The daily gazette., 1877-02-06
MADDOX As 4 DUELLST.
An Episode Of the Merican IVar.

IN Episode Of the Mexican IVdr.
Mr.. j. II. Maddox, who has recently
figured prominently in the investigation
OF frauds by the Louisiana returning
board, was yesterday dismissed from the
United States revenue service. An eX-
citing episode in the early life of Mr.. Mad
dox, which is well remembered by many
citizens Of Baltimore, is his participation
in fatal duel during the Mexican war
with Lit. Mcpherson, of Frederick comfy
Md. The result of the encounter caused
much bitterness of feeling on the part of
the relatives and friends of 1t. McPher.
sen against Mr.. Maddox. 1t was always
spoken of by him as subject of deep re-
gret, although he claimed his action could
not he avoided, under the circumstances.
The account given by gentlemen who,
though not eye-witnesses, were neverthe-
less familiar with the details of the affair,
is substantially as follows:
During the war ten regiments of regu-
lar troops were authorized to be enlisted
by the United States government, which
were disbanded after its close. One of
these was the Third Dragons, command
ed by Col. E. G.. w. Butler, of Louisiana
with Major Lewis Cass, Jr., son of Gen.
Cass. One-half the regiment, under
these officers, was stationed on General
Zachary Taylor's line at Mier, % miles
from Camargo, and the other portion, un-
der the lieutenant colonel, was attached
to General Scott's command at the city of
Mexico. The regiment was considered
one ofthe most effective in the service, all
Of the officeH being noted for both soldier
ly beariug and their social standing as
gentlemen. One of the companies was
raised in Maryland, and two of its lieu
tenants were Maddox and McPherson.-
Both officers were fast friends, andhighly
esteemed for their CALAMITY and prepo-
sessing appearance.
At Mier a sudden quarrel occurred be-
tween the two while spending the even
ing in the officers quarters, over an Of
Tense given in heated controversy. 1t
Mcpherson became greatly excited and
eXasperated, and challenged Lieutenant
Maddox to fight duel. Maddox, on his
part, insisted that the quarrel was the re-
suit Of a misunderstanding, and could be
settled without meeting. Mcpherson
refused to listen to any overtures what
ever, and insisted that there should be a
meeting and that blood should be shed.
Maddox yielded a reluctant assent, and
the meeting took place at an early hour
in the morning, near Mier. Maddox won
the choice of weapons and selected pair
of regular dueling pistols. The distance
was ten PAGES. The first shot was exchar-
ged and neither party injured. hefriends
of Maddox, at his instance, then asked
the seconds of Mcpherson that the duel
should end. but Mcpherson positively re-
used.
A second shot was exchanged with
out effect. Mcpherson was ex cessiyely
angry at his failure in both trials and
blamed the weapons used. He deman-
ded not only another shot, but that
they should take their cavalry pistols.
At that time the old "horse pistol, .
carrying full ounce ball, had Just
been improved by the addition of per.
cussion locks, making it very deadly
weapon. Maddox's seconds objected
positively to this, as altogether irregu-
lar, and for some time would not allow
their principal to accept the PROPOSE
tion. Finally MCPHERSON declared
that Maddox had taken dueling pis.
tolls only because no one could use
them. Maddox then said, "Let him
have his 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 he
field was brave in the extreme, al.
though McPherson's excitement proba-
bly, interfered with the accuracy of his
aim. The circumstances were so fav-
orable to Maddox, in his endeavors to
avoid the fatal result, that although
placed under arrest for violation
of the articles of war, Gen. Wool,
who was in command, never brought
the case to trial. His general cons
duct was so good, too, that all the
higher Offices were indisposed to force
an issue which, under the articles of
war, would leave no alternative but
dismissal from the army. After the
Mexican war Maddox resided for some
years in Louisiana, where he married,
and was engaged in editing the Cres-
cent newspaper.-Baltimore san.
Four companies of artillery numbering
IAFf 1t