The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1877-02-24

MI. MauuOXs Wnlcn Is Wei reuuefn-
bered by may citizens Of Baltimore,
is his participation in q fatal duel
during the Mexican war with
Lieutenant McPherson, of Fred
rich County, Md. The account
given by gentlemen who were
familiar with the details of the af-
fair, is substantially as follows:-
"During the war ten regiments
Of regular troops were authorized
to be enlisted by the United States
Government, which were disband-
ed after it, close. One Of these
was the Third Dragons, COM
manded by Colonel E. G. W. But
ler, ofLouisiana, with Major Lewis
Cass, jr., son Of General Cass.
One-hslf of the regiment, under
these officers, was stationed on
General Zachary Taylor's line at
Mier, twenty-five miles from Cam
srgo, and the other portion, under
the Lieutenant Colonel, was at
| tached to General Scott's command
at the City Of Mexico. The regi-
,nent was considered one OF the
most effective in the service. all Of
the officers being noted for both
soldierly bearing and their social
standing rs gentlemen. One OF
the companies was raised in Mary
land, and two Of its Lieutenants
were Maddox and Mcpherson.
Both officers were fast friends, aud
highly esteemed for their gallan-
try and preposscssing appearance.
At Micr q sudden quarrel occur
red between the two while spend.
ing the evening IN the officers
quarters, over OH offcnse given In
q heated controversy. Lieutenant
Mcpherson became greatly exas'
perated, and challenged Maddoa
to fight a duel. Maddox yielded .
reluctant assent, and a meeting
took place at an early hour in thu
morning, near Mier. Maddox woi
| the choice of the weapons and 50
lccted . pair Of regular duellini
pistols. The distance was tel
PAGES. The first shot was exchany
cd aud neither party injured. Th'
| friends Of Maddox, at his instance
then asked the seconds Of McPhcr
con that The duel should end, bu
Mcpherson positively refused. 4
second shot was exchanged with
out effect. Mcpherson was exccs
sivcly angry at his failure in botl
trials, aud blasphemed the wca
j pons used. IIe demanded not on
" another shot, but that the,
should take their cavalry pistols
At that time the old "horsc pis
ltol," CARRYING II full ounce ball
had Just been improved BY the ad
dition of percussion locks, making
ita very deadly weapon. Mad
dox's seconds objected positivcl
to this, as altogether irregular, All
for some time would not alloy
their principal 10 accept the pr'
position. Finally, McPherson d.
clared that Maddox had take
duclling pistols only because u
one could use them. Maddox the
said, s'Lct him have his way,
and the weapons were brougll
Before the firing Maddox said thu
he would have to wound McPhc
son, or there would never be
termination to the affair, but
did not wish to kill him. At Il
third fire Mcpherson fell, and dl'
in a few hours afterwards. II
I bearing Of both men on q
field was brave in the extreme,
though McPherson's exciteme
probably interfered with the
curacy Of his aim. The circul
stances were SO favorable to Ma
ii aox, in his endeavors to avoid :
s fatal result, that, although plac
under arrest for violation Of
articles Of war, General Wool W
was in command, never broul
the case to trial.-Baltiimore 81