The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-28
A DUEL WITHOUT CAUSE.
1t Was Fought Between Albert Sid
ney Johnston and General
Felix Huston.
A Challenge Sent After the Two
Had Dined Pleasantly
Together.
The Texan Was InSulted At Being Super.
soded In the Command Of the
Lone Star Army.

One of the bravest men that ever lived
was Felix Huston. of Texas, who in 1886,
commanded the army in the field OF the
Lon Star state, writes Ben @. Truman. in
the New York Times. Probably his nearest
counterpart since was Gen. Joe Hooker.
Huston was MS oratorioally magnetic and
impassioned as Patrick Henry; as intrepid
as Custer, Sheridan, or Fitzpatrick, and AZ
foad of wine and women as Luther. And,
while he was truly a tactician, discipline
with this rollicking Hotspur was a lost or
splnown art.
About this time Albert Sidney Johnston
was adjutant general of the army of the
Republic of Texas, during the administra-
tion of President Sam Houston. This was
subsequent to the battle of San J~acinto,
and the Texans we're encamped on that ter
rltory lying between Galveston island and
lndianola, Thomas j. Morgan and George
w. Morgan, of Ohio, who were colonies Of
Ohio regiments during The Mexican war,
md who we're general officers during the re-
bellion on the federal side, were officers in
the army Of the Lone Star state in 1886.
One day in November, 1886, Albert Sid
ney Johnston was directed to assume COM
10 III ~ u tut ~ ul6 O"Ll
surprise. and muoh against his wish. In
deed, he called at once upon President
Houston and stated he would greatly pre-
fer to remain undisturbed, and incidentally
declared that the heroic army of the Texas
republic would be the loser thereby. But
Houston and congress had decided to place
johnston in command and to accept the
resignation of the gallant Huston if neces-
6ary. Huston at once turned over his
command to Johnston, and upon meeting
his successor, raised his cap and extended
his hand pleasantly. and otherwise ex-
hibited evidences of real or seeming friend
ship, all Of which was cordially and courte-
onsly accepted.
Upon the following evening Huston in
vited Johnston md his staff to supper,
which was as fine as could be given; and
wines, cigars, mirth and melody made the
time pass merrily until the eo-cnlled witch
ing. honr, when Johnston and his staff took
their leave. In exactly twenty minutes
afterward, however, Major lizard, OF
Huston's staff, called at Jobnston's head
quarters and presented the following note:
Gen. Huston has the honor to present
his compliments to Gen. Johnston. and
begs to assure him that there ID no man in
the republic of Texas under whom he would
be more proud to serve; but that the presi-
dent and congress had put upon him an
Insult, and as he could not demand that
satisfaction of tho president and congress
as he would wish, he had the honor to re-
quest that Gen. Johnston, as their repre-
sentative, would state when it would be
convenient for him to meet Gen. Huston on
the field of honor, and that Major lizard
was authorized to return with a 'eply."
In proportion to its population no section
of country on earth contained SO many
AhiP- III h1t1nnQ Gallant DnT HhjunJrnr1u
men as the lepublio of Texas at that time.
And. of course, dueling, or, rather. the code
of the duello, was a high and honored GUS
tom, if not, indeed, the law of that land.
II many Of the best men Of the famous
new republic had fallen victims to it's stern
Jequirements. Therefore, Johnston had
only one thing to do-accept Huston's
mean, unchivalrous, uncalled-for chal-
lenge. True, he had given his predecessor
no earthly ~offense. On the contrary. he
had accepted his invitation to join him at
a we'll served lepast. had made merry with
his host until midnight, and each had
wished the other we'll at arting. Still, the
requirements of polished ban ban ism, or the
fear of being posted" compelled a brave,
good man to weaken for the first and only
time, and he replica as follows:
Gen. Johnston reciprocates the santi-
ments so kindly expressed by Con. Huston,
and begs to Inform him. though Col.
Moorehouse, that it will AFFORD the general
commanding pleasure to meet Gen. Huston
on the west bank of La Baca on the follow
Ing morning, at a point to be determined
by their respective friends"
This is an outrage" said Col. Moore
house to Major lizard.
II know it," responded the latter.
Gen. Johnston never pulled a hair trigger
in his life, while Gen. Huston can put n
pistol ball into a dollar thrown into the
an ssit zen johnston is inviting murdsr!"
Yes, sir; / mean what l say. But he is q
splendid shot with a rifle, and l shall advise
him to use that weapon"
The rifle is not allowed by the code,
Col. M~oorhouse.''
II believe you are right responded the
colonel, but it is unfortunate that the
only brace OF dueling bistols in camp is
owned by Gen. Huston."
This was true, and it was the opinion of
all that Johnston would not select rifles as
would rather surrender his life than take
the very advantage that his rival. in a state
great modification, might willingly use
over him. The only pocket case of instru-
lnents in camp was owned by Assistant
Coates. and this case was borrowed
ut about five In the morning by Medical
Ezra Reed on the pretext that a
had mashed q finger.
But "BanR!' "Bang!!' was heard an hour
later. and the whole camp made a break for
Inc river, BhoutlnR:
"Johnston and Huston are fightinR!'
Bnd SO they were, on the west side of the
river.
At the first FIRE the ball from Johnston's
out a twig from a tree, which fell
at Huston's feet, while the ball from Hus-
toms pistol went through the lapel of his
opponents coat. Huston picked up the
twig and said:
THAT WAS a capital shot, General"
$50 was this %serenely responded john
ston, running his thumb through the hole
in his coat, much better than mine, l APP
prehend."
'.You shall have another chance, tn en-,
General"
'All right, my friend, if it is strictly
agreeable to You. Gentlemen, load again.
The principals again fred, Huston's mis- :
going no one knew where, and john
ston's hitting n few feet in front of his an /
and scattering some dirt on the j
,lothes of the latter. At the third shot I
missed, and the flint of Huston's
pistol failed to strike fire in consequence of X
he weakness of tho spring, at which Hus-
.on sat down at tho root of a tree and il
,racsd the spring with n wedge. They a
hen fred again, and Johnston was shot b
through the hip and fell re- if dead. But he q
It once raised himself on his elbow and II
aid: v
Gentlemen, l had no grievance against G
General Huston whatever, and / call upon s.
all to bear witness that this meeting n
IA. been conducted according to the laws r
II honor" p