The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-04
COMMODORE STOCKTON.
An Account of HIS Most Remarkable
Duel.
THE independently

ing adventure in which Stockton was en-
gagged. and this I shall give as heard the
story told by its hero one day after dinner
and in the presence of several gentlemen
who were lingering about the table Since
writing out the narrative given below
I have found in the Boston City
Library an anonymous life of Stockton,
written for some political
purpose. and published in 1856. The
writer gives an account of this duel from
hearsay and according 10 his remem-
brance." The narrative differs from mine
in several respects, and omits some striking
particulars which / am certain that heard
from the principal actor. There must exist
materials for an authentic life OF the bril-
liant Commodore, and most interesting
book il would be. Neither my memory nor
nv journals are infallible, and If any partic-
ulars are mIsstated (which do not believe TO
be the case) they are offered as subject to
correction by responsible biographer.
The scene was at Gibraltar, and there had
been a previous duel between Stockton and
a 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 countercharges
negotiations ant examinations, till nnally
the American officer in command put
a stop to proceedings by the order that
none of his subordinates should go
ashore while the ship remained in that
port. The lull was only temporary. After
q short cruise the Erie returned to Gibral-
tar, and this time the real offender was
forced by the public opinion of his fellows
to give the Yankee Lieutenant the meeting
be he'd demanded. A guarantee was re-
auired bv Stockton that the British au-
thorities of the town should not be in
formed of the duel, with view TO order
ing his arrest; and a pledge was given
that there should be no interference.
Under these circumstances, said Stock
ton. II vent ashore without distrust.
The flag had been grossly insulted by
British officer who was now backed up by
his comrades / was the only unmarried
officer on board the Erie, and my duty was,
of course, clear. The Governor of the fort
ress. during our previous visit, had an
nounced that he would hang any Yankee
who came ashore for the purpose of fight
ing; and, although il was not probable that
he would have dared to carry out the threat,
he would have been ugly enough had he
caught me. Ii was arranged between our
seconds that upon landing, We should
be conducted to retired place,
where the duel might come off without in
reference. British honor was pledged to
this, and, believing il still to be worth some
something, | was rowed ashore, accompa-
MED by my second and the ships doctor.
The graphic description of what followed
must be given in a feeble outline. The
Americans were conducted TO spot near
the top of the rock where they met the
opposing party. 1t then appeared that no
| immediate fighting was intended, for the
Englishmen began to enter upon discus
sion, and to raise frivolous oblec-
tions to the recognized code OF duel
| ing. Stockton, seeing that all this tended to
delay, and suspecting treachery, suddenly
declared that he would waive all right and
| fight at once upon whatever terms his oppo-
| nent might choose TO exact After such de-
claration no retreat was possible. The ground
was measured. shots were exchanged, and
the British officer fell wounded. Stockton
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 iii ght was
necessary il his opponent would avoid ar
rest. Upon this the Lieutenant started fol-
his boat, running at full speed. His way
| Law 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 bya file of soldiers
drawn up to oppose his passage. The officer
in command was a pursy little fellow, who
seemed to enjoy hugely the discontinue oil
his supposed captive There stood this merry
gentleman upon a parapet which guarded
.he road, and which was raised few feet
above it. His squad was ranged in a line
with him, completely cutting of the pas
sage There was not moment for delay
the situation was desperate; il could be met
only by resolve as desperate. The officer
was off his guard and was chuckling with
delight Now was the instant for q dash
| Now stiffen the sinews, summon up the
blood, and there was yet chance for liber
W Instead of making the surrender which
was expected, Stokcton sprang at this
cheerful officer. He grappled with him
he got his head under his ARM ht
jumped with him from the parapet, and IL
a moment the two men claSped togethe
were rolling over and down the side OF thu
rock. Presently the parties separated. the
Englishman rolled one way and the Ameri
can another. At length Stockton managed
to stop his perilous descent and dropped ;
number of feet to the beach below. Covered
with blood and dirt, with his clothes nearl,
stripped from him, he accosted a gentleman
who was taking his morning ride upon thu
beach, and begged the instant loan of hi
horse. This request the rider not unnatural
liz declined. Whereupon he was seized b,
the leg and pulled from the saddle. His as
sailant instantly mounted the horse ant
putting him to his speed made for the boat
He looked up for a moment and saw tn
soldiers running about in distracted man
ner, most of them tearing down the road 4
cut MIN Oli OlOChbOhy hNNC'CAi LSoShc'
the boat. gave the order to pull for tn
frigate and then tainted. He did not recOv
er consciousness until he found himself II
lis berth on board the Erie.
These events were related at the persisten
request of Others. They were given modestly
but with great spirit There were at tina
: time living witnesses to the escape, and tn
; facts connected with it were we'll known.
have already said that We must regar,
Stockton's duels from the point of view O
: the profession TO which he was devoted
' The highest officers of the Navy sanctione,
5 this barbarism as duty to which brave on,
honorable man might be called. Only a =
years before my visit to Washington fou
/ American Commodores left the city on thi
( miserable business. Decatur and Barro
a were the principals cambridge and Ellio
I acting as seconds. The brave and gallan
e Decatur, the pride of the American Navy
a there met hts death. II is not necessary /
e resort to Christian ethics to condemn
n practice which has cost such valuable lives
4 bnt let us do justice to the high-minde
: men who were victims of an infatuatio
4 which We have left behind us.