The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-08


HoNOR-ARREsT OF SOME OF THE PAR
TIRs-MR. ELAM's CONDITION, &C.. &C., tc
Late Sunday evening there were whis
pefed rumors Of a hostile meeting reported
to have taken place at some point below th,
city. At first the reports were vague an(
indefinite, but later assumed shape an(
form, and il became known that duel haC
been fought In the morning between Colo
mel Thomas Smith, Of Fauquier county, sor
OF Ex-Governor William Smith, and Mr.. w
G. Elan, editor OF the Richmond Wig, ant
that the latter had been seriously wounded
SO secretly was the affair managed, so few
the parties admitted into the confidence ol
the principals, and 80 reticent those few and
their friends, that full aud perfectly au'
thentic account Of the meeting IL at thit
writing almost impossible.
II is known that the duel was fought
about o'clock Sunday morning. The place
Of meeting was on the banks OF creek
back OF Oakwood, and not great distance
from the Yoik-River railroad.
1t was stipulated in the agreement that
no person should be on the ground save the
principals and their seconds. 1t was re.
ported that two surgeons were near the
field, but only one was in waiting for the
issue OF the conflict. 80
OFF FOR THE FIELD.
About 4 O'Clock Sunday morning Mr.
Elan, accompanied by bis second, Mr.
James 3. Walters, OF the Wing stafY, drove
in carriage to the place OF meeting which
had been reedupon. They were accom-.
panied by a surgeon on horseback. Colonel
Smith, with his second, MIR. Bernard p
Greene, OF Fauquier, General William ii
Payne, and Captain Alexander Payne, lef
the residence OF Mr.. w. l.. Royall about tbt
same hour in buggies, and arrived on The
ground shortly after Mr.. Elam and Mr.
Walters. After
BRIEF CONFERENCE
between the regular seconds, the ground
for the conflict was selected about three
fourths OF mile from the place OF meeting
When within half a mile OF the field tht
surgeon halted to await any summons thai
might be made for his services.
The carriage-driver was then ordered
upon penalty OF death, to remain at tbt
same spot. The principals and seconds
then proceeded to the duelling-ground.
AT TWELVE PAGES.
Mr.. Walters requested that the distance
be not more than twelve PAGES, ns his prin
cipal was near-signted, and any greater space
would place him at a disadvantage. Thi:
request was readily acceded TO. The com
batants then took their staLd twelve PAGES
apart. At the signal both fired almost ST.
Mr.. Elan was seen to stag
ger and wheel around to the left. AZ be
e;,,1r inO ~ 10
sprang forward and eased him to a reclin'
ing position. The other principal, who was
and his friends came promptly
to the assistance OF the wounded man.
AFTER THE SHOT.
Leaving him in their charge, Mr.. Walters
ran with all possible haste TO summon thu
surgeon. When he returned with tha
party Mr.. Elam was found alone. Th'
other principal and his friends had, at th'
earnest solicitation OF Mr.. Elan, fed from
the field and made their es cape. g.
It IS understood that Colonel Smith ant
friends drove to the White House, iron
which place they walked to Lester Manor
1t is also reported that from this point the!
expected to leave for Baltimore on freigh
boat. Last night in well-informed circles
however, 1t was not believed that they hat
left the State.
TEE WOUND.
Mr., Elan was struck In tho oontre Of th
chin, the ball splitting the bone and embed
ding itself under the tongue. The counter
stroke broke the jaw-bone on the right SID
Of the face. The ball knocked out lou
teeth and buried portion OF the beard II
the wound. The ball was extracted on tb
field. Mr.. Elan tainted several times be
fore the arrival OF the surgeon. After re
ceiyisg proper attention Mr.. Elan was car
ried TO the residence Of his friend Mr. Jane
r. Walters, No. 500 north Sixth street, an
DR.. Hugh NJ. Taylor called in.
HIS CONDITION.
Yesterday the wounded man was Vislte'
by large number OF friends and sympa
thizers. Last night the wound was reporte'
to be dangerous one. and Mr. Exam I'd
suffered great pain. He is unable to tax
apv food except through a glass tube. Al
though his injuries are reported dangerou
and painful, no serious results are antic'
pated, although some time will necessaril
e,apse before he will be fully restored I
health and usefulness.
THE CAsUs BELLr.
The cause OF the hostile meeting Is attr
buted to the closing paragraph oil the 10
lowing extract from an editorial In IN
Richmond Whig of June 1st last under tn
caption OF "PolItical Pirates :"
"Tbe career OF these political buccaneer
has been marked by every pertdy.
1860 they abandoned the National DE
mocracy in its supreme hour OF trial an
plunged Virginia into secession, revolu
tion. and war to promote their own selns
purposes. Having thus precipitated u
into long and saDguinary struggle, the
enprossed for themselves all the position
OF honor, profit, and trust, (and OF safet
as well,) while the masses OF u
deceived people were sent to slaughte
and nriyatiop. Never for one momer
during the whole four years OF strli
did they forget the spoils; never 10
one moment did their partisaDr
Weld 10 craftsmanship or PATRIOTISM
and the Confederacy was LETT to driit
ruin amidst their petty Jealousy oi abie
and better men who did not belong to thel
faction. and their own chickering's ana Oh
ierepces over the plunder when the
reserved for themselves. while the peopl
starved and the army was unpaid and nnsuI
nlied. Even In the final collapse and cata
tronhe these creatures were true TO the gre
Yelling instincts OF their natures, ana III
Confederacy, as a civil and political exis
ence, perished miserably as It's rresioeh
the Governor OF Virginia. and the VINO
bomb-proof corps grabbed the remalni,na
swag and sneaked away In humliating I'll
cuise and shameful trepidation."
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
To this article, or at least this portion,
IL. Judge Smith, son Of Ex-Governor WI
liam smith, who was the Executive OF VI
ginia at the time referred to, took exec
fion. He wrote to Mr.. Elam demanding
know the author Of the article, and II oe'
eral and Ex-Governor William Smith WI
Intended to be referred to. Mr.. Elan T
utlih0r Al the lrIlel