The Brookhaven leader., 1883-07-12
THE DAYS OF FORTY-NINE.
Rccollections of an Army-Officer In Cali
fornia-EarIy Dueis and Duelists.

Rccollectious of an Army-Officer In Cali
fornia-EarIy Duels and Dueiists.
believe that the first duel on the
coast was between q chap from New
York. wao had been a midshipman in
the navy, and q Southerner 1t took
place in the old presidio, or cemetery,
among the grass-grown graves. No
one was killed, but blood was drawn.
The feeling was intense between men
from the two sections, the SouthernerS
treating the Yankees with contempt,
and the Yankees reSenting it with spirit.
The Scutheincrs imagined that tie
Yankees would not fight, but found
they were mistaken. Although they
were opposed to the code, they did not
propose 10 be buil,ed, SO it came about
that nearly every personal difficulty was
settled in that manner.
THe first duel that | was concerned in
was between a young man from Phila-
dclphia. named Graham, and General
Walker, afterward of Nicaragua fame.
It Grew out of n violent attack on the
County Court, Of which Judge Morrison
was the head, in the San Francisco
Hrruhi, by Walker, who was one of the
editors. Young Graham was a protcge
of Judge Morrison, and without con-
Sutlng him he wrote very denuncia-
tory letter to Walker, which resulted in
challenge. Graham had the choice of
weapons, and he chose reviewers, at
eight PAGES, at the word to advance and
fire until either or both of the parties
were killed. AT that time | was sta
tlhnnI of -.
| received letter from Graham logging
me for Gods sake to come down on Il e
first boat, tat he was in trouble and
wanted me at once. | got ready as
quickly rs possible and caught the even
ing boat, wondering what sort OF n
Scrape Graham had got himself into,
never dreaming of duel. l arrived at
san Francisco late at night and went at
once to Graham's room, where found
him in consultation with his frien Is. |
was there informed of what had occurred,
and the pleasant news was impaired to
me that had been chosen his fighting
second. Here was row between two
men, with neither of whom had more
than slight acquaintance, and in
whom had no particular interest. The
terms were unusually sanguinary, and
the affair would probably terminate in
the death of one or both. Under the
code, if one of the principals showed
the white feather his second was
obliged to take his place and fight it
out. 1t was situation that did not
relish in the least. | knew that Wal.
ker was regular tire-eater, and would
fight to the death, but Graham I was
not exactly sure of. His terms were
bloody enough, but then he had never
been tried, and if the thing went on he
might weaken and have to take it up.
| laborcd with him to obtain some mod
liicatiOn of his terms. told him that
they were SO sanguinary that Walker
would be justified in declining them.
We sat up all night, and tried our best
to bring about peaceable adjustment,
but il was no use. The fight was to
come off at nine o'clock in the morn
ing, and, finding no escape, l was
obliged to make the best of it. We
had our breakfast and took carriage
for the dueling ground. On the way
Graham told me that he was dead
shot, and that he intended to kill Wal
ker on the first fire. | halted the car
rage, and told him that | would not 90
step further if that was his purpose
If he were the expert marksman that
he claimed to be it would be little less
than murder, and proposed to wash
my hands of the affair unless he would
promise to wing his man instead of
killing him. At last he agreed to it,
and we went ahead. On the ground we
found Walker and his second, who was
Captain Folsom, of the army. tried
to effect an adjustment of the
difficulty, but without success. l had
taken the precaution to dress my
man in black from head to foot,
without particle of white anywhere
Wis bic. Walker was in blue swallow
ia led coat, with buff vest and black
pants. His coat was buttoned, and be-
low the breast the light line of his vest
could be seen. The impending fight
was known to the whole of San Fran
cisco, and, as it was Sunday, not less
than 5000 people were on the ground
TO witness the sport. Among the most
interested spectators was Alexander
Wells, then Chief-Justice of California.
The ground was measured, pegs driven,
and | won the word. TIE men were
placed in position and the signal given.
Gentlemen, are you ready? Fire!
one, two. three, halt" At the word
both wheeled and fired. Walker stood
still, but Graham advanced one pace
and both fired again. After this /
called halt and tried to bring about a
compromise. but was not suco essful.
Walker had his blood up and proposed
10 Kill or be killed then and there.
went to Graham and told HIM that all
parleyirg was at an end; that Walker
proposed to kill him if he could. and
that / absolYed him from the promise