Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-01-31
Dueling in the Navy.

place, particularly in the navy, within
the last thirty or forty years regard
ing the subject. It is true that even at
the time it was practiced everywhere
there were some few persons of infiu-
ence always opposed to the custom. but
they were only small minority 1t is
not worth while now to argue the ques-
ton whether or not dueling was right or
wrong; the purpose of this article only
aims at relating some OF the meetings
between parties who went to the field.
In 1914, when on the African station,
under the command of Commodore
Matthew C. Perry, the flagship Mace
donian, Captain Isaac Mayo, was visit
ing the Island of Grand Canary, where
two of the Midshipmen fought; they
used the old-fashioned ships pistols,
carrying bullet nearly. as large as a
musket ball. Owing to the unavoidable
difficulties the friend of one of the gen.
tlemen could not get leave from the
ship that day, so it was agreed that one
second should act for both. At the word
both fired, and both were wounded; one
was struck just over the right eye-the
ball glanced, running around the skull
under the scalp and lodged over the left
eye; the other was hit in the side on one
OF the small ribs, and the ball brought
up against the backbone. Strange to
say, neither fell, for at the distance
ten paces-with such heavy bullets, one
would think an OK would be obliged to
fall. The person shot in the head in
sisted upon another fire, but his oppo-
nent declared positively that nothing
could induce him to fire at man blind
ed by blood which was streaming from
the wound. The one second also de-
clared that he had enough of it; and.
also, that as both were wounded, he
thought that both ought to be satisfied.
That was the first intimation that the
party demanding another shot had that
his opponent was shot, SO he readily
consented to let the affair 60 no further
at that time, reserving the privilege of
another meeting when both were IN
fighting trim With that understanding
the party returned to the ship.
One of the gentlemen, the one wound
ed in the side, not having very nice
coat, borrowed one of a messmate, and
the first thing be said to his friend
when getting on board ship was: ''Your
coat is all right. but [ am not He
had taken the precaution to pull the
coat off, fearing it might be injured. OF
course all the midshipmen knew the
fight was to come off, and We're anX-
iously excited, for each was of such
character as to cause the belief that
they were in earnest, but were greatly
pleased that it ended as it did, both be-
ing deservedly popular. The two never
met again, as one of them was ordered
to one of the ships of the squadron, the
other retained on board the MacedO-
MAN. Had they ever met the fight
would have been renewed without a
doubt. In 1916 or At, when the United
States fleet was blockading the port of
Vera Cruz, the gentleman who was shot
in the side was drowned while rowing
guard to the northward of the castle; a
violent ''northe1" sprung up, suddenly
as usual, and the sea swamped the boat
The morning after this sad loss his
enemy joined the squadron, having
been sent by the Navy Department I'M
der these orders, and the first news he
heard was that his opponent was dead!
Some years after that the remaining
one was lost, presumably drowned, as
the ship to which he belonged has never
been heard of since she left her last |
port! Singular that both met the same
:ate, is it not?
The duel caused great excitement at |
Palmas Grand Canary, for such do
ngs had never been even heard of in |
hat entirely original town. If one of |
he officers of the frigate was on the |
street nearly every person meeting him |
would stop short, place himself in |
position and fire off an imaginary pistol! |
even the ladies were never tired of talk |
ng about it, and seemed not to know
Why, if one hated the other so, he did not
tab him in the dark. or hire some one |
o kill HIM. They could never COM
,rehend the Americans and their ways.
The ship was crowded for days by the
,est people of the place. asking thou
and questions and visiting the wound
ID fellows. One of the girls, a very
'eautiful and accomplished person,
sked for and was given the ball that
truck one of the two who fought!
The Commodore and Captain were
wing on shore at the time of the duel;
o of course, the executive officer sent
eport of the occurrence as soon as the
arties returned to the ship. Now,
Perry was bitterly opposed
D the code, but Captain Mayo strongly
pproved of it; as far as his duty per-
litted, he gave every encouragement
D such doings. When, therefore, the
eport reached them, the Commodore
ave Captain Mayo orders never to allow
ither of the fighters to leave the ship
Thile on the station; but Captain Mayo
aid he liked young blood" (whatever
nat means), and ordered his steward
} 60 off to the ship with tub of ice and
everal bottles of wine for the use of the
and to tell them to let him
now at any time if he could do any
hing for them! Commodore Perry said
e was astonished at Captain Ms con-
uct, greatly encouraging dueling, out
[. did not mind that. and was evidently
roud of his spirited young officers
Vash,mgto'a Star.
General Butler hopes to live long
1ough to ride in car made of iron