Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-18
A DUELLfNG QUESTION.
e u Fair to seize Your Opponents s"0'a
with the Lers Hand


The London 81. James Gazette in
recent issue says; The trial Of NJ. De-
keirel, who killed French officer,
Lieutenant Chapuis, in duel at Dun
kirk, has excited great interest IN
France. and all the greatest authorities
in duelling gave evidence, either per-
sonally or by letter. The duel arose
out Of an alleged insult offered by Lieu
tenant Chapuis during the carnival
to a masked lady, who was sup
ping with NJ. Dekeirel, an inhabitant
of the town. Chapuis was killed,
and although duelling in itself is nomi-
nally illegal, the real issue before the
Jury was whether the duel was fair.
Chapuis's partisans alleged that Dekei-
rel either pushed aside or held with his
left hand his adversary's sword while
he thrust him through the body with the
right. Many ancient authorities admit
the use Of the left hand. The weight
of opinion by modern duellists, includ-
ing NJ. de Cassagnac and NJ. Anatole de
la Forge, is on the other side, but an
other question was whether Dekeirel
did not use his left hand instinctively
and without intention. The jury ac-
quilted him, and the court showed its
sense of the conduct Of Lieutenant
Chapuis by awarding only one franc
damages TO his family.
This trial shows that the masters IN
the art of fence differ as to the right Of
the left hand being used to ward off a
thrust. In Italy this mode of defence
is accepted, and at one time it was ac-
cepted in England. In the year 1913
Lord Bruce and Sir Edward Sackville
fought desperate duel, which is de-
scribed in Steele's papers. What the
two gentlemen quarrelled about is
not stated but they agreed to meet in
the vicinity Of Antwerp and as Lord
Bruce declared that "a little of Sir
Edwards blood would not serve his
turn" the seconds withdrew. The
principals rode to the ground attended
only by their surgeons, who were IN
armed.
In his relation Of this affair Sir Ed
ward says that he was mad with anger
that Lord Bruce should thirst after
his life, seeing he had come so
far to allow him to regain his lost repu-
tatiOn. He adds:
~ badc him alight, which with all
willingness he quickly granted, and
there, in a meadow ankle deep in water,
bidding farewell to our doublets, in our
shirts. began to charge each other
having afore commanded our surgeons
to withdraw themselves pretty dis
tance, and, as they respected our fayors
or their own safeties, not to stir,
but suffer us to execute our plea
sure. We being fully resolved God for
give us) to dispatch each other by
what means we could, | made tErus
at my enemy, but was short, and, ii
drawing back my arm, received q
great wound thereon. In revenge
pressed into him, though then missed
him also, then receiving a wound in my
right pap, which passed level through
my body and almost to my back"
At this point the pair seem to have
seized each others sword. Sir Edward
continues
"ln struggling my hand, having bu
an ordinary glove on. lost one of it
servants. Butat last, breath
less, yet keeping our holds, there passe'
on both sides propositions of quittinI
each others sword. Who should qui
first was the question, which en- neithe
part either would perform and re
striving again. with kick and a wrenc
together, freed my lOng-captiyate
weapon, which incentinently levying a
his throat, being still master of his,
demanded if he would ask his life o
yield his sword, both which. though il
that imminent danger, he bravely de
MED to do. Myself being wounded an
feeling loss of blood, having three con
duits running on me, began to make m
faint, and he cOurageously persistin
not to accord to either of my PROPOSE
tions, remembrance ofhis former blood
desire, and feeling Of my present estate
struck at his heart; but with hi
avoiding, missed my aim, yet passe
through the body, and, drawing throug
my sword, repassed it through agai
through another place, when he cried
oh, | am slain.
Sir Edward then got Lord Bruc
down on his back, and could not find
in his heart to do him further violence
though he still refused to demand hi
life. Asked if he desired the aid {
his surgeon, Lord Bruce accepted. 81
Edward also put himself in the hand
of his surgeon. being very faint wit
loss of blood. Suddenly" he add:
"my lords surgeon came full q
me with my lords sword; an
had not mine with my swor
interposed, | had been slain b
those base hands, although my Lor
Bruce, weltering in his blood, and pa;
all expectation Of life, cOnformable
all his carriage, which was undOubtet
ly noble, cried out Rascal Hold th
hand!'" 1t is clear that both Sir +,
ward Sackyille and Lord Bruce col
sidered it fair not only to ward Off
thrust, but even to hold the sword