The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-17
Tragic Account of a Duel Be- tween a Northern and a
 Southern Officer
BY ThAHK M noM1N1cx, OF eaaEassoao, ALA

the point at all hazards. dismounted, prepared to fight on foot. He took ad- vantage of this, coming at least ten yards in advance of his first position. l This diminished the distance between us to at least ten paces. And seeing him take deliberate aim from the fence which hid him almost entirely from my view. giving me q poor sight to aim at, dis erection the peter part of valor, suggested a change of base. and that pretty quick, too, In changing my base of operations, I made a left-about wheel, taking ground two pa ces to the rear. on left side of my horse. At the same time. my antagonist fired two shots more, one of them wound ing my horse so as to unit him for mill itary service. This was the most trying moment of the contest. still had con- fidence in the cartridge that refhained in my gun. Had that failed. would be a dead man. The apparently victorious combatant mistook my manoeuvres for . retreat, at the same time shouting ''Sur- render" He came to where the fenco was thrown down just opposite to me. not over ten feet from me. He was in the act of stepping across, when ordered him the second time to halt. He was going to raise his pistol when the faith full cartridge performed it's work. Even after the fatal shot was fired he vainly attempted to raise his pistol once more. In the attempt the weapon fell out of his hand, and he let himself down. saying: T am e dead man." Seeing this. l dropped my gun, and offered him my hand. He gave 1t a friendly shake and said. You have killed a good man." told him was sorry, but he knew 1t was my duty to my country, and that I was forced to do it in self-defense. He jus tified me In doing as did. but he thought I should have surrendered to him. He said his object was to get away, if pos sible. and if he had gotten my horse he could have done 1t quite easily. I then l asked him his name. He gave me his name. viz: ''Wm. II. Lawrence, Captain Company K. sth Alabama Cavalry. He then told me to send this diary to you. if possible and he further requested me to tell you all the particulars about his death. etc. His wound pained him much, but he bore 1t like 8 hero.
 He was a strong supporter of the South ern Confederacy, which he hoped would he established before long. tried to con- vince him that they were doing wrong in rehelling against the Government of the United States. but he would not yield. I tried to convince him that we could not have peace without the Union.
 me OulOn must AuQ small Oe QrG&cEteus This Is the language of the memorable Jackson and this is the sentiment of the loyal NortsH The mighty armies of the Union will plant tho Stars and Stripes on every Southern fort. Excuse me for meddling with politics.: only wish you to understand that am a firm supporter of the Union and an enemy to all it's op- posers whomsoeVer.
 I must hasten to a close. 1 have ai- ready said more of this unpleasant sub feet than I had intended.
 I intend sending 1t at the first opportun- ity, and my sincere desire Is that 1t may find it's way into your hands soon. Re- member these lines are written by the same hand that caused the death of your husband. Though I am an enemy to the cause in which you sustained such g great loss, yet ask your friendship. I can sympathize with you in your sad be- reavement And believe me.
 Your friend.
 Thomas F. Dornblaser.
 F Company. 7th Pa. Cav.
 Tho diary clones, and it's last entry is by the slayer of it's owner, in fact an account of his death, as given above. Mute, speeches., it stands as a. monu- ment to it's dead owner; mute, speechlese it yet speaks louder than can tongue about the loyalty Of both North and South. Inanimate and hfeIess. 1t pre- serves alike the memory of Northern and Southern chivalry. and above the South. above the North, 1t is an example of the great brotherhood of man.