St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-05-03

Itwas she-my wise's own mother!
Jury.
A LETTER On DUELING
Written by General William Henry
Harrison Many Years Ago.
Light In Which the Ninth I'resldent q the
United States Viewed = Custom u
High Favor In the Early
American Army.
In letter written to friend many
years ago, General William Henry Har.
rlsOn, the ninth President of the Uaited
States, gave, as follows, his opinion re-
garding dueling:
Il believe that there were mere daels
In the Northwestern army between the
years 1891 and-f705, inclusive, than ever
took place in the sane length 4of. time,
and among so small body Of men as
constituted the commissioned officers Of
the army, either in America or any 9th.
er country, at least in modern times.
became an officer in the aforementioned
year, at SO early an age that it is not
wonderful that l implicitly adopted the
opinions Of the older officers, most Of
whom were veterans of the revolution,
upon this as we'll as upon other subjects
connected with my conduct and duty in
the profession had chosen. I believed,
therefore, in common with the larger
portion of the. Officers, that. no brave
man would decline a challenge, nor re.
frain from giving one, whenever he con.
sidered that his rights or feelings had
been trespassed upon. must confess,
too. that was not altogether free from
the opinion that even honor might be
acquired by . awell-faught duel.
Fortunately, however, before was
engaged in duel. either as principal
or second, which terminated fatally to
any one, l became convinced that all my
opinions on the subject were founded in
error, and none of them more SO than
that which depicted the situation Of thc
successful duelist as either honorable o.
desirable. A short experience in the
army convinced me also that fighting a
duel was not an .undonbted test of true
courage. knov instances of Auels, and
desperate duels, being fought by nien
who would not have been selected, by
officers who knew them, to lead fOrlorn
hope. On the contrary, possessed the
most positive testimony to prove that
some of the bravest men would not be
engaged in an affair of the kind under
any circumstances
Il present you with "reminiscences of
my early military life. l introduce it
not only tosustain my position, but from
the respect entertain for the memory
of gallant brother officer, long since
called to receive in another world his
reward for having preferred the praise
of God to the praise of men,
I'm the summer of the year 17p3.
Lieutenant Drake, of the infantry of
the second sub-legion. received marked
insult from another officer. As he man.
ifested no disposition to call him to an
account, some of those who wished him
well, amongst whom was one, spoke to
him on the subject, expressing our fears |
that his reputation as an officer would
greatly suffer if he permitted such an
insult to pass unnoticed. The answer |
that he gave me was that he cared not |
what opinions the officers might form of |
him, he was determined to pursue his |
own course. That course was so novel |
in the army that :. lost him, as sup
posed it would, the respect Of nearly all |
the officers. The ensuing summer, how |
ever, gave Mr. Drake an opportunity of
most triamphantly, >hiscon-
duct and principles.
He had been stationed in small |
fortress, which had been erected by |
General Wayne, and had been rendered |
by the defeat Of General St |
Clair's army. three days before. The |
garrison consisted of a single rife COM
pany and thirty infantry, and Of the lat
ter Drake was the Immediate COM
mander. In the beginning Of July, |
1894, detachment of the. army, con-
sisting of several hundred men, under
the command of Major M'Mahon, were
attacked early in the morning by up
wards of three thousand Indians. The
troops made a gallant resistance, but
being turned on both flanks and in dan
ger of being surrounded, they retreated
TO the open ground around the tort
Prom this, too, they were soon dis
lodged by the overpowering force of the
enemy. In the retreat many wounded
men we're in danger of being left, which
fact being observed from the fort, the
Captain Gibson, directed
his own Lieutenant to take the infantry i
(Drake's particular command) and por-
tion of the riflemen. and sally out 70
their relief. To this Drake objected, /
and claimed the right to command his
own men, and. as a senior to the other
Lieutenant his right also to the whole
oh, very we'll. sir. said tho
Captain; If such is your wish, take it,
1t is my wish, sir, to do my duty, and
will endeavor to do it now, and at all
times, was the modest reply Of Drake.
He accordingly sailed out: skillfully
interposeA his detachment between the
troops and the enemy. opened
upon them a hot fire, arrested their ad-
vance. and gave an opportunity to the
70 effect their escape, and to |
the broken and retreating companies to
reform. and again to face the enemy.
Throughout the whole affair. brakes
activity. skill, and extraordinary self
possession, were conspicuous. The ene-
my, of Durse. observed it as we'll as his |
friends. The numerous shots directed |
at him. however, like the arrows Of |
Teucer aimed at the heart of Hector,
were turned aside by Providential inter |
ference. until he had accomplished all |
that he had been sent to perform. He
then received ball through his body,