The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-02-05
A Midnight Duel.

Yesterday, THAT many slcgula[ tninGs
occur as we journey through life," aud
he looked as though memory was strug
ling with some sad feature of his exist
ence. He sighed as he continued: II
remember as though it was yesterday,
the march of Hills corps along the
winding Shenandoah up to the famous
Luray gap. Who could ever forget that
march? The road winding with the
beautiful river, End overhung with q
majestic chain of Blue Ridge mountains,
while across the crystal water the mag.
niicent valley, with its charming cottages
.dotting the bounteous land with while.
like balls of snow robed in flowers. But
the most engaging and lovely objects
paled into insignificance beside the peer.
less women of this blessed country, and
YOU may well believe that when The
camp was struck that the soldiers lost no
lime in making their way 10 thesurround'
ing cottages. Soon the music of the
vinlin was heard, and the shutting feet
kept time to the music, while, for time,
the soldiers face was lit with old time
Joy. At one of those cottages tue belle
of the valley reigred supreme. while
several southern soldiers We'd with each
other in paying homage to. the queen.
Among others were Two young soldiers
.one from Georgia and The other from
Missi>sippi-who we're specially energetic
in their attentions, and so marked had
this become that those present watched
the play with constantly increasing in
teres,, iully believing that both exhibited
case Of love at first sight. This sur
mise on the part of thnse present was
only too true, AZ the tragic event which
followed fully proved. The Georgian
seemed to have the lead on the Mississip
plan, and when the dancers were called
to take their places, he led the belle OF
the valley to place in The set. AT this
point the Mississippian was seen 10 ap
proach the couple and heard to claim the
iady's hand for the dance. An alterca.
tion ensued, but, both were cool, brave
soldiers-two of the best shots in the
army-who did not believe in war of
words. So it was ended by the Georgian
dancing with the lady, and the signi6
cant remark of the Mississippian that II
will see you after this act"
"When the dance was over the Geor.
gian was seen to seek the Mississippian,
snd together they called each friend
from the crowd and departed. When
outside both claimed that an insult hnd
been passed, which could only be wiped
out in the blood of the Other, and that a
duel TO the death should be arranged at
once. A full moon was just appearing
above the tops of the surrounding forest.
and tell you this talk of blood in the
silence of the night was anything but
pleasant. No argument, however, woulo
avail with these men, 80 it MAS arranged
that the duel should take place on top
of the Blue Ridge, near the centre of the
road that passes through the gap; that
the weapons should be pistols 'at fifteen
PAGES, and the fire at or between the
words 'oue, two, three firing to continue
until one or both were dead.
sThe point was reached, the ground
measured off, and, the men took their
positions without tremor. The moon
shed it's pale light down ON scene never
10 O6 lOTSOtteu. ~ MohSbIoi wv "hN
the silence was broken by the signal
"One, two, three" At the word lone"
the report of two pistols rang out ON the
midnight air, but the principals main.
tained their respective positions. The
Georgian's left arm vas seen to drop
closer to the side, but the Mi'sissippian
was immovable, and still held his pistol
To the front. Again, a pistol ehot was
heard, coming from the Georgian. and
the Missi<sippian still held bis position.
but he did not FIRE. The Georgian pro
rested that he had not come there TO MUIR
der him, but no answer was returned:
The Mis>issippian's second approached
his principal and found, him dead, shot
through the eye on the first discharge of
the weapons. Death it seems had been
instantaneous, SO much so as not even to
disturb his equilibrium. / may forget
some things. but the midnight duel on
the top of spur of the Blue Ridge, with
its. attendant circum. tances, is not one
of them."- athens, Ca, Banner.