The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-07-09

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now come to the most marvellous
dueling adventures in which Stockton
was engaged, and this l shall give as 1
heard the story told by its hero one day
after dinner and in the presence of sew
eral 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 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 infalHble;
and if any particulars are missing
(Which do not believe to be the easel
they are offered as subject to correc-
ton by 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 affront to be
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 short crnise 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.
that the British authorities of the town
should not be informed of the duel, with
view to ordering his arrest, and q
pledge was given that there should
be no interference. "Under these
circumstances" said Stockton, 81 went
ashore without distrust. The flag had
been grossly insulted by British Off
Ger. who was now backed up by COM
rades. was 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 spot near the
top of the rock, where they met the OPP
posing party. 1t then appeared that no
immediate fighting was contemplated,
for the Englishmen began to enter upon
a discussion and to raise frivolous OBJ
jections to the recognized code of duel
ing. Stockton, seeing that all this
tended to delay, and suspecting treach-
cry. suddenly declared that he would
waive all rights and fight at once upon
whatever terms his opponent chose to
exact. After such a 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 confession that
treachery had been practiced, and that
instant fight was necessary If his OPP
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 file of
soldiers, drawn up to oppose his
passage. The officer in command
was a 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 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 resolve as desperate. The
officer was off his guard and was chuck
ling with delight. Now was the instant
for dash. Now stiffen 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
full officer. He grappled with him; he
got his head under his arm; he jumped
with him from the parapet, and in a
moment 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