The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-27
A MIDNIGHT DUEL.
a Romantic Story Of the Late War Vouched
For by an Old Soldier.

81 ESO1080Cf STORY Oh tA0 Late war tOuCneO
For by an Old Soldier.
Athens lGa.) Banner.
''There is no doubt, said an old soldier to
reporter that many singular things occur as we
journey through lfe;" and be looked though
memory was struggling with some sad feature of
his existence. He sighed as he continued: II
remember as Thought were yesterday the march
of Hills corps along the winding Shenandoah up
to the famous Luray Gap Who could ever for
get that marci2 The road winding with the
beautiful river and overriding with the majestic
chain of Blue Ridge noun tains. while across the
crystal water the magnificent valley, with its
charming cottages dottiEg the beauteous land
with white like balls of snow robed in flowers.
But the most engaging and lovely objects paed
into insignificance beside the peerless women of
this blessed country, and you may we'll believe
that when the camp Was pitched the soldiers lost
no time in making their way to the surrounding
cottages. Soon the music of the violin was heard
and the shutting 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 valley reigned supreme, while severa;
Southern soldiers We'd with each othefin paying
homage to the queen Among Others were two
young soldiers-one from Georgia and the other
from Missssppi-who were specially energetic in
their attentions, and so marked had this become
that those present watched the play with con-
stantly increasing interest, fully believing that
both exhibited q case of love at first sight This
Surmise 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 Mississppian, 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 Mississppian was seen to approach the
couple and heard to claim the ladys hand for the
dance An alteration ensued, but both were
COOL brave seldiers--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 significant remark of the Mis-
sissippian that will see You after this set
when the dance was over the Georgian vas
seen to seek the Mssissippian and together they
each called friend from the crowd and departed.
When outside both claimed that an insult had
been passed. which could only be wiped out in
the blood of the other, and that a duel to the
death shonid be arranged at once. A full moon
was just appearing above the tops of the SUR
rounding forest and tell you this talk of blood
in the silencApf the night was anything but
pleasant. MoNrgument, however, would avail
with these men, so it was arranged that the duel
should take place on top of the Blue Ridge, near
the centre of the read that passes through the
gap; that the weapons should be pistols at fifteen
PAGES, and to fire at or between the words zone,
two three firing to continue until one OF both
were dead.
"The point was reached, the ground measured
off and the men tookstheir positions without a
tremor The moon shed its pale light down on
ascene never to be forgotten. A moment or two and
the silence was broken by the signal One two.
three AT the word "one' the report of two
pistols rang out On the midnight air, but the
principals maintained their respective positions.
The Georgians left arm was seen to drop closer
to the side but the Mississippian was immova-
BILE and still held his pistol to the front. Again a
pistol shot was hoard coming from the Georgian
and tho Aississipp;an still held his position bat
he did not fire. The Georgian protested that he
did net come there TO murder him. but no
answer was rctarned. The Mississppian'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. 30 mach ne. even to disturb
his equilibrium. may forget some things. but
the midnight duel on the top of a spur Of the
Blue Ridge with ita attendant circumstances is
not one OF them"