The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-15
CONGRESSMEN'S LAST DUEL.
BETWEEN INGE or ALBANIA AND
S7ANLY or NORTH CIROLINd.

Ipac. and Col. oh. Lee Jones Mr.. st,nIy'A.
WAsutTGroN, Juno Con Saturday even
Ing Feb %. 1851. tho Hon. William Cost John
son OF Maryland and the Hon. David Outlaw Of
North Carolina called upon the writer Mr..
johnson stated that n correspondenoe Ind been
going on between the Hon. Samuel ". Ingc OF
Alabama and tho Hon. Ell. Stanly Of North
Carolina, which was about to terminate IN n
duel; that he had been acting as the friend Of
MIR. Stanly; that. while he felt perfectly compo-
tent to III the place OF principal. he knew very
littlo about the code. and began TO be very un-
easy in his position as second; that ho would
consider IT very great favor II the writer
could arrange 1t so ms to tako his place and act
as the second Of Mr.. Stanly. A more generous.
high toned. and chivalrous gentleman than
William Cost johnson never lived. He had
himself fought and been badly wounded in a
duel with the distinguished lawyer. William
Bchley OF Maryland. Mr.. Outlaw, also very
particular and valued friend. added TINT he
came on the part OF the North Carolina delega-
ton who particularly desired that tho writer
should act for Mr.. Stanly. who had been en-
gagged in nm affair some years previous with
Mr.. Henry A. Wise OF Virginia the settlement
OF which 1t was thought by some OF the people
OF North Carolina had compromised his honor :
that by my having acted as the second Of Mr.
Clingmun in his duel with Mr.. Ynncey. my
reputation was well known in North Carolina
The affair alluded to between Mr. Stanly and
Mr.. Wise took place in 1912. They had both
previously belonged to the snlne political party
and had been warm pcrsonal and political
friends. When President Tyler. by yetoing the
United States Bank bill. left the Wing party and
went over TO tho Democrats. he cnrricd with
him II very small party. about half dozen
from the Wing ranks. who incurred the cog
nomen Of tho CorporAl's Guard Mr. Wise
was one OF the most prominent OF this " Gunrd."
md the former personal and political friend
ship that had existed between him and Mr..
Stanly WIS changed into the most bitter per-
sonnl and political enmity. Many were tho
personal alterations that took place on the
floor OF the House of Representatives. which
ought. under the code, TO have called for eNpla-
nation from one or the other Of those gentle
men. but neither took the initiative. ench nj
egng that the message ought 10 como from tho
other. 4 very erroneous conception on both
sides Of the requirements OF tue code OF honor.
which prescribcs 1t the duty OF gentlemen.
whom language has mutually passed requiring
notice that there should be no haggling about
who should send the first message. These dif-
ferencos finally eliminated on the racecourHe
near this city. Both gentlemen were present On
horseback, Mr.. Stanly. rilins a very hard
mouthel horse. In gallopng by. accidentally
brushed against Mr.. Wise. which MIR. Wise mis-
took for an intentional alront and riding up 10
Mr.. SRny struck him with his horsewhip.
This OF course. brought matters n final issue
and n challenge was sent by Mr. Stany by the
hands OF Rcverdy johnson. and was accepted
by Mr. Wise. But while Mr.. Johnson was pre-
pairing his principal for the field ut n country
seat some three miles from Baltimore
Il. A.
one at n tree. the ball struck dead
and seasoned spot rebounded and struck him
directly in the eye. knocking him down. The
ball WIS aiterward found. upon a surgical OK
animation. under the eyelid, perfectly fattened
and. while the eyeball WAS apparently unin-
jured. the sight WAS forever destroyed. although
a casual observer would not have noticed tho
defect. Thirty years aftcrward. In the old nge
OF Mr.. Johnson. the sight OF the other eye
through sympathy became impaired and thai
excellent and distinguished gentleman met hi.
much regretted death from n misstep in conse
Quence OF his defective vision.
This sad accident neccssitaied Mr. stanly tC
procure another second, and In making this
selection he procured the services Of John NJ
McCarty. familiarity known ms Col. Jack Nc
Carly, who had the reputation Of being n regu-
lar flre-eater." fromth desperate duel Tough
which no killed his knsmNn. Armstend I
Mason. But Col McCarty. Notwithstanding
his reputation MS "A" ire-eater was one Of thu
most genial and best hearted Of mon. and he. t.
his credit succeeded in bringing about an hon
ornble and Rmicable adjustment. nothwith
Standing the blow that had passed. A Nulga
error had prevailed that a blow was a morta
insult requiring blood. II IL true. under tn
old French code. such WIS the rule but ih
notion had long since boon exploded Ia Eng
sure on. to hayo rsstei on Mr.. Stany ON ac
count ot tIs settlement Of that alair.
In reply to the application OF M"s-rs. william
Cos, J iinson aud David Outlaw. the wrie
stated that II he noted, Il must bs distinctly
unlrlstOld hp would not be- governed by an
renertions TINT were supposed 10 rest on Mr.
Stany In consequence Of tn settlement Of h
former difficulty with Mr.. Wise. and that h
would endeaVOr, rs he did Ia every cAse where
In he noted ns second. to hring about an amica
tho field ii II couil bs done and tho honor OF n /
that innsmu h rs he WIS Judge Advocate TO III
Navy Department. and was IN the md'
sion ut the navy yard in this city, h
gould not ierve rs second unless, IA
70 appoint ANOTHER 70 act Tor him during h,s nh
sence, Tho Hon. William 4. Graham 81 Nor,l
Carolina was then tho Secretary Of the Nnyy
StanlY Nj. Outinw proeeedni 1T once 10 So
the Secretary. and in short time brought ha
word that he preierrel MT Ia make a sprrn
appointment for the pnrpns" ndlwtcd. bur tina
the writ might absent himself from the court
and no notice Of the absence would be- taken h'
the department. Tho wrterRWurdingiyH grer'
20 relieve lis friend. VIM. Cost Johnson, an,
took n letter from him 10 Gen. Jefferson d avis
the second NJ Mr.. lnge. stating that he desire
me 70 be substituted In his st'Ai as the s. cont
OF Mr.. Suulv. This letter WIS handed about
O'Clock L. VI. 10 Gen Davis, who, with grrn
politrncss. expressed his pleasure nj mcotlnl
me in such position. and called in two OF Tn
friends OF Mr. Iuge who happened 10 he IN On
next room. The writer thcu cNprn 3sed his dc
sire that an amicabe adjustment Of the dlni' uIt'
might be arrived at; ana with 4 view To thia en-
proposed that the cOrr's uOudrnce that hd
hitherto taken place be wlthIrlwn; that rs th
following day would be sunday no meeting
could take place. he would call at 10 O'Clock II
the morning in u buggy, and leave a new com
municutiou. which could he considered 10y Nj
1ng"'s friends. while Gen. Davis and hms"l
drove out into the country 10 select suitahl
ground for tho meeting. should the Efforts q
bring about an amicable adjustment prove un
availinG. This proposition was nj once agree
to- In the morning. at the appointed time, Ia
writer drove NJ. handed Con. Davis n com
municntlpn. expressing the hope thnt IL micl
lead 10 an ancable settlement. which Con
Davis left with the advising friends OF Nj
1nge, while we proceeded to select the grouE
should the Inst resort bo necessary.
The famous Old duc.ling ground nea
Bladensburg nbOut four miles from Washing
ton, had long before been abandoned for sue
purposes from tho fact that whenever rumor
were In circulation OF an impending, duo