The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-04-18
WITH THE OLD CHIvALRY.
The Most Determined Fight on Rocor'


Tho Most Determined Fight on Record.
A series of letters upon duels and du-
eling--even as casual and desultory as
this one has been--would hardly be COM
plete until something had been written
concerning the drleIs of the West and
Southwest. The breezy vigor of these
sections.-tho fresh. and unconventional
manner in which they slashed and
fought-.the startling methods of their
fluels, and the dire results, these seem to
demand that they should be hastily, il
not specially recorded. That the land OF
Crockett, the BoWies, McClung, Joor,
Scott, Prentice, T'oote, and their COM
peers is rich in adventure, need not be
told. So our scene is shifted, for the mo-
Inent, westward. II is fact, however,
that the most determined duel of which
]. have any record was fought in New
York State, and very near the metropolis
of that name. aoes 49,.
The meeting was between; De Wilt
Clinton and John. sSwartwout, in 1902.
il appears probable that if the dispute in
which this duel originated had taken its
natural course, the most famous duel 10
any history-that between Hamilton and
Burr-would have bpen omitted: Clin-
ion and Burr. had 6, very fierce and trucu.
lent political displte, which finally be-
came personal. Beforeit had fairly come
10 an issue, John Swartwout became in
yolyed in it, taking Burr's place. He chal-
lenged Clinton, who accepted. On the
field Clinton remarked shat he wished
ne had the principal BURR before him" !"
If his wish had been grati6ed there is
little doubt that his fatal precision Of
shot would have put Burr where he could
not have killed Hamilton three years
later.
MIR. Swartwout insisted that he should
have an apology, and prepared one that
he insisted Mr.. Clinton should sign.
Mr.. Clinton, of course, declined, and the
parties went to the field.
The duel was such a remarkable one
that present an account given of it by
Mr.. n. S. Smith, who was Swartwouts
second. He says: ~ esa! l,a:-.7i.3 !.
"The gentlemen took positions and
fired without effect. At Mr.. .Riker's re,
quest, I nsked Mr.. Swartwout. if, hsiwas
satisfied, He answering in the negative,
the second shot Nas fired without effect,
I again asked Mr. Swartwout if he was
satisfied. He replied: III
"T am not ard the third shot was
exchanged without injury. l then asked
Mr.. Swartwout:
care you satisfied? He replied: 20
Il "T am not. Neither shall 1 be until
the apology is made which I have de.
manded. Until then we must proceed
II then presented paper to Mr.. Riker
for Clinton's signature, containing the
apology demanded, observing that this
paper must be signed or We would pro-
ceed. Mr.. Clinton declared that be
would sign no paper on the subject; that
he had no animosity to Mr.. Swartout,
and would willingly shake hands and
agree. to. meet on the score of former
friendship. Mr.. rSwariwout insisted on
the signature to the apology, and Mr.,
Clinton declining they: stood at their
posts and fired fourth shot. Mr.. Swart-
wout was wounded in the left leg, about
Eve inches below the knee: Being asked
if he was satisfed,a-Mr. Swartwout re-
piled -ahJ ti53
"It is useless 10 repeat the question
my determination is fixed, and beg we
may proceed ....,,, ;, i, =,
animosity against Mr.. Swartwout; was
sorry for what had passed; proposed to
advance, shake hands and bury the past
in oblivion.
"During this conversation the surgeon
kpeeling at his side, extracted the ball
from Mr.. Swartwout's leg. The fifth
shot being fired, Mr.. Swartwout received
ball in the left leg, about FIVE inches
above the ankle. Still, however, he
stood at his post perfectly composed
At the request of Mr.. Riker, | asked
s.Are you satisfed?' He forcibly an.
swered:
"'No, sir; L am not. Proceed
"Mr. Clinton then quit his post, de-
clining the combat, and declared that be
would fire no more. Mr.. Swartwout ex
pressed himself surprised. that Mr.. Clin
ton would neither apologize nor give ths
satisfaction required, and, addressing me
said:
"'What shall do, my friend?'
"I answered: "Mr. Clinton decline
making the apology required, refuses
taking his position, and positively de
cares he will fight no more; his secone
appearing to acquiesce in the disposition
of his principal, there is nothing furthe
for you to do now but to have you
wounds dressed
"The surgeons attending dressed hi
wounds, and the gentlemen returned II
their respective barges te the city"
Captain Scott came very near having
duel on the most ridiculous grounds. b
was a great sportsman, and perfec
stickler for all technicalities of q sport
ing lore. He would get into a passion a
hearing any one call a line of geese :" :,
flock" of geese, or Q bevy OF quails :, =
brood" of quails. On one occasion b
organized grand hunt. The game va
iackass rabbits. A great many visiting
officers were presnt, and Captain Scot
had taken great pride in having the hun
conducted on the strictest principles. d
had rehearsed the home officers, and ha'
Instructed them ths.t when rabbit raI
from cover they shonld oil give the vie"
halo, "tally-hop Among the officer
was Captain B--n, who was an in
veterate practical joker. The hound
were unloosened md taken into th
woods and soon opened rnusically. Ever
man was at his post in tiptoe anxiety t
catch the first glimpse of the suspected
game: Suddenly, near the stand OF CAP
tain B--n, out bounded an enormou
mule, with twenty dogs in full cry at he
heels. in this critical moment, Captal
B"n roared ct tie top OF his voice
"Sally, whoa! Sally, whoa! Sally
whoah The ridiculous cry was takel
up, and the whole field burst into uncon
trollable laughter. Captain Scott wa
violently enraged, and it took all that th
friends of the parties could do to preyer
his calling the practical joker out; CaE
tain Scott was afterwards killed Will
leading his command forward in mos