The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-11-30

Duel Bc<wecu . -'fesf" and "a -Erb.
There occurred at Martinsbure,
Va, in the summer Of 1854, one OF
those strange duels that sometimes
take place in battle, and which make
a lasting impression upon the mind
of the locker on. 1t was on the 18th
of September, the day before Early
and Phil fought their frst pitched
battle. A fofce of cavalry and in
fantry had that morning been gent
70 capture the Frst brigade Of Aver
+ ills division at Martinsburg and turn
Sheridan's right Had the move
ment been successful, the Union
position at Berryville would have
been rendered somewhat precarious.
But the troops which had been en-
trusted with the safety of the point
were no home guards they knew
the value OF the prize contended for,
and were prepared to make the rebs
pay dearly for every inch Of ground
they gained. The charging and
counter-charging were disgustingly
frequent, and many were the deeds
of personal daring that transpired as
the tide of battle surged from street
to street and out upon the open
field.
About the middle of the afternoon
there came lull in the struggle, al
if each side had stopped '.to pant a
little" before making some final and
desperate struggle to crush its ad-
versary. 1t was during this inter
val of comparative quiet and mac
tivity that the duel referred to took
place. In front, and little to the
left, of the Union line there was an
elevation where once, at the begin
ming of the war, perhaps, there had
stood = goodly growth of forest
trees, which had been cut down and
hauled away. The stumps were
still standing and afforded good
shelter to skirmishers. A squad of
cavalry belonging to Pennsylvania
regiment was sent to occupy this
eminence as a sort of flank guard to
the Union line. The rebel sharp
shooters at once opened fire upon
them and soon made the position
untenable for the Union squad,
which then moved further off to get
out of range, leaving behind them one
of their comrades, whose horse had
been wounded by the sharpshooters-
The Yank seemed to be in no hurry
to leave his unfortunate horse, and
was leisurely removing the saddle,
bride, ETC., when he noticed rebel
cavalryman approaching with the
evident intention Of making him
prisoner. 1t was about this stage Of
the game that the attention Of those
of us upon the left was called to
witness what was transporting.
The Yank took shelter behind a
stump. and at once opened fire.
His first shot killed the reb's horse,
and then he. too, got behind
stump. The two men were not moro
than 200 yards apart, and each Of
them seemed to realize that he must
conquer or die. The Yank placed
his hat on top the stump, and inn
mediately the reb shot it off, Meth
er of them could expect to get away
until the other was either killed or
badly wounded. Neither could ex-
pect to kill or cripple his adversary
unless he should make what WIS
called close shot, for both men
were careful not to expose any more
of their person than was absolutely
necessary while taking aim. They
fred perhaps q half dozen shots
apiece, when the reb resorted to a
ruse. He remained quiet and inac-
tive for some moments, carefully
concealing every part of his body
from the view OF his opponent. The
Union soldier began to suspect that
his last shot hod done its work, and
growing inquisitive be gradually
raised his head above his little forti-
fication to see what had become of
the red. The latter had planned
well. His Sharpe's carbine was al
ready in position, and when the
Yank had exposed his head and
part of his chest the Johnnie fired
The shot took effect in the Union
soldiers cheek, and he fell back
ward with shrek. We saw the
reb go to him, lift him up in sitting
posture, and help to bathe the ugly
wound then, when he had render
ed his fallen foe all possible assist
ance, we saw him take up his own
gun and trudge off to his compan-
ions. He could have been killed or
captured, but we had seen his noble
conduct toward his unfortunate ad-
versary, and we regretted his depart
ure with n rousing cheer. The
Union soldier had frightfnl wound,
but, believe, eventually recovered.
-htsr- Ocean.