Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-22
a DUEL ON HORSEBACK.

DUEL ON HORSEBACK.
Apropos of the recent marriage at Paris
OF Miss Emily Schaumburg, of Philadel.
phia, to an Eoglish gentleman, Colonel
Charles Hughes Hallett, the New Orleans
Times tells picturesque story of famous
duel fought on horseback near that city,
many years ago, by Miss Schaumbure's
father, then a Lieutenant in the Second
Dragons. 1t is pleasing tale itself, and
suggests curious reflections on the differ.
ence between the social ethics of New Or.
leans half century ago and those of New
York as illustrated in the Loubat. Turnbull
affair to-day. Lieutenant Schaumburg,
dwelling IN New Orleans, had difficulty
with creole gentleman of the class so
strikingly described by Mr.. Cable in the
"Grandissimes. This particular Grand.
issime was one of three brothers famed for
their chlvalric valor-the Cuvelliers, Alex
| ander, Adolphe and Joseph. The latter
still survives, an octogenarian, universally
respected by the ancient citizens of New
Orleans. He is a mild, gentle and amiable
old gentleman, who still halts of one leg
from an injury received in one of bis youth
| full rencontres.
1 SuNOliicT u MAS WHO Called
Lieutenant Schaumburg to account for
some slight put upon his honor. Schaum.
burg accepted the challenge, and as a cav
airy officer, his brother officers decided
that, having the choice of weapons and
mode OF combat, he enjoyed tie privilege
Of lighting on horseback, with sabers or
swords. His seconds, officers of his regi.
rnent, insisted upon that mode of combat.
| POnuISr eeraftrpant I'D
terms as legitimate. a civilian of delicate
frame, wholly unused to cavalry service,
unskilied in horsemanship or in saber exer.
else, was certainly not the equal adversary
of stalwart, broad. shouldered, heavy
dragon, who had been long practiced and
drilled in the exercises of his art as a cav.
airy officer of the crack dragon regiment
OF the regular United States army
Nevertheless, Cuvellier did not hesitate
to accept the terms of the combat. A
weeks preparation and training were ac-
corded to the parties. Cuvellier placed
himself in the hands and under the train
ing OF two gallant creole gentlemen of
tested courage and skill-Mardeviile Ma
rigny and Emil La Sere, who still live,
some years past 20, remarkable examples
OF well-preserved faculties and spirits.
Marlgny, under the auspices of King Louis
Philippe, in the cavalry school of Saumar,
was classmate of the Duke of Orleans,
and at his graduation had been commits
stoned into the Cuirsssiers, and served sew
ersl campaigns in that corps. He was an
accomplished equestrian and swordsman OF
the coolest courage and of iron nerve. He
assumed the charge and drilling of his
friend Adolphe and of his charger, devoting
many hours of the day to the training OF
both horse and rider. His practice was
that Of the French cuirassiers, who use a
long, straight sword in crest, and at
charge like lance, while the dragoons
weapon is broad, sword, which they can
sweep over the heads, slash and cut ad
iibitum, giving little heed to their adver-
sary's thrust. Schaumburg was drilled
with the bToad.sword
The day, hour and place of the rencontre
had been duly advertised, and the people
Hooked to the race course at Carrollton as
to great festival to witness the combat
There were thousands present, who occu-
pied the seats allotted to the attendants of
the races. There was no charge of admis-
sion to the grounds. The parties were
promptly on the ground at the appointed
hour. Principals and seconds were mount
ed on the best trained and highest blooded
chargers that could be obtained in the city.
Schaumburg had borrowed for the occasion
magnificent blooded stallion, owned by
Celonel Oliver, a sportsman esteemed
throughout the State as a most experienced
stock breeder and Judge of horsehesh.
Cuvelliers had been selected for him
by Msrigny. He, toe, was of high
blood, out of less weighs and power than
his Adversary. The comLatants were
stationed at distance OF leo yards
apart. The blast of a trumpet was the
sIgnalsfor the charge. 1t was calamity and
impetuously made, the splendid chargers
putting themselves en- their highest mettle
and speed, and their riders directing them
against each other with desperate force.
Their words met aud clashed violently.
Cuvellisr, by q s.ight inclination Of iiis
head, pf0t.s-sssG himself frsfr the sweep of
S5hau& burg's srbsf, 1iiion oiove ais s...t
and on covered him, while his own long
sword grazed the neck of Schaumburg
charger. The great impetus of the coin.
batants carried them some distance az.
under, and a halt was sounded, when the
quick and agile second of Cuvellier, Emile
LaSere, leaping from his horse and picking
up the hat of his friend, restored it to
him, SO that when the cavaliers wheeled
they were both in good condition for
another charge.
The trumpet again sounded. The two
high. melted animals, obedient to the
spirit of their riders, again rushed at one
another. The swords again met and
clashed. But that of Cuveliicr was more
certain and vigorous in its aim than in the
previous conflict. While the savage thrust
of Sehaurnburg wasted its power on the
pommel of the saddle of his adversary,
Cuvellier's long sword passed its full
length through the muscular neck of the
noble charger of his adversary, severing
his main arteries and causing him to reel
over and tall to the earth. His rider mar
rowly escaped being crushed under the
wounded charger. The seconds then in
terfered. The combat was declared
of The splendid charger of Col
onel Oliver in q few minutes yielded
up his proud spirit. The parties
retired from the field. The cre5sd dis.
persed much discontented with the result
of the combat. Horror was satisfied hiIs
Colonel Divers besutiful borss vas deliv.
cred over to the stssset commissary, and
very disagreeabls legal question arose as to
the respons bility for this loss aud damage;
who should pay for the horse, his rider or
his slayerf Lieutenant Scbaumburg did
not continue long in the service after this
event, and, removing to Philadelphia, mar
ried lady OF the Page family, engaged in
civil pursuihi, studied law, and was fire.
quenter of illegal and political circles in
Washington and Philadelphia, prosecuting
certain claims against the Government, and
never attracting much attention until his
beautiful daughter Emile effulged upon
society and gave him renown as the father