Connecticut western news., 1878-03-14
CAPTAIN MARTIN SCOTT.
A Well Known Character i'm the Army-His
 Duel-An Amusing Incident.

Duel-An Amusing Incident.
 ] One of the most widely known men of any tune is Capt. Martin Scott. Mar tin Scott was from his earliest days re- markedly fine pistol and rifle shot. While blowing in the field one day he received letter which enclosed him his commission as ensign in the United States army. He had never applied for this position, and to the day of his death never knew how it came to be rendered to him. He accepted it, however, and was soon famous throughout the whole army as the best shot of his day. Upon the authority of Col. k. B. Marcy, United States army, will give sample of his shooting. A playing card, with spot about the size of a dime, was tackled upon tree about seventy-five yards dis tant. Capt. Scott then took muzzle- loading squirrel rifle and proposed to see how quickly he could load and fire three times. He began, and in one min- ute and twenty seconds had loaded and fired three times. Of course this was very quick work, allowing hardly any time for aiming. The firing was almost instantaneous. When Col Marcy went to examine the target he found one hole exactly in the center of the bulls eye. He remarked, however, that the other two shots had missed the target entire ly. Capt. Smith smiled, called for an axe, split the log, and found the three balls imbedded in the single hole. These shots were all offhand. Col. Marcy says that he has seen officers who vouched for the truth of the following, having seen Capt. Scott do it: He would take two potatoes, and throwing them into the air successively, would put pistol ball through both of them as they crossed in the air, one going up and one coming down.
 The first duel ia which Capt. Scott was engaged was under the following circumstances. He was stationed on the frontier, at military post of Council Bluff. The officers were, the most of them, fond of social glass, and addicted to card playing, and they considered &
 
 dulgences as wanting in the proper spirit. Capt. Scott never drank glass of liquor and never played game of cards, and while he was very liberal in his intercourse with h1s brother officers he was exceedingly parsimonious in his around him took umbrage at this, and gradually withdrew from all intercourse with him, until he was absolutely put into coventry by all save three of his as- sociates in arms. He submitted for a long time to the insults and persecu- tions, and then held a council of war with his three friends to determine what was best to be done. They told him that only two alternatives were left him one was to throw up his commission and the other was to challenge the first man that should insult him. He readily chose the latter course, and his determi- nation became known throughout the post. His skill as a marksman and his undoubted nerve protected him for a good while, no one caring to needlessly risk an encounter with him.
 At length, however, an officer from a neighboring post, who was a celebrated shot, and had brought down his man in about half dozen duels, was sent for He took the first opportunity to insult Capt. Scott. The insult was given at mess table, and challenge immediately followed. In telling of the duel after 1 rI To1,% Soot4 cold hot 7,o 4o the ground considerably agitated. Be- ing utterly opposed to duelling, he had determined to throw away his fire. Just about that time he accidentally over heard his antagonist say that he had & very disagreeable job on hand that morn ing, vlz., the shooting of an internal nuisance" This raised Capt. Scott's in- dignation, and he determined from that moment to punish his opponent When the word was given the men fired to- gether. Capt. Scott received slight flesh wound, and sent ball whizzing through his opponents lungs. It is mentioned as curious fact that this shot saved the mans life. He had the con- sumption before the duel and recovered afterward. I hesitate, however, to recom- mend this as an inevitable cure for the } consumption. It is a remedy, however, that is apt to either cure or kill.
 Capt. Scott came very near having an- other duel on the most ridiculous ) grounds. He was @ great sportsman, and perfect stickler for all the techni- calities of sporting lore. He would get , into passion at hearing any one call a line of geese "a flock " of geese, or a bevys of quails "a brood of quails
 On one occasion he organized grand hunt. The game was jackass rabbits r A great many visiting officers were pres 3 ent, and Capt. Scott had taken great pride in having the hunt conducted on 9 the strictest principles. He had in structed the home officers that when 6 l rabbit ran from cover they should all y give the view halloo, "Tally-ho ?
 Among the officers was Capt. B-n
 who was an inveterate practical joker
 The hounds were unloosened and take1
 into the woods, and soon opened musi 2 cally. Every man was at his post il d tiptoe anxiety to catch the first glimpse l. of the expected game. Suddenly, nea, a the stand of Capt. B-n, out bounded an enormous mule with twenty dogs il |, full cry at her heels. In this critica rf moment Capt. B-n roared at the tor l. of his voice, Sally, whoa Sally, whoa f. Sally, whoa p The ridiculous cry wa ,a taken up, and the whole field burst into