Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-24
A DUELLING QUESTION.

n
The London 81. James Gazette in re-
cent issue says: The trial of NJ. Dekeirel,
who killed French officer, Lieutenant
Chapuis, ia duel at Dunkirk, has excited
great interest in France, and all the great
est authorities in duelling gave evidence,
either personally or by letter. The duel
arose out of an alleged insult offered by
Lieutenant Chapuis during the carnival to
a masked lady, who was supping with M.
Dekeirel, an inhabitant of the town. Cha
puis was killed, and although duelling in
itself is nominally 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
duelists, including NJ. de Cassagnac and NJ.
Anatole de 10 Forge, is on the other side,
bnt another question was whether Dekeirel
did not use his left hand instinctively and
without intention. The jury acquitted him,
and the court showed its sense of the con-
OuCC OF LlouISudUG SuhPuio W
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 thrust. In
Italy this mode of defence is accepted, and
at one time it was accepted in England. In
the year 1913 Lord Bruce and Sir Edward
Sackville fought a desperate duel, which is
described in Steel's papers. What the two
gentlemen quarrelled about is not stated !;
but thew 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 unarmed.'
In his relation of this affair Sir Edward
saws 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 reputation. He adds
s'I bade him alight, which with all will
inpness he quickly granted, and there, in
meadow ankle deep in water, bidding fare
we'll to our doublets, in our shirts, began to
charge each other; having afore command
ed our surgeons to withdraw themselves
pretty distance and, as they respected our
fayors or their own safeties, MOI to
stir, but suffer US to execute our plea
sure. We being fully resolved (God forgive
us) to dispatch each other by what means
we could, made thrust at my enemy, but
was short, and, in drawing back my arm,
received great wound thereon. In revenge
I pressed into him, though l then missed
him also, then receiving wound III my
right pap, which passed level through my
body and almost to my back"
At this point the pair seem to have seized
4 -.
"In struggling my hand, having but an
ordinary glove on, lost one OF Its servants.
x But at last, breathless, yet keeping
our holds, there passed on both sides propo-
sitions of quitting each others sword. Who
should quit first was the question, which on
neither part either would perform; and re-
striving again, with kick and wrench
together, freed my long. g.captivated Wea-
non. which incontinently levying at his
throat, being still master of his, demanded
if he would ask his life or yield his sword,
both which, though in that imminent dan
ger, he brayely denied to do. Myself being
wounded and feeling loss of BLOOD having
three conduits running on me, began to make
me faint, and he courageously perslst'ng
not to accord to 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
aim, yet passed through the body, and,
drawing through my sword, repassed, 1t
through again through another place, when
he cried, 1Oh am slain.'"
Sir Edward then got Lord Bruce down on
his back, and could not find it in his heart
to do him further violence, though he still
refused to demand his life Asked if he de-
sired the aid of his surgeon, Lord Bruce ac-
cepted. Sir Edward also put himself in the
hands of his surgeon, being very faint with with
loss of blood. Suddenly" he adds, my
lords surgeon came full at me with my
lords sword; and had not mine with my
sword interposed, had been slain by those
base hands, although my Lord Bruce, vel
tering in his blood, and past oil expectation
of life, comfortable to all his carriage,
which was undoubtedly noble, cried out
Rascal Hold thy hand y" 1t is clear that
both Sir Edward Sackville and Lord Bruce
considered it fair not only to ward OIL q
thrust, but even to hold the sword Of an ad'
yersary.