Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-23
TFrom Our Regular Correspondent
Paris Letter.

PARIS, France, June 5, 1880.
Further details arc to hand respecting
the duel between Ne. NJ. Koechlin and
Rochefort. 1t was in the first pass that
Rochefort's sword turned in his hand, slip
ping in tho glove that he wore. This
rendered him absolutely defenceless before
NJ. Koechlin's vigorous thrust, and he was
hit right in the pit of the stomach, the
weapon penetrating some way. N. koech-
lin could not have held his hand, as the
thrust was already directed, and many
praise his generosity for withdrawing his
sword as soon as his adversary was touch
ed, thereby rendering the wound far less
severe than it might have been. for Roche
fort might easily have been run through.
NJ. Koechlin is n tall man, of strong build,
thirty-two years of age, and a retired cav
airy officer. lie is an admirable swords
man, which Rochefort, it appears, is not,
he having one great disadvantage, that OF
too much impetuosity in his attack.
Rochefort is now fifly-one. 1t is stated
that the wounded man would have prefer
red to fight with the pistol, but that his
adversary refused. Rochefort, though bad
ly hurt, will, it is hoped, recover. lie has,
however, lost great deal of blood, and
requires careful nursing and attention. A
curious incident, in connection with this
otherwise tragic affair, occurred shortly
after the encounter. As the seconds were
driving to Coppet to draw up the rrsceS
verbal of the duel, they were met by the
Swiss gendarmes, who questioned them,
but they passed themselves off as tourists
proceeding to lausanne, and we're allowed
to move on.
This is Rochefort's eighth duel in all
and it may not be embarrassing to mention
a few Of his principal encounters. The
first was with NJ. Alfonso de ALBANIA, 4
young hdalgo of nineteen, who challenged
him on account of some remarks he had
made in Figure on Queen Isabella's de-
parture from Madrid when cholera was
raging in that city, Rochefort was slightly
wounded. Then came the duel with Prince
Achille Murat, who took the offence al
another of Rochef0rt's articles. The en-
peror's consent was asked. At first he re
fused; but he afterwards permitted the
| duel, which came off in the cavalry riding
school ut st. German, which was placed
at the disposal of the combatants. Th'
arm chosen was the sword; Rochefort I
awkwardness soon placed him in his nd
versary's hands. and he was hit in the hip
The duel with NJ. Paul de CoSsagnac made
n great noise. Rochefort had attackeC
Cossagnac int the Lanterne, and challeng,
was the result. They fought with pistols
on the plain near Saint Denis. Two shot!
were interchanged without result. At thu
third Rocehfort was severely wounded il
the groin, his life being for some time il
danger. Another celebrated duel was tn,
one with NJ Ernest Barochc, who. grev
OuSly lnSullcu III lllc IJtWCtfH lClI w OlS'
for Brussels, where Rochefort was living
NJ NJ Charles and Francois Hugo wer,
Rocheforl's seconds, and swords the arm
employed. In this duel NJ. Blroche wa
seriously wounded. After the comba
Rochefort, of his own accord, effaced thu
obnoxious passage from the Lanterne, ant
addressed his opponents father the min
lister, in eloquent terms, on behalf of thos
who had been prescribed after the Coup
Etat, appealing to him as to one who ha,
held his sons life dear. On Jan. 10. 1870
Rochefort sent his seconds to Prince Pierr
Bonaparte; one of them was Victor Noir
The tragic result of this interview and tn
excitement which it produced ut the tim
are too we'll known to require more than
passing mention. Rochefort was one
asked whether he had been fortunate j
his ducls. The reply was characteristic {
the man. "Yes, very fortunate, for hav
almost always been wounded"