican war with
Lieutenant Mcpherson, of Frederick
county, Md. The result of the en-.
counter caused much bitterness of feel.
ing on the part of the relatives and
trlends of Lieutenant Mcpherson
against Mr.. Maddox. 1t was ALWAYS
spoken OF by him as subject of re.
greet, although he claimed his action
cond not be avoided, under the cir.
cumstances. The account given by
gentlemen who, though not eye-wit-
nesses, were nevertheless familiar with
the details ofthe affair, is substantial
iy as follows:
During the war ten regiments OF
regular troops were authorized to he
enlisted by the United States govern
ment, which were disbanded after lis
close. One OF these was the third Ora.
goons, commanded by Col. E. G. w
Butler, OF Louisiana, with Major Lew
is Cass, Jr., son of General Cass. One
halt the regiment, under these officers,
was stationed on Gen. Zachary Tay-
lor's line at Mier, twenty-five miles
from Camargo, and the other portion
under the lieutenant colonel, was at
tached to General Scott's command at
the city of Mexico, The regiment was
considered one of the most effective in
the service, all of the officers beint no
ted for both soldierly bearing and their
social standing as gentlemen. One OF
the companies was raised in Maryland
and two of its lieutenants were Maddox
and Mcpherson. Both officers were
fast friends, and highly esteemed for
their gallantry and prepossessing ap-
pearance.
! At Mier a certain quarrel occurred
between the two while spending the
evening in the officers quarters, over
an offense given in heated controver-
sy. Lieutenant Mcpherson became
greatly excited and exasperated, and
challenged Lieutenant Maddox to fight
a duel. Maddox on his part, insisted
that the quarrel was the result of a
misunderstanding. and could be settled
without meeting. Mcpherson re-
fused to listen to any overtures what
ever, and insisted that there should be
a meeting and that blood should be
i shed, Maddox yielded Il reluctant as
sent, and the meeting took place atian
early hour in the morning, near Mier.
Maddox won the choice Of weapon, and
selected pair of regular dueling pis-
tolls. IT he distance was ten
pace The frat sh OF
was exchanged and neither party in
jared. The friceds Of Maddox, at bis
instance, then asked the seconds OF Nc
PhcrsOn that the duel should end, but
Mcpherson positively refused. a see.
ond shot was exchanged without effect.
Mcpherson was excessively angry at
his failure in both trials and blamed
| the weapons used He demanded not
only another shot, but that they should
take their cavalry pistols. At that
time the old "horse pistol" carrying a
full ounce bail, had just been improved
by the addition Of percussion locks,
making it a very deadly weapon.-
Maddox's seconds objected positively
to this, as altogether irregular, and for
some time would not allow their prn-
cipal to accept the proposition. Final
| ly Mcpherson declared that Maddox
had taken duelling pistols only be-
cause no one could use them. Mad
dox then said, "Let him have his own
way and the weapons were brought.
Before the firing Maddox said that he
would have to wound Mcpherson or
there would never be termination of
the affair, but he did not wish to kill
him. At the third fire Mcpherson fell,
and died in few hours afterwards.
The bearing of both men on the field
was brave in the extreme, although
McPherson's excitement probably i'll
terfered with the accuracy of his aim.
The circumstances were so favorable
to Maddox, in his endeavops to avoid
the fatal result, that, although placed
under arrest for violation of the arti-
cles of war, General Wool, who was in
command, never brought the case to
trial. His general conduct was so good
too, that all the higher officers were
disposed to force an issue which, un
der the articles of war, would leave no
alternative but dismissal from the ar
my. After the Mexican war Maddox
resided for some years in Louisiana,
where he married, and was engaged in
editing the Crescent newspaper.-[ Bal
timore Sun.
Public Opinion.