Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-08-22
A FAMOUS puELISr.
Col. McClnng's Encounters with Gen. Allen
and heBifee.

Col. McClnng's Encounters with Gen. Allen
and henifee.
G. G. Dahlgreen IN Natehez Democrat
In your issue OF last week there are
some errors in the history of Col. Nc
Chung, which, perhaps, would be as
well Tor me to correct, as | am among
the oldest OF his acquaintances, and
perhaps the only survivor present at
his first duel, nearly sixty years ago.
Col. McClung was desperately
wounded in the Mexican war while
leading his regiment, the First Misss-
sippi, against the defenses OF Monterey,
as Jefferson Davis, its colonel, was not
in the charge.
Gen. Alien was not killed in a street
fight with McClung; that was prevent
ed by Gen. III. s. Foote, whom all re-
member MS conspicuous as governor,
senator from Mississippi and as repre-
sentative from Tennessee in the Con-
federate congress. The duel between
Col. McClung and Gen. Allen took
place ON the bank OF the Pearl river,
close to the capitol, in '34, and the Iegis-
lature adjourned to witness the fight.
The combatants were stationed ut 25
or 30 PAGES, armed with several pistols,
each to advance and fire dd tibaam.
McClung stood steadfast; his rightarm
raised at level; second pistol in hls
left hand ready to replace the first.
Allen, on the contrary, rushed to OBJ
tain closer shot; with an excitable
exclamation, but was shot by McClung
near the mouth and throat, and fell
face foremost on the ground. He WIS
carried off the field by his friends, aud
some days after died, while Prentiss
and other friends were in the room
sitting by him, his death being caused
by suffocation from discharge OF blood
in the lungs.
Gen. Allen was much liked about
Natchez, where he at one period was
salesman for Billy Bruno, upon whom
he played the joke displacing one of
the windows of Brune's store, displac-
ing and scattering articles about on the
counters, taking nothing, but leaving
note on Brunes desk stating that they
came to rob, but found the articles
marked so high, that they could not
steal them and make any money on
them. Bruno kept a store OF chiefly
hardware, but to many planters he fur
nished all supplies, MS cash as loans of
money, at the then customary and pro-
liable rate of 10 per cent. Bruno
made large fortune, sold out or turned
over the stock to Vorwick (who did
not follow in the footsteps OF his un-
,le). Brune went back TO Germany,
and became baron, where /
'aw him many years after, very much
by the community.
McClungs duel with Meniiee arose
rom some difficulty which caused
Aenifee 70 beat McClung with cue
n billiard-room, when McClung was
much injured. Calling on him some
lays after, when his wound had been
Iressed, he complained Of the conduct
# Menifee, who struck him unawares,
nd beat him like a dog, for the first
low stunned him so that he was per-
ectly unconscious of the others"
said he quietly, "it is all
light; we will settle it some OF these
ays" AS soon as he was able he armed
Iimself and proceeded 10 Vicksburg,
Intending to attack Menifee wherever
Ie should see him. As il soon became
nown that McClung was in the city,
ght, Prentiss, the only person who
ad any influence over him, went To
&c him, and prevailed on him TO con-
ent to duel, winch McClung agreed
D, on condition of rifles at 10 steps.
apt Jeason, of the bark Jeannette,
len loading at Natchez and Vicksburg
18th cotton for Liverpool, took Nc
lung across the river in his boat
At the first shot Menilee missed his
and McClungs rifle missed
re. At the second shot Menifee again
lissed and the ball from Meetings.
ile, striking the hammer OF Menifee's
file, WAS split in two pieces, both OF
hich struck MeniieeIs forehead, from
hich wound he afterwards died.
In McClung's charge mt Monterey he
as seconded by Capt Douglas Cooper,
brave soldier OF Natchez, who re-
lived the encomiums OF hs command
| could relate many other events
with Col. McClung, but this
rce is too long already.
Speaking of guns, wish to say that
have written an article on the battle
New Orleans, in reply TO the letter
Miss Chotard, but as its length pre-
'nts insertion in the papers here |
N compelled TO postpone its publi-
tion until publish my book ON va
Gus subjects, when | will show and
rove beyond the shadow OF doubt
at cotton bales we're used at the bat
. Of New Orleans"