Sharp County record., 1881-07-07
An lmsrlean Ofieer,s DusI at GIbraItar.


after dinner and in the presence OF sew
eraI gentlemen who were lingering
about the table. Since writing out the
narrative given below. l have found IN
the Boston City Library an anonymous
life Of Stockton, apparently written loT
some political purpose, and Puo-Lsned
in 1856. The writer gives an account
of this duel from heresay and "accord-
ING to remembrance ~ The narrative
differs from mine in several respects,
and omits some striking particulars
which l am certain that l heard from
the principal actor. There must exist
materials for an authentic life OF the
brilliant Commodore, and most inter-
esting book it would be. Neither my
memory nor my journal is inta!lioIe;
and if any particulars are missing
(Which l do not believe to be the CASEY
thev are offered as subject to correc-
ton By a responsible biographer.
The scene was at Gibraltar, and there
had been a previous duel between
Stockton and British officer attached
to the station, who, however. was not
the officer from whom the atIrOnt to De
avenged had really come. There had
been charges and cOunter-chargeS, ne
gotiations and ordinations. till finally
the American officer in command put a
stop to the proceedings by an order
that none Of his subOrdinates should 90
ashore while the ship remained in that
port. The lull was only temporary.
After a short cruise the Erie returned
to Gibraltar. and this time the real Of
fender was forced by the public opinion
OF his fellows to give the Yankee Lieu
tenant the meeting he had demanded.
4 guaranty was required by Stockton
that the British authorities OF the town
should not be informed OF the duel, with
a view to ordering his arrest, and a
pledge was given that there should
be no interference. Under these
circumstances said Stockton, ii went
ashore without distrust. The flag had
been grossly insulted By British Off
Ger. who was now backed up by 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, had
announced that he would hang any
Yankee who came ashore for the pur-
pose of fighting. and, although it was
not probable that he would have dared
to carry out the threat, he would have
been ugly enough had he caught me. 1t
was arranged between our seconds that,
upon landing, we should be conducted
to retired place, where the duel might
come of without interference. British
honor was pledged to this, and, believ-
ing it still to be worth something, was
rOwed ashore, accompanied by my sec
ond and the ships Doctor The graphic
description OF what followed must be
given in feeble outline. The Ameri-
cans were conducted to a spot near the
top Of the rock, where they met the op-
posing party. 1t then appeared that no
immediate fighting was contemplated,
for the Euglishmen began to enter upon
a discussion and to raise frivolous OBJ
iections to the recognized code of duel
ing. Stockton, seeing that all this
tended to delay, and suspecting treach-
erv, suddenly declared that--he would
waive all rights and fight at once upon
whatever terms his opponent chose to
exact. After such declaration no re-
treat was possible. The ground was
measured, shots were exchanged, and
the British officer fell wounded. Stock
ton advanced to inquire into the nature
Of the injury, and then the wretched
man was shamed into a confession that
treachery had been practiced, and that
instant fight was necessary If his op-
ponent would avoid arrest. Upon this
the Lieutenant started for his boat, run
ming at full speed. His way lay through
a passage cut out of the rock, which
gave access to the beach below. Upon
turning a corner, when about half way
down, he was confronted by a file Of
soldiers, drawn up to oppose his
passage. The officer in command
was pursy little fellow, who
seemed to enjoy hugely the dis
comfture Of his supposed captive.
There stood this merry gentleman upon
a parapet which guarded the road. and
which was raised a few feet above it.
His squad was ranged in line with
him, completely cutting off the passage.
There was not moment for delay; the
situation was desperate it could be met
only by a resolve as desperate The
officer was off his guard and was chuck
ling with delight. Now was the instant
for dash. Now stitfen the sinews,
summon up the blood, and there was
yet chance for liberty. Instead Of
making the surrender which was ex-
pected. Stockton sprang at this cheer
ful officer He grappled with him; he
got his head under his arm; he jumped
with him from the parapet, and in
momeIt he two men clasped together
were rolling over and down the side Of
the rocks. Presently the parties sepa-
rated. the Englishman rolling one way
and the American another. At length
Stockton managed to stop his perilous
descent and dropped a number of feet
to the beach below. Covered with blood
and dirt, with his clothes nearly ripped
from him, he accosted a gentleman who
was taking his morning ride upon the
beach, and begged the instant loan of
his horse. This request the rider un-
naturally declined. Whereupou he was
seized BY the leg and pulled from the
saddle. His assailant instantly mount