The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-11-08

A STORY OF THE WAR.
A Strange and Deadly Duel Be-
tween a "Fed" and a "Reb,"

tween a "Fed" and a "Reb."
There occurred at Martinsburg Va, in the
summer of 1864, one of those strange duels
that sometimes take place in battle, and
which make lasting impression on the
mind of the looker-on. 1t was the 18th of
September, the day before Early and Little
Phil fought their first pitched battle. A force
of cavalry and infantry had that morning
been sent to capture the First brigade of
Averill's division at Martinsburg and turn
Sheridan's right. Had the movement been
successful, the Union position at Berryvile
would have been rendered somewhat preca-
rious. But the troops which had been in
trusted with the safety Of the point were no
home guards ; they knew the value of the
prize eontended for, and we're prepared to
make the rebs pay dearly for every inch of
ground they gained. The charging aud
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. a.
About the middle of the afternoon there
came hull in the struggle, as if each side
had stopped ssto paut a little" before making
some final and desperate effort to crush its ad
versary. 1t was during this interval of com
parative quiet and inactivity that the duel re-
ferred 70 took place. In front, and little to
the left, Of the q non line there WAS all eie-
vstion where once, at the beginning of the
war, perhaps, there had stood a goodly growth
of forest trees, which had been cut down and
hauled away. The stumps we're still stand
ing and afforded good shelter for the skirm-
ishers. A squad of cavalry belonging to a
Pennsylvania regiment were sent to occupy
this emuence as sort of flank guard to the
Union line. The rebel sharpshooters at once
opened fire upon them and soon made the po-
sition 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 sharp
shooters. The Yank seemed to be in nc
hurry to leave his unfortunate horse, and
was leisurely removing the saddle, bride,
ETC., when he noticed a rebel cavalryman ap.
preaching with the evident intention of max
ing 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
transpiring.
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 9
stump. The two men were not more than
200 yards apart, and each Of them seemed tc
realize the fact that he must either conquer
or die. The Yank placed his hat on top Of
the stump, and Immediately the reb shot il
of. Neither Of them could expect to ge,
away until the other was either killeC
or badly wouaded. Neither could expect tt
kill or cripple his adversary unless he should
make what was called close shot, for botl
men were careful not to expose any more o
, heir persons than was absolutely necessary
while taking aim. They fired perhaps hal
dozen shots apiece, when the reb resortet
to ruse. He remained quiet and inactive
for some moments. carefully concealng every
part of his body from the view of his oppo
nent. The Union soldier began to suspec
that his last shot had done its work, ant
growing inquisitve he gradually raised hi
head above his little fortificatisn to see wha
had become of the reb. The latter had plan
ned well. His Sharp's carbine was ALREADY
! in position, and when the Yank had exposed
his head and part Of his chest The Johnni,
| fired. The shot took effect in the Union sol
dier's cheek, and he fell backward With
shrek. We saw the reb go to him, lift hin
up in sitting posture, and help to bathe thu
ugly wound then, when he had rendered hi
fallen foe all possible assistance, We saw hin
take up his own gun and tradge off to hi
companions. He could have been killed o
captured, but we had seen his noble conduc
| toward his unfortunate adversary and w.
greeted his departure with rousing cheer
The Union soldier had frightfuI wound
but, believe, eventually recovered.-CLicu
! 90 Inter-Ocean.