Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-06-04
A REMARKABLE AFFAIR.
Account Ofn Duel Between Two o Ulcers
which In sted Nineteen Years.

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Cor series of ducl') of any age was the
affair between two French officers
named Fourier and Dupont. This
duel was commenced in 1894 and last
ed nineteen years Fourier had chal-
enged and killed young man named
Blum, at Strasburg, under distressing
circumstances; and General Moreau,
the commandment, who had issued
cards for soiree, which was to take
place upon the evening of the day
of Bllm's funeral, had limited to his
chief of staff (Dupont) just before The
commencement of the arrival of
guests, that the presence of Fournier
might mar the character of the festiv-
tiles. SO, when Fourier appeared
he was denied admission by Dupont,
who was at once challenged, and fought
(with swords) and wounded Fournier.
In amonth or two they fought again,
and Dupont was wounded. Immedi-
ately upon the recovery of the latter
the combatants again met, and both
men received severe and dangerous
wounds. Before retiring from the
field, however they had an agreement
drawn up and sworn to that whenever
afterward they came within one hun
dred miles of each other each should
travel fifty miles toward the other and
renew and continue the fight until at
least one of them was placed horS de
cOmbdt. In the mean time they cor
responded with each other, met and
fought many times during ten or
twelve years, always shaking hands,
and sometimes dining together after
their fights. AT length both became
general officers, and during the year
1873 were ordered to Switzerland.
Dupont arrived at the post at night
put up at the best inn, and learned
shortly after his arrival that Fourier
occupied an adjoining apartment. In
few moments they were at it again,
sword in hand, and the fight was tenn
porarily ended by Dupont running his
steel through his antagonists neck and
pinning Fourier against tho wall.
While in this situation Fourier chal-
lenged Dupont for meeting on the fol-
lowing day. early in the morning,
with pistols, in tie woods near Neuil-
Tyr cried Dupont, greatly to the as
constituent of Fournier, who was
distinguished shot. Good" replied
the latter. clear me-" added Dupont;
4 am about to engage in matrimony.
and have concluded that this matter
of ours must first be permanently set
tied; so | propose that we each arm
ourselves with pair of loaded pistols,
go into the woods together, then sepa-
rate ard walk off in opposite direc-
tions enc hundred PAGES, then turn and
fire at will" The proposition was
accepted by Fourier, and the CON.
batants met the following morning,
went to the woods together. separated,
paced off one hundred steps, turned
and commenced to advance h0stilely.
Dupont, while on his hands and knees,
got sight of Fourier behind a tree.
and at once took up like position.
lie then stuck out a flap Of his coat, rs
if in a kneeling position, and in an
instant bullet went through it from
Fourier, Then Dupont hung his
cap on the muzzle of his pistol,
and by degrees stuck it out to one side
until at length Fourier blazed away.
Dupont then stepped out from behind
the tree and advanced upon his aston
ished antagonist with drawn weapons
and said General, your life is in my
hands, but | do not care to take it. |
want this matter to end, however,
right here: and in case of a fresh dis
want you to never to lose
sight of the fact that the weapons
must be pistols-your fayoritc weap-
onS-and that | am entitled to the
first two shots-distance, three feet"
This incident took place nineteen
years after the first meeting between
the two officers, during Which
they had fought,each other seventeen
times. No fresh disturbance, it may
be added, in conclusion, ever broke out
between them, which was very natura
when it is remembered that Dupont was
entitled to the FIRST two shots.
In 1858 NJ. de Pene, n Partisan jour
nalist, was challenged by wholeregi-
mcnt. Dumas fought with Gaillardet
near Paris. over controversy con
corning the authorship of "Ia Tour dc
Nesle." Marshal Ney once challenged
every man in a thcater. In his fata
duel with Lieutenant Cecil Stackpole
after firing, he said, shaking his head !
and smiling: "By George! | have
missed him" -1lta Caljformia.
Char .ctCr in the Hand.
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