Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-03-10
A Historical Duel.


man can do if he knows fencing thor
oughly and but keep cool and collect
ed in danger, we will relate historl-
al duel. So extraordinary is this coin-
bat that it would be held omance
had it not been witnessed by whole
army. The hero is Jean Louis, one OF
the great masters of the beginning OF
this century, and the duel happened
in Madrid in 1918. He was the mas
ter-at arms of the Thirty second regi-
ment OF French infantry. The First
regiment, composed entirely of Ital-
ians, formed part ofthe same brigade.
Regimental esprit de corps and ri
valries Of nationality caused constant
quarrels, when swords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged.
After q small battle had occurred In
the streets Of Madrid, in which over
200 French and Italian soldiers had
taken part, the officers of the two reg
iment, in a council Of war assembled,
decided to give such breaches OF or
der a great blow and TO re-establish
discipline. They decreed that the
master-at arms of the two regiments
should take up the quarrel and fight
it out
Imagine a whole army in battle ar
ray on one Of the large plains that
surround Madrid. In the center a
large ring is left open for the contes-
tants. This spot is raised above the
plain so that not one Of the spectators
OF this tragic scene-gayly dressed Of
licers, soldiers in line, Spaniards, eX-
cited as never bull fight excited
! them-will miss one phase Of the con-
test. 1t is before 10000 men that the
honor Of an army is about to be
avenged in the blood of 30 brave men.
The drum is heard. Two men,
naked to the waist, step in the ring.
The first i. tall and strong. His black
eyes roll disdalnfully upon the gap
ing crowd; he is Giacomo Ferrari,
| the celebrated Italian. The second,
tall, also handsome, and with mus
cles like steel, stands modestly await
ing the word Of command; his name
is Jean Louis. The seconds take
their principles. 4 death-like silence
ensues.
"On guard !"
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly ct
Jean Louis, but in vain. His every
thrust is met by parry. He makes
up his mind to bide his chance and
caresses and leases his opponent ;
blade. Jean Louis, calm and watch
full, lends himself to the play, when,
quicker than lightning, the Italian
jumps aside with n loud yell and
makes terrible lunge at Jean Louis
"a Florentine trick, often successful.
But with extraordinary rapidity Jean
Louis has parted and risposts quickly
in the shoulder.
1T is nothing cries Giacomo, "a
mere scratch" and they again fall on
guard. Almost directly he is hit in
! the breast. This time the sword Of
Jean Louis, who is now attacking,
penetrates deeply. Giacomo's face
becomes livid, his sword drops from
his hand. and he falls heavily On the
turf. He is dead.
Jean Louis il already in position.
He wipes his reeking blade; then,
with the point of his sword on The
ground, he calmly awaits the next
man.
The best fencer OF the First reGi-
Uent has just been carried away a
corpse, but the day is not yet over.
| Fourteen adversaries are there, I'M
patient to measure swords with the
conqupror. burning TO ayenge the
master they had deemed inyincible.
Jean Louis hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. y new adversary
stands before him. : sinister click Of
swords is heard, lunge. parry, a
rispoSt aud then a cry, s sigh, aud all
is over. a second,body is.before Jean
Louis.
a third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis to rest. Il am not
tired" he answers, with a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian i
as tall as t,.e one WHO lisI there a
corpse covered by Il military cloak.
Il has closely watched Jean Louis
play and thinks he has guessed the
secret Of his victoIies.5 He multipIies
his feints and tricks; then, all at once,
bounding like a tiger on his prey. he
gives his opponent a terrible thrust
in the lower line. But Jean Louis
sword has parted and is now deep
within his opponents breast.
What need we to relate any more
Ten new adversaries followed him,
and the ten fell before Jean Louis
amid the excited yells and roars of
an army. At the request of the
Thirty-second regiments colonel,
who thought the lesson sufficient,
Jean Louis after much pressing con-
sented to stop the combat, and he
shook hands with the two survivors,
applauded by 10000 men.
From that day fights ceased be-
tween French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic com
bat might be held a fable were not
all the facts above stated found in
the archives OF the ministry Of war.
1t beat the doctors-Mrs. Boyd, %
Weeden St, Providence, r. l., says:
Il suffered for three months from