The National tribune., 1902-01-02
BETWEEN THE LINES.

| Duel Between Yank and Reb at Petersburg
| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Mai. John
Dwyer, 63d N. Y, in his historical sketch
at the dedication of the Irish Brigade
Monument at Gettysburg, concluded his
| sketch with an incident that occurred be-
tween the lines, which probably had not
| its counterpart in the whole war. Pri-
vate Michael De Lacy did his share in
crushing the rebellion by conspicuous
act of heroism, in this way: June IS.
1864, bloody assault was made on the
enemys works along the lines in front
of Petersburg. Tons of shot and shell
were rained on the cnemy's works. The
compliment was returned. In the after
noon Grants infantry columns emerged
from their covering and made a desperate
assault TO be hurled hack after cffectng
lodgment in many places, leaving the
ground Uttered with the Union dead and
dying The Fedcrals were not diScour-
aged, but were desperate at the loss Of
many brave comrades.
In the center of the Union line the G3d
held one of the chain of forts, closer than
usual to the COnfederates. The latter
were exultant, and did everything to
aggravate their Yankee opponents. This,
following the unsuccessful assault Pri-
vatc De Lacy, of Go. G., could stand it no
longer. He was in an advance rife-pit
with six other comrades. Before night
fall, after enduring the taunts Of the reb-
els for several hours, he called out to
the men in the nearest rife-pit on the
other side: Say, Johnnies, you are a
lowliyed lot of spalpeens You face the
Yankees in the open, and well knock the
devil out of yees. We can lick yces every
timel' G.i'r =
Thus spoke De IdeNd A voice from the
rebel riAe-pit came with this rejoindcr:
''Do you hear thee Yaifkee IrishmanI Go
soak your head. Pat: you keep still, or
wcll send a niggah after you"
Il won't fight yotf inagur, but | will
and can whip the best man in your measly
gang. you infernat slaEe-drivers; meet me
half way, and I'll show yees"
agreed, Yank; come -bnr'
''Do you name Il p Bring your gun and
bayonet; man agin man; no shootin',"
spoke up Michael, and he jumped from
the pit. A stalw&rt rebel did the same,
bayOnct fixed BY common consent the
over the slight protection of earth to wit
ness the singular combat. Yank and
Johnny deliberately fliagched toward each
other at charge bAyonets. When within
few PAGES they halted. Michael first
spoke: "Now, thin, prove yourself n man,
you - rebel" '-Pif show you, you
green Yankee Irishman,' came from the
man III gray. AT it they went. They
moved in circle, The points of the bay
onctS touching each other 1t seemed Ger
tain death for one or both, and they felt
it, The spectators OH either side kept up
constant shout Of approval for their
respective friends. The suspense was be-
coming painful while the combatants
went round and round, glaring at each
other, with vengeance in their eyes. Sud
denly the butternut made q lungc at his
opponent, expecting TO dispatch him with
q desperate thrust aimed at his heart. The
man in blue nimbly jumped to his left, and
before his enemy could recover himself
from his effort the butt of Michael's mus
kct took him in the chin. delivered with the
strength OF an OK. Mr.. Rebel staggered
from the force of the blow. and fell full
length on MS back, his gun going into the
air. In an instant De Lacy's foot was
on his neck his fixed bayonet pointed at
his heart, where he held il for a moment.
Now, rebel. who is the best man, Yam
kee or johnny" You've won, fank.
and | give up Thin. you larn to be-
have yourself. and remember Il Yankee
lrishman can fight and be generous. tco.
IL you are not satisfied, send on your
uacurs."
With that the 63d man threw his cap
in the air, caught ii ON the point Of his
bayonet. and marched back to his dug0ut
with the s.r Of Roman conqucror The
soldiers on both sides gave him Il rousing
cheer, after which the shooting of the
picketS was again resumed. 1t is proper
to say here that the victor after that day
WAS borne on the rolls as Scrg't Michael
De Lacy, I'm honor he honestly and brave
Iy won.-IOHS Mc.tHhLLY, 49, =. Divi-
sion 81. Buffalo. \. Y.