Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-26
TWO GRAVE COWARDS.'
THE DUEL BETWEEN GEN. JOHN
SToN AND GEN. HUSTON.
Insulted by Being Superseded, the Latter
Entertained the Former at Supper and
Twenty Minutes Later Sent Him
Challenge.
Major Truman in New York Times.

was Felix Huston OF Texas, who in 1886
commanded the army in the field of the
Lone Star state. Probably his nearest
counterpart since was General Joe
Hooker. Huston was as oratorically
magnetic and impassioned as Patrick
Henry, E. D. Baker, or Thomas Starr
King as intrepid as Custer, Sheridan,
or Fitzpatrick, and as fond of wine and
women as Luther, Magruder or Van
Dorm. And while he was truly a tao
tician, discipline with this rollicking
Hotspur was lost or an unknown art.
About this time Albert Sydney John
ston was acknowledgement OF the Army
of the Republic of Texas, during the
administration of Sam Houston. This
was subsequent to the battle OF San Ja-
cinto, and the Texans were encamped
on that territory lying between Gal
weston island and Indianola. Thomas
j. Morgan and George w. Morgan, OF
Ohio, who were colonels in Ohio regi-
ments during the Mexican war, and
who were general officers during the
rebellion upon the federal side, were
officers in the army of the Lone Star
state in 1886. The latter is now livin g
at Mount Vernon, Ohio.
One day in November, 1886, Albert
Sydney Johnston was directed to assume
command of the Texan army, much to
his own surprise and much against his
wish. Indeed, he called at once upon
President Houston, and stated that he
would greatly prefer to remain undis-
turbed, and incidentally declared that
the heroic army of the Texas republic
would be the loser thereby. But Hous-
ton and congress had decided to place
Johnston in command, and to accept
the resignation of the gallant Huston, if
necessary. Huston at once turned over
his command to Johnston and, upon
meeting his successor, raised his cap and
extended his hand pleasantly, and 9TH
erwise exhibited evidence of real or
seeming friendship. all of which was cor
daily and courteously accepted.
Upon the following evening, Huston
invited Johnston and 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 so-called
witching hour, when Johnston and his
staff took their leave. In exactly twenty
minutes afterward, however, Major
lizard of Huston's staff, called at John
ston's quarters and presented the follow
ing note:
General Huston has the honor to
present his compliments to General
Johnston, and begs to assure him that
there is no man in the republic of Texas
under whom he would be more proud to
serve; but that the president and con-
gress had put upon him an insult; and,
as he could not demand that satisfac-
tion OF the president and congress as he
would wish, he has the honor to request
that General Johnston, as their repre-
sentative, will state when it will be con-
venient for him to meet General Huston
on the field of honor; and that Major
lizard is authorized to return with
reply"
In proportion to its population no sec
tlon OF the country on earth contained
so many able, ambitious, gallant and
chivalrous men as the republic of Texas
at that time. And, of course, dueling,
or, rather, the code of the duello, was a
high and honored custom, if not, indeed,
the law OF that land, and many of the
best men OF the famous new republic had
fallen victims to its stern requirements.
Therefore, Johnston had only one thing
to do-accept Huston's mean, unchiyal-
rous, uncalled for challenge. True, he
had given his predecessor no earthly
ohense. On the contrary, he had ac-
ceptcd his invitation to Join him at a
well-served repast, had made merry with
his host until midnight, and each had
wished the other well at parting. Still,
the requirements of polished barbarism,
or the fear of being ''posted," compelled
a brave, good man to weaken for the
first and only time, and he replied as
follows:
General Johnston reciprocates the
sentiments so kindly expressed by Gen
eral Huston, and begs to inform him,
through Colonel Moorehouse, that it will
afford the general commanding pleasure
to meet General Huston on the west
bank of La Baca ON the following morn
ing, at a point to be determined by their
respective friends"
"This is an outrage" said Colonel
Moorehouse to Major lizard.
~ know it," responded the latter.
General Johnston never pulled a
hair trigger in his life, while General
Huston can put pistol ball into dol
lar thrown into the air. General John
ston is inviting murderW
"Sir!"
Yes, sir; mean what | say. But
he is splendid shot with rifle, and
shall advise him to use that weapon"
The rifle is not allowed by the code,
Colonel Moorehouse."
Il believe you are right" responded
the colonel. "but it is unfortunate that
the only brace of dueling pistols in camp
is owned by General Huston.''
This was true, and it was the opinion
of all that Johnston would not select
rifles as weapons, as he was the soul of
honor and would rather surrender his
life than take the very advantage that
his rival, in a state of great mortifca-
ton, might willingly use over him. The
only pocket case of instruments in camp
was owned by Assistant Surgeon Coates,
and this case was borrowed at about in
the morning by Medical Director Ezra
Reed, on the pretext that soldier had
mashed finger.
But "Bangl" "Bangn" was heard an
hour later, and the whole camp made a
break for the river, shouting:
Johnston and Huston are fighting ="
And so they were, on the west side of
the river.
At the first fire the ball from John
ston's weapon cut twig from tree,
which fell at Huston's feet, while the
ball from Huston's pistol went through
the lapel of his opponents coat. Huston
picked up the twig, and said:
"That was capital shot, general"