The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-06
A REMARKABLE AFFAIR.
Account ofa Duel Between Two once
which Lasted Nineteen Years.


Account of Duel Between Two Onieers
which Lasted Nineteen Years.
One of the most remarkable duels
Tor series of duels) 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 a young man named
Blum, at Strasburg, under distressing
circumstances; and General Moreau,
the, commandment, who had issued
cards for q solree, which was to take
place upon the evening of the day
of Blum's funeral, had limited to his
chief of staff (Dupont) just before the
commencement of the arrival Of
guests, that the presence of Fourier
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 Fourier.
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 dc
combat. In the mean time they cor
responded with each other, met and
fought many times during ten OF
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
a few moments they were at it again
sword in hand, and the fight was TEN.
porarily ended by Dupont running his
steel through his antagonists neck and
pinning Fournier against the wall
While in this situation Fourier chal-
lepged 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 Fourier, who was q
distinguished shot. "Goodw replied
the latter. "Hear me" added Dupont
4 am about to engage in matrilnony
and have concluded that this matter
of ours must first be permanently set.
tied; so l 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-
tons che hundred PAGES, then turn and
fire at will" The proposition wa;
accepted by Fourier, and the COM
batants met the following morning
went to the woods together. separated
paced off one hundred steps, turned
and commenced to advance hostilely
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, Il:
if in kneeling position, and in ar
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 behint
the tree and advanced upon his aston
isbed antagonist with drawn weapon!
and said: General, your life is in my
hands, but l do not care to take it.
want this matter to end, however
right here; and in case of fresh dis
turbance, l wont you to never to los,
sight of the fact that the weapon!
must be ristols-your favorite weap
ons-and that / am entitled to tn,
first two shots-distance three feet.
This incident took place nineteeI
years after the first meeting between
the two officers, during whicl
they had fought each other seventeen
times. No fresh disturbance, it ma.
be added, in conclusion, ever broke gu
between them, which was very natura
when it is remembered that Dupont wa
entitled to the first two shots.
In 1858 M. de Pene, a Partisan jour
nalist, was challenged by whole regi
ment. Dumas fought with Gaillarde
near Paris, over controversy con
corning the authorship of %.a Tour d
Nesle." Marshal Ney once challenges
every man in a theater. In his fata
duel with Lieutenant Cecil Stackpolt
after firing, he said, shaking his hea'
and smiling: "By George! l hav'
missed him. "-Alta California.
Char cter In the Hand.