Evening journal., 1909-08-23
03s Surgeons YindicatiOn
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lorIglnall

was studying medicine IN Philadelphia.
Jellffe was graduated a few months
after the firing on Fort Sumter. which
opened the war. He was delicate lit
tie fellow, not at all in the fighting line,
the only bullets he took to being his
pills He would have liked to stay in
the north, where he would not be ex-
pected to fight, but his father peremp-
torily ordered him home, and the med
ical knowledge he had gained was ap-
propriated by the Confederacy.
Little Jeliffe was looked upon as
being so feminine and received so
many taunts on that account that he
made up his mind he must do some
thing to prove his manliness. Being
invited to a carouse by some of his
brother officers. he carried out his in
tentlon by getting drunk. Fortified
with an infusion Of the blood of John
Barleycorn, he was brave as a lion,
and when one Of his associates called
him Miss Jeliffe he smote the offender
hip and thigh-that is, he threw a
glass of whisky in his face. The in
sulter, Captain Ralph Pawning, would
have annlhilated the young surgeon
then and there, but the others placed
themselves between the two and pre-
vented.
The next morning the doctor awoke
with a splitting headache. He had
scarcely opened his eyes when there
was a tap on his tent pole and in
walked Lieutenant Rutledge He in
formed Jeliffe that he had been sent by
Captain Pawning to demand satisfac-
ton for "the outrage" of the night be-
fore Jeliffe asked what outrage"
Rutledge refreshed his memory. Jeliffe
was astonished and not knowing
what to do, said that he would com
municate with the challenger later
The lieutenant having departed, Jeliffe
sent for one Of his brother officers,
Captain Parker. with whom he was
most intimate, for consultation and ad-
vice. Parker looked serious. stroked
his beard and said
"ReckOn you're in a hole, Davey.
You can only get out in one way-by
taking your chances with Pawning.
You must meet him."
"Why not apologies" moaned Jeliffe.
Because you've been regarded the
Miss Nancy OF the regiment, and IL
you apologize after having resented
being called SO it will fix your status.
You'll have to stand the contempt Of
every officer"
Parker left the tent with reluctant
permission from Jeliffe TO arrange the
terms of a meeting, and as soon as he
had gone Jeliffe gave himself up to
despair
There was desultory fighting for a
week, then luil. One morning Lieu
tenant Rutledge came to Jeliffe and
told him the meeting must take place.
Jeliffe plucked up what courage he
could muster and said he would see
Parker. Parker Immediately went to
Rutledge and returned with the in
formation that all had been arranged.
The meeting was to take place in a
field just back of the picket line at
daylight the next morning
Jeliffe, fearing to show his condition
before his brother officers, kept his
tent. Soon after taps he put out
his candle to prevent any one coming
In and sat on his cot in terror Mid
night came, and he was still sitting in
the same position. At o'clock in the
morning he had become desperate and
at 4, when his second came to his tent
he was ready to die. He walked out tc
the field. showing neither trepidation
nor bravery. He was subject to 50
many conflicting emotions that they
neutralized one another.
They found their opponents on the
field waiting for them. There being nc
dueling pistols in camp. the seconds
had arranged that shots should be ex
changed with revolvers. At a sigma
the opponents should begin firing and
continue till one had fallen or the
chambers of his revolver had beer
; emptied. They were placed thirty
PAGES apart. Jeliffe facing the east and
Pawning the west Rutledge was L
give the signal by dropping a hand
kerchief. Both the principals had theil
weapons raised, as was permitted by
the terms. The handkerchief was still
/ fluttering in the wind when there was
! "crackl" and Pawning fell dead.
! Rutledge looked with a glare at Je
life and put his hand to his hip, in
tending to shoot him, supposing tina
he had fired before his time, but Par
ber prevented. Both ran to Pawninl
and found him stone dead. They pro
ceeded TO Jeliffe, took his revolver anC
, found that it had not been discharged
Suddenly several shots were heard, ant
= bullets whirled about the heads of tn,
party. They precipitately took t.
: cover.
, 1t was plain enough now. The spo
they had chosen was exposed TO tn
enemy's picket line, and Pawning ha'
been killed by n sharpshOoter. Thi
question arose what should they sa.
about the duel. It was decided to Civ
the facts, e1onerating Jellffe and com
mepding him for the fortitude WITT
( which he had stood up TO fight wit
= one Of the bravest men in the army
1t was further announced that he wa
J to be in future respected accordingly.
/. The officers who told this story sur
! posed that. since it was the truth,
/ would De believed Only that portio
h was believed referring TO Jeliffe'
s lpluck. The rest was supposed to hav
e been concocted 10 save him from
= court martial for having killed Captai
Pawning In vain it was asserted tha
tlS statement was the truth and notl
! ing but the truth. Jeliffe was spare