The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-25
KNEW NO FEAR.
Col. Belo's Famous Duel With Cap
 tain Cousins.

Col. Belo's Famous Duel With Cap
 tain Cousins.
 Dr. B. F. Ward of winona, Miss, writes as follows to The Memphis Con- mercial-Appai:
 Notice in your yesterdays issue of the death of Col. A. H. Belo. the we'll known editor of The Galveston News, and mention of the fact that Captain Cousins of Richmond. Va, had con- tributed a magnificent floral offering to the bier of his former antagonist in . duel. recalls vividly to my mind one of the tragic episodes of the war.
 The brigade of Gen. Jos. R. Davis was composed of the End. 1lth and 42d Mississippi regiments. the 55th North Carolina and 4th Alabama division of Alabama and had entered the service as Colonel of the 4th Alabama. of which regiment my friend Dr. Hudson was surgeon. and l was at that time sur geon of the 11th Mississippi. The 56th North Carolina was commanded by Colonel Conly, Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and, Major A. H. Belo.
 Major Terrell was Laws chief of staff and Cousins was an aide. In Q recent battle Major Terrell had critt- cised the conduct of the 9th North Car 0iluds SOlOUGi OoHfy c0hs him a challenge and Belo followed fm- mediateiy with a challenge to Cous- sins. The preliminaries were quickly arranged for a dual combat. Conly and Terrell, Belo and Cousins were to fight in the same field at the same hour. I received a note from Major Belo in the evening notifying me that he would light Cousins next morning and requesting me to accompany him as his medical attendant. We met promptly at the appointed hour in little barren field, surrounded by dense pine forest. It was dismal, cloudy morning and the moaning of the winds through the pines sounded like a funeral dirge. The two hostile parties were separated from view or each other by an intervening ridge.
 Our party proceeded, without delay, to their deadly work. the other party. 1t seemed, adopting the better part of valor, fell to parleying. Belo and Cous- sins met, shook hands cordially and en- tered into free and easy conversation about the latest war news. while tne seconds were arranging the ground. Tn the choice of position. Cousins was placed next to the woods. while Beio stood out in the open. I see Belo yet as he stood there dressed in fuli uni- form, buttoned to the throat. tall. sien- der. symmetrical, and erect as an in- dian chief. With the proud and grace fuI boise of head, curling red mustacne and steel-gray eyes. he looked the pc ture of a warrior and cavalier. They were both dead game" but wholly unI,ke Belo represented the highest type of the Southern soldier, apparently fond of life but ready to sacrince H for principle, or good name.
 Cousins was as cold and calm anu restrained as though the presence of danger was a pleasant anticipation' His appearance was striking ana pe- culiar; dressed in a gray shirt ana dark trousers. he was devoid or q mi itary feature, his hair long ana piacs as raven. swept to ms snonioers n,'. anu curled gracefully upward. Ills proM and eyelashes were intensely black. while his eyes were blue and clear ss the sky. His skin was fair and soit and his expression dreamy ana poeu- cal, He had a strange foreign ioo6' as though he might have had in his veins the mingled blood currents or west Indian and some proud old Span'sh Den. They bowed away rom ea:n other to take their positions With .ne grace of accomplished courtters. Col oneI Goldsby was second to Cousins and Captain Townes to Belo. The word fell to Goldsby. Distance forty races, weapons Mississippi rifles
 They stood side to side facing in op
 posite directions and were to fire with out turning. They hal choice of hold ing the weapons with muzzie III or down. Belo held his up and conse- ouently fired with a falling snot' Cousins held his down and fired with a rising shot. The seconds stood twen- ty paces back from the line. facing each other. half way between the prin
 cipals. The surgeons stood the same distance back from the line, but opro- site to and facing his prospective pa tient. Colonel Goldsby called in clear deliberate voice: Gentlemen, are you ready?" Ready" was the prompt re- sponse. "One. two, three, fire! Bang the fires were so simultaneous ss to sound like one report. Instantly they both brought their guns back ana stood moticnless IS before. When It was apparent that neither would fall, Cousins bowed and said, bad shoot ing, Major" Beio returned the salu- tation and answered, I've must do better than that when we meet the enemy again." Both seemed. playing for She mastery Colonel Goldsoy esk- ed, "Gentlemen, are you satisfied? Belo answered in a clear, firm voice. mot satisfied" The guns were re- loaded and positions resumed. Gen tlamen, are you reac?" Ready" One. two, three. sir,l" Bang-and the keen crack of the rifles was instantaneous. After a moment of awful suspense tQ us. Belo quietly remarked. bad shoot ing again, Captain" Cousins an swered sharply and with apparent IT, ritation, "Very bad" as though he felt that his marKsmanship had iiscredt-- ed him.
 Again Colonel Goldsby. who was a most refined and cultured gentleman, with sympathies as tender as a we- mans called out, almost with anguish in his voice, "GentIemen. are you sat- isfed?" and once more from Belo came the quick response that sent chill through ms all, Not satisfied" The guns were reloaded for third fire. and I shall never forget the expression of pain on Goldsby's fine, pale face as he called out for the third time, Gen tlemen, are you ready?' At this cIit- teal moment pr. Hudson, from the other party. appeared on the crest of the ridge. waxipg his hat and shouting to us to hold on." As he came up. hat in hand. his first expression was, Don't fight so d-d fast: we are about to settle the matter over yonder." Goldsby and Townes readily agreed to accept any settlement made by the other parties. Hudson soon returned to us. escorting the other belligerents, with the cart>l in his hand. Every body shook hands, and the whCle party adjourned to my ambulance in tn woods near by where I had gallon
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