Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-02-17
The Witness Maddox.

Maddox, the fatal witness in the Louisiana
case, has become famous, and as every thing
relating to him is now grasped at with avidi'y
the following, from the Baltimore San, viii be
read with INTEREST,"
Mr J. II. Maddox, who has recently figured
prominently in the investigation Of frauds by
The Louisiana Returning Board was dismissed
a few days ago from the United States reve-
nue. service. An exciting episode in the early
life OF Mr. Maddox, which is well remembered
by many citizens of Baltimore, is his partici-
patton IN fatal duel during the Mexican wal
with It. Mcphcrson, of Frederick county, Nd
The result Of the encounter caused much Bit
terness Of feeling on the part Of the relatives
aud friends of L. Mcpherson against Mr.. Mad
dox. IL was always spoken Of by him as a
subject of deep regret, although he claimed hi,
action could not be avoided, under the circum-
stances. The account given by gentlemen
who though not eyewitness, were neverthe-
less familiar with the details o. the affair, i,
substantially as follows:
During the war ten regiments Of regular
troops were authorized 10 be enlisted by the
United States Government, which were dis.
banded after It's close One Of those was Tho
Third Dragons, commanded by Col. T. & W
Butler, Of Louisiana, with Major Lewis Cass
Jr., son OF General Cass. One half the regi-
meut under these officers was stationed on
Gen. Zachary Taylors line at Mier, % mile,
from Camargo, and the other portion, under
the lieutenant colonel, was attached % Gen
SCOTS command at the city Of Mexico. Tn,
regiment was considered one Of the most elfcc
tive in the service, all Of the officers being notet
Tor both soldicriy bearing and their socia
standing as gentlemen. One Of the companie
was raised 10 Maryland, and two Of its lieutcn
ants were Maddox and Mcpherson. Both Of
ficers were FIST friends, and highly esteemed
for their gallantry and preposscssing appear
auce.
At Mier sudden quarrel occurred between
The two while spending the evening in the Of
iicers' quarters, over az oli,usc given in a heat
ell controversy. Lieut.. Mcpherson became
greatly excited and cxasperated, and challenged
Lieut.. Maddox TO fight duel. Maddox, on
his part, insisted that the quarrel was the re-
suit Of a misunderstanding aud could be settled
without n meeting Mcpherson refused to lis
ten 10 any overiures whatever, and insisted
that there should be a meeting aud that blood
should be shed. Maddox yielded reluctant
assent, and the meeting took place at an early
hour in the morning, near Mcr. Maddox won
the choice Of weapons and selected pair OF
regular duelinG pistols. The distance was ten
PAGES. The fret shot was exchanged anl Meth
cr party Injured The friends Of Maddox, at
his instance, then asked the seconds Of Nc
phersor that the duel should end, but McPhcr-
son positively refused. a second shot was ex-
changed without effect McPberson was ex-
cessiyely angry at his failure in both trials aud
blamed the weapons used lie demanded not
only another shot, but that they should take
their cavalry pistols At that time the old
." horse pistol" carrying fnll ounce ball, had
lust Teen improved by the addition Of percus-
sion locks, making il a very deadly weapon.
Maddox's seconds objected positively to this, as
altogether irregular, and for some time would
not allow their principal to accept the propo-
sition. Finally Mcpherson declared that Mad
dux bad taken dueling pistols only because 10
one could use them. Maddox then said, " Let
him have bis way" and the weapons were
brought. Before the firing Maddox said that
be 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 after
wards.
The bearing Of both men on the field was
brave in the extreme, although Mcpherson :
excitement probably interfcred with the aceu-
racy Of his aim. The circumstances were 50
favorable to Maddox, in his endeavors 10 avoid
the fatal result, that. although placed under
arrest for violation Of the articles Of wa, Gen.
Wool. who was in command. never brought
The case to trial His general conduct was 50
good, too, that all the higher officers were in
disposed to force an issue which, under the ar-
ticies Of war would leave no alternative but
dismissal from the army. After tbe Mexican
war Maddox resided for some years in Louisi-
ana, where he married, and was engaged in
editing the Crescent newspaper.