Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-04-26
THE CODE OF HONOR.
An Exciting Incident Of the War with
Mexico.
BY Ex-GOv. RoDMAN M. PRICE.

BY EX-GOV. RODMAN M. PRICE.
It was during the war with Mexico,
it 1916, when Gen. Taylor's army was
on the march to Monterey, that most
remarkable and unprecedented duel
took place on the banks of the river
San Juan. The celebrated scouting
company of Capt. Ben McCulloch had
been detached from Col. Jack Hays
regiment of Texas Rangers, by Gen.
Taylor, for special service.
This company was composed princi-
pally of gallant and fearless young men,
the flower of Texas, but there were sew
eral from the Southern States, among
whom was Herman S. Thomas, of Balti-
more, who had been transferred from
the Washington and Baltimore Battal
ion (then commanded by the brave Col.
VIM. II. Watson), and Sam G. Reid, a
young lawyer from New Orleans, who
had been Adjutant of a Louisiana regi-
ment which had been disbanded as
three months men.
The daring and hazardous scouts
through the wild portions of' Mexico to
various towns in the interior, to obtain
information of the enemy, as well as of
the roads and the country; the occa-
sional skirmishes with detachments of
the Mexican cavalry; and the common
risk of picket-guard duty, had woven
ties of the strongest friendship among
McCulloch's men.
Young Thomas was not over twenty
five, of medium stature and dark COM
plexion. He was of daring and reck-
less nature. which he had exhibited on
more than one occasion by risking his
life unnecessarily. Indeed, he seemed
to court death. He was much detected
at times, and wore sad and melancholy
expression, which, it was whispered, had
affair. Whether this was true or not,
he was very retiring and reticent, and
did not enter into the fun and Jokes of
the boys, although he and Reid seemed
much attached to each other.
On the morning of the 18th of Sep
TENDER the whole army had arrived at
the beautiful little town of Marin, stu
ated on a lovely plateau, and surrounded
on every side by wild mountain scenery
of uDsurpassing grandeur, while far in
the distant haze of the blue sky rose
the lofty peaks of the Sierra Madre
The main portion of the army had en-
camped about two miles west of the
town, near tine head-waters of the San
Juan River, and about ten leagues from
Monterey.
That night Thomas and Reid were on
picket duty with detail of the Rang
ers, when q heated discussion ensued
as to the advance position to be taken
by the guard. Some sharp retorts were
made between the two friends, but
nothing was thought of the matter at
the time, although the laugh of the boys
seemed very much to irritate Thomas,
who was heard to remark: There's a
way to settle such matters without fur
ther words" 1t appears that on pre-
vious occasion there had occurred
some unpleasautness between the
two, Reid having censured Thomas for
washing his horse close to spring, and
perhaps, the remembrance of it added
to the bitterness of his sensitive feel
Sngs.
Thenext morning, the 10th, to the sur
prise of Reid, he received a peremp-
tory challenge, excluding any demand
for an explanation or apology, which
the bearer stated would not be re-
ceived. Under these circumstances,
the challenge was at once accepted, and
the weapons chosen were double-bar-
relied shot-guns, loaded with buck and
ball, ct twenty PAGES; the time and
place to be left with the seconds. An
Injunction of secrecy was agreed upon
to prevent any interference or arrest,
and for this purpose the principals were
not to involve any of the members of
the company to act as seconds.
Reid was perhaps year or two older
than Thomas, and was of light COM
plexion, tall and we'll formed. He had
been brought up in the school of
Southern chivalry, and was as magnan-
imous as he was courageous. He had
taught his first duel at New Orleans
with noted duelist and bravo, whom
he wounded, the weapons being small
swords. Best les, he naturally inner
tied the bravery of his father, who
commanded the brig-Of-war, General
Armstrong" at the memorable battle of
Faval. in 1914 Thus forced into a
combat from which there was no re-
ceding, and which could not be de-
clined but with dishonor, young Reid
had been compelled to accept the chal
lenge, however much he felt that there
really was no cause for demanding such
q sacrifice. He had determined, there
tore, TO bring Thomas toIa sense of rea-
son by compelling him to accept an ex-
PLANTATION, or else to make the duel
fatal to one or both the parties.
Capt. Randolph Ridgely, of Balt-
more, then commanding a battery OF
the United States Third Artillery, was
one Of the noblest, coolest and bravest
of men. He was known as the Cheva-
lier Bayard of the army, and was
fairly worshiped by both men and
officers. His opinion and decision IN
affairs of honor. no one dared dispute
or question. Reid accordingly rode
over to Ridgely's quarters, and enter
ing his tent, was pleasantly received,
and invited to camp-stooi. Ridgely