Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-02


fortress, during our previous visit, had
announced that he would hang any
Yankee who came ashore for the purpose
Of fighting, and, although it was not
probable that he would have dared to
carry out the threat, be 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 off 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 graph
ic 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 contempla-
ted, for the Englishman began to enter
upon discussion, and to raise frivolous
objections to the recognized code of du-
cling Stockton, seeing that all this
tended to delay, and suspecting treach-
cry, suddenly declared that be would
waive all rights and fight at once upon
whatever terms his opponent chose to
enact. 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 ashamed into confession that
treachery and been practiced, and that
instant fight was necessary if his oppo-
nent would avoid arrest. Upon this
the Lieutenant started for his boat,
running at full speed. His way lay
through passage cut out of the rock
which gave access to the beach below.
Upon turning corner, when about half
way down, he was confronted by file
Of soldiers, drawn up to oppose his pas
sage. The officer in command was a
pursy little fellow, who seemed to en-
Joy hugely the discontinue Of his sup
posed captive. There stood this merry
gentleman upon a parapet which guar
ded the road, and which was raised q
few feet above it. His squad was rang
ed in line with him, completely cut
ting off the passage. There was not a
moment for delay; the situation was
desperate it could be met only by
resolve as desperate. The officer was
off his guard and was chuckling with
delight. Now was the instant for a
dash. Now stitfen the sinews, summon
up the blood land there was yet chance
for liberty. Instead Of making the sur
render which was expected, Stockton
sprang at this cheerful officer. He
graapled with him be got his head un-
der his arm ; he jumped with him from
the parapet, and in 4, a moment the two
men clasped together were rolling over
and down the side of the rock. Pres
emily the parties separated, the Eng
lishman rolling one way and the Amer
lean another. At length Stockton man
aged to stop his perilous descent and
dropped a number of feet to the beach
below. Covered with blood and dirt,
with his clothes nearly stripped from
him, he accosted gentleman who was
taking his morning ride upon the beach
and begged the instant loan of his horse.
This request the rider not unnaturally
declined. Whereupon he was seized by
the leg and pulled from the saddle. His
assailant mounted the horse and putting
him to his speed made for the boat. He
looked up for a moment and saw the
soldiers running about IN a distracted
manner, most of them tearing down the
road to cut him Off Stockton, howev-
er, reached the boat, gave the order to
pull for the friga tie, and then tainted.
He did not recover consciousness until
he found himself in his berth on board
the Erie.
These events were related at the per
sistent request of others. They were
given modestly, but with great spirit.
There were at that time living witness
es to the escape, and the facts connected
with it were well known. | have al
ready SAID we must regard Stockton's
duels from the point Of view of the pro-
tessiOn to which he was devoted. The
highest officers in the Navy sanctioned
this barbarism as a duty to hich
brave and honorable man mig bit be
called. Only few years before my
visit to Washington four American COM
modnres left the CITY on this miserah le