The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-05
A WAR DUEL.

there enacted. 1t had been sown with shot
and bladed thick with steel on the previ-
Gus afternoon, and the harvest of death
was ungathered lying in windrows along
the ghastly burrows that had been cut by
the red plowshare of war. Tho infantry
line stretched far away to the right, and
their gray uniforms blending with the
hazy atmosphere gave them very shad-
owy appearance. Many Of the regiments
were indeed but shadows of what they had
been at noon on the preceding day. Some
were in line without even one commits
stoned officer, and others with but the nor
NAL strength of q single company. For
example, as attested by the official record,
the Twenty sixth North Carolina entered
the battle with 800 rank and file, and, al
though none was captured but so an
swered to their names at the close of the
day. Colonel Henry r. Burgwyn, Jr.,
who commanded it, and all the field off,
GERS were killed. Captain II. G. Albright,
who had command of 1t after the battle,
was its only commissioned officer left un-
wounded. Company Fl of the same regi-
ment went In with 81 men and three off,
GERS and came out with but one man
standing upon his feet, all the others hav-
ing been killed or wounded. knew the
sole unstricken survivor well. He was
Private John Secrest, robust young farm
er Of Meckienburgh county, N. G., and
/ regret to state that instead Of being
grateful to Providence for having plucked
him as brand from the burning he
grumbled loudly over the loss of one of his
shoes, torn from his foot by grapeshot
that struck tho heel while he was falling
back in good order.
The 80 squadrons Of horse that were
awaiting orders in dreamy half sleep
were commanded by Brigadier General
Wade Hampton. He was the beau ideal
of a cavalry commander, of tall, heroic
form, n superb horseman, brave and en-
terprising without being rash, and with
daring always tempered by sound judg-
ment. He was unquestionably the strong
est man in the Confederate service and
the only one In either army who, enlisting
as q private soldier, rose to the rank of lieu
tenant general But, although judi
eious commander, he was possessed Of
knightly spirit of adventure, and as adven-
lures come to the adventurous his bril-
liant military career was marked by many
thrilling personal experiences.
But brave heart is no buckler against
a steel blade, as General Hampton real
lied that morning. Hearing bullet hiss
just over his head, he turned his face to-
time to see the flash Of gun at point
about 800 yards away, and then he heard
another leaden messenger cut the air near
him. He at once rode at brisk trot in
the direction of the timber to find out the
early bird of n sharI,shooter who thus
broke upon the quiet of the morning with
his shrill note of battle. When he had
ridden about 175 yards at right oblique,
he came to high stake and rider rail
fence. Looking to the front he saw,
standing on large stump some 4 or s
feet in height soldier whose blue coat,
bound with orange colored braid, and pan
falcons with stripes of the same color on
the outer seams, indicated that he was a
United States cavalryman. He seemed to
be what the Scots term Draw lad, " and
although not engaged in political cam
paign had taken the stump" doubtless
that he might get better view of the Con-
federate troops on the elevated plateau
south of the woods.
The contour of the ground hid General
Hampton from his command when he
halted at the fence. AS he drew his pis-
tol the quick eyed skirmishcr saw him. and
they both fired ut the same instant. The
ball from the soldiers rified carbine splin-
tered rail near the horses head, and that
from Wade Hampton's Al caliber revolver
made the bark fly from the stump. The
duel was clearly irregular, as there were
no seconds, and the principals were about
l25 yards apart instead Of 10 or 90 PAGES,
as prescribed by tho code of honor, and
they We're unequally armed, although each
was within far range Of the others weap-
on. Hampton held his pistol muzzle up,
at a ready and courteously waited on his
antagonist, who threw back the lever OF
hia narhipn Ainninn ,1t tba ,tu
shell put in a fresh cartridge.
Again the reports of the earbine and pis-
tol blended and bullet passed through
Hampton's gray cavalry cape, grazing his
right breast.
The soldier then inserted q third car
fridge, but could not close the breach of
his rifle, the trouble evidently being that
the gun was foul, and hence the butt of
the metallic case did not go in flush with
tho socket. He raised his right hand with
the palm to the front, as If to say to his
adversary, "Wait bit, III soon be with
you," and then drew his wiping rod, and
after driving out the stuck cartridge took
piece Of rag from his pocket, and, wet
ting it with his tongue, attached 1t to the
slit in the rod and deliberately cleaned
out his carbine The delay sorely taxed
the patience of Hampton, as 1t would that
vi any VIM was htpb
to be shot at. But he was as incapable of
taking an unfair advantage of his enemy
then as he was at Brandy Station, where,
during the flercest cavalry engagement of
the war, he dashed up to a Federal colonel
to cut him down, but seeing that his
sword arm was disabled saluted him in
stead and passed on to seek another foe.
The high roosting cock of the woods
soon relieved him by again opening fire,
but at Hampton's return shot the carbine
fell from his grasp, and ho jumped down,
and after picking 1t up with his left hand
retired to the rear
At that moment General Hampton re-
ceived blow on the back of his head that
would have unhorsed less stalwart rider.
He turned upon his assailant, who in
stantly wheeled his horse and fled at full
speed. Hampton followed quickly in pur-
suit, his thoroughbred mare sprlnging for
ward at the touch of the spur. The 1ee-
ing Federal officer, for such his uniform
stamped him, was also we'll mounted, but
Hampton overlook him, and leveling
pistol within three feet of his head pulled
the ( icgsr. Sut the cap snapped. Sew
eral times he pulled, but with the same re-
suit. Tho Union officer bounded on as If
conscious of his peril.
Hampton was ABOUT TO uraW MS sworn
when his intended quarry turned short of
TO the left through u gap In the fencel
which Hampton himself had not seen un-
Til borne past it. He had the satisfaction
of hurting, the pistol at his flying foe, ao-
companyink 1t with some words which did
not entirely become his character as yes-
tryman of the Protestant Episcopal church,
but that was all.
General Hampton found that the Union
officers sword had given him deep cash
about four inches in length, and that but
for the thick felt hat and heavy suit Of
hair he wore would have cut to the brain.
A few inches of court plaster enabled him
to keep on duty until he received q severe
gunshot- wound in the leg on the last Of
xha bettla Ton Years Later Colonsl Frank