Savannah morning news., 1885-06-30
A GREAT DUIahOAsE IN FRANCE.
Is 1t Fair 60 Seize Your Opponents
Sword with the Len Hand?
rFrom tAs 81, Jdmes' Gdsette.

tTN fgtpr tfto A2tf y ttHteS Hd%ctto.
The trial of M. DeReirel, who killed a
French officer, Lieut.. Chapuis, in duel
at Dunkirk, has excited great interest in
France, and all the greatest authorities in
dueling gave evidence, either personally
or by letter. The duel arose out of an al
legged insult offered by Lieut.. Chapuis
during the carnival to a masked lady,
who was supping with M. Dekeirel, an
inhabItant of the town. Chapuis was
killed, and, although dueling in itself is
nominally illegal, the real issue before
thes jury was whether this duel was fair.
Chapuis' partisans alleged that Dekeirel
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 duelists, including NJ.
de Cassagnac and NJ AnatOle de la
Forge, is on the other side, but another
question was whether Dekeirel did not
use his left hand instinctiyelY and with
out intention. The jury acquitted, and
the court showed its sense Of the conduct
Of Lieut.. 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 0f defense is accepted,
and at one time il vas accepted IN Eng
land. In the year 1913 Lord Bruce and
Sir Edward SackRille fought a desperate
duel, which is described IN Steee's pa
pers. What the two gentlemen quar-
relied about is not stated, but they agreed
to meet in the vicinity OF Autwerp; and,
as Lord Bruce declared that ga little OF
Sir Edwards blood would not serve his
turn" the seconds withdrew. The prin-
cipals rode to the ground attended only by
their surgeons, who were unarmed.
In his relation of this affair Sir Edward
SAYS that he was mad with anger that
Lord Bruce should thirst after mis- life,
seeing he had come so far to allow him to
regain his lost reputation. He adds:
81 bade him alight, which with all
Willingness he quickly granted, and there,
in meadow ankle deep in water, bidding
farewell to our dOublets, in our shirts, be-
gan to charge each other; having afore
commanded our surgeons to withdraw
themselves pretty distance, and, as they
respected our fayOrs or their own safeties,
not to stir, but suffer us TO execute our
pleasure. We being fully resolved God
forgive us) TO dispatch each other by
what means we could, made a thrust at
nv enemy, but was short, and, in draw
ing back my arm, | received great
wound thereon; in revenge pressed INTO
him, though / then missed him also, then
receiving 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 but an
ordinary glove on, lost one OF its servants.
But at last, breathless, but
keeping our holds, there passed ON both
sides propositions Of quitting each others
sword. Who should quit first was the
question, which on neither part either
would perform; and restriving again,
with kick and wrench together, freed
my long captivated weapon, which incon-
tinently leyying at his threat, being still
master of his, demanded II be would ask
his lite or yield his sword, both which,
though In that imminent danger, he
bravely denied TO do. Myself being
wounded and feeling loss OF blood, having
three conduits running on me, began 20
make me faint, and he courageously
persisting not 10 accord 10 either OF
my propositions, remembrance OF his
former bloody desire, and feeling OF my
present estate, struck at his heart, but
with his avoiding missed my ann yet
passed through the body, and, drawing
through my sword, repassed u through
again through another place, when he
cried, oh am slain.'N
Sir Edward then got Lord Bruce down
on his back, and could not find II IN his
heart 10 do him further violence, though
he still refused TO demand his life. Asked
II ne desired the aid OF his surgeon, Lord
Bruce accepted. Sir Edward also put
himself in the hands Of his surgeon, being
very faint with loss Of blood. "suddenlyp
he adds, "my lords surgeon came iuil at
me with my lords sword, and had not
mine with my sword interp0sed ] had
been slain by those base hands, although
able TO all his carriage. which was. un-
doubleday noble, cried cut. Rascal hold
thy handf" It ~ clear that both Sir
Edward sackville and Lord Bruce con-
sidered il fair not only 10 ward on
fnrusi huf orna ~ hold cha sword of al