Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-04
coMMoDoRE sToCKToN's DUEL.
A desperate Act by which He save"
Himself from Capture.

ing Strlklng lnCluont .1.
I now come TO the most marVeious
dueling adventure in which STOCKTON
was engaged and this ] shall give as
heard the story told by its hero one
dav after dinner and in the presence OF
several gentlemen who were lingering
about the table Since writing out the
narrative given below have found IN
the Boston City Library an anonymous
life of Stockton, apparently written for
some political purpose, and published
in 1856. The writer gives an account
of this duel from hearsay and "accord-
ing to his remembrance" The nara
tive differs from mine in several respects,
and omits seine striking particulars
which | am certain that heard from
the principal actor. There must exlsU
materials for an authentic lite OF the
brilliant Commodore, and most inter-
estjnp book it would be. Neither my
memory nor my journals are lnfalllple,
and if any particulars are mlss'a'eu
(which | do not believe to be the case)
thew are offered as subject to correction
by a responsible biographer
The scene was at Gibraltar, ana theie
had been previous duel between Stock
ton and British officer attached TO
the station, who, however, was not the
officer from whom the atfront to De
avenged had really come. There Had
been charges and counter-charges, ne-
gotiations and examinations, till final
" the American officer in command put
q stop to proceedings by an order that
none of his subordinates should 60
ashore while the ship remained IN that
port. The lull was only temporary.
After short cruise the Erie returned
to Gibraltar, and this time the real Of
fender was forced by the public opln-
ion of his fellows to give the Yankee
lieutenant the meeting he had demand
ed. A guaranty was required by Stock
ton that the British authorities OF the
town should not be informed Of the duel,
with view to ordering his arrest, and
pledge was given that there should be
, no interference. "Under these clrcum-
stances" said Stockton" II went ashore
without distrust. The flag had been
grossly insulted by British officer,
who was now backed up by his com
rades. Twas the only unmarried officer
on board the Erie, and my duty was
of course clear. The governor OF the
fortress, during our previous visit, hat
announced tnat he would hang any
Yankee who came ashore for the purpose
of fighting, and, although it was no
probable that he would have dared t.
carry out the threat, he would have beef
ugly enough had he caught me. 1t wa
arranged between our seconds that
upon landing, we should be conducte'
to retired place where the duel nigh
come off without interference. BIRTHS
honor was pledged to this, and, beliey
ing it still to be worth something, wa
rowed ashore, accompanied by my sec
ond and the ships doctor" The graph
ic description of what followed must b
given in a feeble outline. The Amer
cans were conducted to spot near tn
top of the rock, where they met the OF
posing party. 1t then appeared tia
no immediate fighting was contempli
ted, for the Englishman began to ent'
upon discussion, and to raise frivolol
objections to the recognized code of d1
cling. Stockton, seeing that all tn
tended to delay, and suspecting treac
cry, suddenly declared that he Won
waive all rights and fight at once upt
whatever terms his opponent chose
enact. After such declaration no T
treat was possible. The ground VIZ
measured, shots were exchanged, al
the British officer fell wounded. StOcl
ton advanced to inquire into the natu
of the injury, and then the wreteh'
man was ashamed into a confession tn
treachery and been practiced, and tn
instant flight was necessary if his opp
neus would avoid arrest. Upon IL
the Lieutenant started for his boz
running at full speed. His way j
through a passage cut out OF the TO
which gave access to the beach belo
Upon turning corner, when about hi
way down, he was confronted by +
of soldiers, drawn up to oppose his p'
sage. The officer in command wal
pursy little fellow, who seemed to e
JOY hugely the discontinue of his 81
posed captive. There stood this mel
gentleman upon a parapet which gu
ded the road and which was raise