The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-31

u II
his pistol. At the explosion Conway
dropped to the earth, dead q bullet SEM
straight from Crittenden's blue eyes
through his heart. ..d
TYPICAL HOSTILE MEETING.
An exception to this rule was fur
nished in the famous Graves illey duel,
which / take to be the typical duel. II
contains more of the elements OF the fine
folly of chivalry than any affair on rec
ord. In it we see the splendid courage,
the naughty reserve, the impetuous
anger, the ridiculous hair-splitting, the
tense adherence to certain form OF
speech, and the discarding of all equity.
the disregard of conradeship, the con-
tempt of all compromise. Cilley's cpl
taph should have been: "Killed
through technicality."
We all remember that Watson Webb
was about to challenge Congressman
Cilley for supposed allusion Cilley had
made to him in debate. Congressman
Graves carried Editor Webb's note. Gil
Icy declined to receive it. Then Graves
wrote Cilley note in which he asked
him to state in writing whether he had
not said that, in refusing to accept
Webb's note, he meant no disre-
spect to me; that you could not consent
to get into difficulties with conductors of
public journals for what you might say
in debate, and that your objections to re-
ceiving Webb's note were not because of
any personal objection to him as a gen.
tleman." 1t appears that Mr.. Cilley
had taken the grounds detailed in
Graves note. But he declined to put
them in writing. His reply was that, 81
declined to receive Col. Webb's note
because L did not care to be drawn into
a controversy with him. 1 neither af-
irmed or denied anything concerning
his character as gentleman, but did
say that L intended by the refusal no
disrespect to YOU" Graves, upon re-
ceipt of this, wrote note demanding
that Cilley disclaim any exception to
Webb as gentleman, saying in terms
81 inquire whether you decline to re-
ceive his communication on the ground
of any personal objection to him as q
gentleman or man of honor. / shall
expect categorical answer" Cilley re-
Piled 81 regret that my note of yes
terday was unsatisfactory to you; but
cannot admit your right to PROFOUND the
question to which you demand categor-
ical answer, and L, therefore, decline
any further response toit." Graves then
saying: "As you refused to
receive a note which l bore you from
Col. Webb, and have refused to decline
on ground which would exonerate me
from all responsibility in the affair, am
bound to ask that satisfaction" etc. On
this provocation the parties met After
the first fire a reconciliation was at
tempted. After consultation Cilley
to say: "That he meant
no disrespect to Mr.. Graves in declin-
ing to receive Col. Webb's note; he
entertained for him then, and does now,
the highest respect and kindest feelings;
that he declined to receive Webb's note
because he chose not to be drawn into
with him." He refused TO
any disrespect for Col. Webb,
because "he did not choose to be drawn
into an expression of opinion concerning
him." At that shots were again ex-
changed. Cilley's second then claimed
that the matter should be closed here.
He claimed that his friend had demon
strated his courage that he had ex-
pressed respect for Mr.. Graves, and that
the quarrel should end. Mr.. Wise
Graves second) replied that Mr.. Cilley
had already in the written correspond
ence disclaimed disrespect to Mr.. Graves,
but that he (Graves) felt bound to pro-
tect the honor of his friend (Col. Webb.
Mr.. Cilley was requested TO say that he
did not mean to reflect on Webb's char
acter in declining his note. He replied,
in terms, "that he declined to receive
Col. Webb's note because he did not
choose to be drawn into a controversy
with him." The parties then took posi-
ton for the third shot. They were
fighting with rifles, eighty yards apart
At the fire Cilley fell and expired in 3
few moments.
A curious story is told of this duel as
follows: Webb, enraged and humiliat-
ed beyond expression at Cilley's refusal
to fight him, determined 10 force fight.
On the morning that Graves and Cilley
were to fight, he went with three friends
to Cilley's room for the purpose of fight
ing him with pistols on the spot, or
forcing him to promise Webb meeting.
Finding Cilley absent, they supposed
he had gone to Bladensburg, the usual
dueling ground. They hurried hither.
Their programme was that, upon reach
ing the ground, Webb should approach
Cilley and demand the quarrel, and
should give Cilley notice that, if he
pointed his rife at Graves, he webb
would shoot him on the spot. Ii Cilley
refused, Webb was to cover him with
his pistol and shoot him the instant he
raised his rife toward Graves. OF course
at this, or before this, Webb and his
friends would be attacked by Graves
and his second, who would be bound to
protect Cilley. In this event they were
to take care of themselves as best they
could. If the duel had been appointed
at Bladensburg it is probable that ter
rible butchery would have followed.