The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-02-13
FAMOUS DUEL Is RECALLED
Something About the Affair Between
Commodore Decatur and Commo-
dOre Barron Back in 1920.

one OF tn most memorable duels
in the annals of the United States.
Commodore Decatur and Commo-
dore Barron met on the fatal field
near Bladensburg that day. Both
participants were wounded, Deca-
tur fatally, dying within a few
hours after the encounter. The
causes which led to the i'll feeling
between these two naval heroes f
have never been accurately deter
mined, but il IS generally suppos
ed that Decatur's harsh criticism
OF Barron on account of the latter
not returning from abroad to take
part IN the war brought about the
breach. Certain it is that Deca-
tur's words were repeated to Bar
ron and correspondence between
the two ensued, which probably
resulted in the challenge. The
impending duel was kept a pro-
found secret. Only a few of the
most intimate friends of the re-
spect1ve participants had even an
inkling of it Decatur was the
first to arrive upon the scene. He
was accompanied by Commodores
Rodgers and Porter and several
other friends Barron arrived a
few minutes later. The combat
ants bowed stiHly to each other
and stood waiting for their friends
to measure off the ground and
make the final arrangements,
Il hope sir" said Barron as
they took their places, that when
we meet in another world we shall
be better friends than we have
been in this
Decatur is said to have haughti-
ly regarded his adversary a mo-
ment and then replied;
Sir, l have never been your
enemy.
a moment later the word was
given, and two shots rang out
simultaneously. Barron fell al
most Immediately. Decatur
Strengthened himself, but the pistol
fell from his grasp and in a mo-
ment he was upon the greensward
writing in agony He was raised
by his friends and carried nearer
the road, where Barron was lying
Il wish I had fallen in the ser
vice of my country" Decatur NUT
tered ,whereupon Barron looked up.
Everything has been conducted
most honorably, " he said
Then turning his eyes upon De
Catur:
II am mortally wounded. Com
modore Decatur, l forgive you
from the bottom of my hsart"
As Decatur was being lifted in
to a carriage cambridge, whom
Decatur had once rescued from a
Moorish prison, stopped down and
kissed his cheek.
With his head upon Rodgers
shoulder and in company with a
physician, Decatur was driven
slowly back to the city and car
ried into his residence on Lafay-
cite square, where he died few
hours afterward.
The news of the duel spread like
wildfre throughout the city. The
following day John Randolph Of
fered consolidary resolutions in
congress which, however, were
promptly objected to, and the
press vigorously denounced the
practice of dueling,
Barron ultimately recovered from
his injury, but it is said the mem
DRY Of the fatal duel darkened his
life ever afterward. He lived un
til the year 1851 and had charge
of several vessels. At his own re-
quest he was court martialed upon
the charge made against him by
Decatur and exonerated. Wash
ington Star.
A weak Stomach, means weak
Stomach nerves, always. And this is
! also true of the Heart and Kidneys.
It's pity that sick ones continue to
drug the Stomach or stimulate the
Heart and Kidneys. The weak nerves.
/