The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-06-05
A MIDNIGHT DUEL.
A Romantic Story of the Late War
Vouchc ed For by an Old Soldier.

"There is no doubt" said an old SOL
der to a reporter or the Athens (Ga.)
Banner, ''ihat many singular things
occur as we journey through life;" and
he looked as though memory was strug-
Cling with some sad feature of his eX-
istence. He sighed as he continued:
81 remember as though it was yester-
day 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 and overhung with
the majestic chain of Blue Ridge noun
tains, while across the crystal river the
magnificent valley, with its charming
cottages dotting the beauteous land
with white-lke balls of snow robed in
flowers. But the most engaging and
lovely objects paled into insignificance
beside rhe peerless women of this
blessed country, and you may well be-
lieve that when the camp was struck
the soldiers lost no time in making
their way to the surrounding cottages.
Soon the music of the violin was heard
and the shuffling feet kept time to the
music, while, for a time, the soldiers
face was lit with old-time joy. At one
of these cottages the belle of the val
ley reigned supreme, while several
southern soldiers wed with each other
in paying homage to the queen. Among
them were two young soldiers-One
from Georgia and one from Mississippi |
who were especially energetic in their |
attentions, and so marked had this be-
come that those present watched the |
play with constantly increasing inter-
est, fully believing that both exhibited
a case of love at first sight. This sur
mise on the part of those present was
only too true, as the tragic events
which followed fully proved The
Georgian seemed to have the lead on
the Mississippian 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
heard to claim the lady's hand for the
dance. An alteration ensued, but both
were cool, brave soldiers-two of the
best shots in the army-who did not be-
ieve in war of words. So it was
ended by the Georgian dancing with
the lady and the significant remark of
the Mississippian that 4 will see you +
after this set
"When the dance was over the Geor- s
yian was seen to seek the Mississippian '
and together they each called friend '
rom the crowd and departed. When q
outside both claimed that an insult had 0
,een passed, which could only be wiped s
'ut in the blood of the other, and that .
duel to the death should be arranged o
t once. A full moon was just appear a
1g above the tops of the surrounding s.
)rest, and | tell you this talk of blood h
! the silence of the night was anything f,
ut pleasant. No argument, however, "
Tould avail with these men, so it was II
that the duel should take place .,
n the top of the Blue Ridge, near the r,
enter of the road that passes through 81
he gap; that the weapons should be o.
istols at fifteen PAGES, and to fire at or "
etween the words 'one, two, three CO
ring to continue until one or both W
ere dead. q,
''The point was reached, the ground Of
ensured off, and the men took their 9.
)sitions without tremor. The moon tb
led its pale light down on a scene al
ever to be forgotten. A moment or II
70 and the silence was broken by the W
gnal, One, two, three At the word kt
me- the report of two pistols rang out di
| the midnight air, but the principals A,
aintained their respective positions. nc
he Georgian's left arm was seen to nc
'op closer to his side, but the Missis- ar
ppan was immovable and still held hi
s pistol to the front. Again pistol W,
lot was heard coming from the Geor- fla
an and the Mississippian still held his sa
'sition, but he did not fire. The Geor- mi
an protested that he did not come re
ere to murder him, but no answer co
as returned. The Mississippian's sec he
d approached his principal and found Or
N dead, shot through the eye on the sts
st discharge of the weapons. Death, DO
seems, had been instantaneous, so an
lch as not even to disturb his equilib- be
I'M. l may forget some things, but fol
, midnight duel on the top of a spur an
the Blue Ridge with its attendant cir wa
instances is not one of them" he