Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-03-02


naval officers" in which occurs the
following passage: The last duel
recorded was fought in 1S49 at Old
Point Comfort by Mr. James Hope,
civilian, and Midshipman J. P.
Jones, who used the pistol with which
his grandfather, Commodore Barron,
killed Commodore Decatur; both
Hope and Jones were wounded, but
not seriously, at this meeting"
AS | knew both of these gentle
men long and well Tin fact, from my
early bOyhOod more than 80 years
ago. will you allow me a correction ?
The Mr.. James Hope, a civilian,
was James Barron Hope, at the time
of the duel yOungster of %, who
afterward became conspicuous ng
ure in Virginia as poet, man of let
tiers and editor, and VINO died UNI
verSally lamented in 1897 His
mother was Jane Barron, daughter
of Commodore James Barron, and ne
was named for his grandfather,
whose pistol he used in his due
with MldSnlpman Jones.
Though civilian Hope belonged
to what used to be known as a
navy family having many close klns
men in the old navy (among others
Capt. Sam Barron of Tripoli fame
and the younger Capt Sam Barron
who resigned in 1861 and did good
service in the confederate navy
and when he fought this duel he had
recently returned from a cruise IN
the old Cyane, on which ship he had
served as secretary to Capt. Payne
Capts (afterward Commodores) Blake
ana Pendersast, L. S. ", were also
his uncles by marriage
Again, it is a mistake to say that
the ccmbatants were not seriously
wounded. As a matter OF fact boIh
were so desperately wounded that
their lives We're despaired OF Tor
many weeks after the encounter
Hopes antagonist. John Pembroke
Jones always known as Pembroke
jones', who afterward became Us
tinguished officer in the confederate
navy. flag lieutenant to Comdr Tat.
nall when the latter assumed com.
mand OF the Virginia (Merrfrnac)
after Admiral Buchanan had to be
relieved because of wounds received
in the fight with the Monitor. Is stin
living tnow a resident OF California;,
and is the oldest surviving graduate
of the naval academy.
The duel caused the most tremeu.
dous excitement all through tfdewa-
ter Virginia. and especially in the
his -oric little town of Hampton, the
native place of many Hopes. Bar.
rons and Joneses. The original quar-.
rel was between Pembroke Jones 3
brother Booker and Hope dated back
several years. when the last two
We're students at William and Mary
college
Hope, on his return from MS
cruise in the Cyane, herad (of cyurse
through what Sir Fretful Plag1ary
calls some damned good-natured
friend'0 that Booker Jones had been
making disparaging remarks about
him previous to Booker Jones's de.
parture for California, and denounced
him in bitter terms. Pembroke Jones
who happened to be at home on
leave, heard of Hopes caustic re
marks and at once challenged him
Hope graciously replied that ne had
no quarrel with Midshipman Jones
whom he highly respected" ana sug
gested that the whole matter be post
poned until the arrival of the brother
from California. which would be in
few weeks. when he should IN
stantly demand a full apology OF
the satisfaction usual among gentle.
men"
Joness second. whom l remember
perfectly. in some unaccountable
fashion took up the idea that Hope
was "crawfshing' and without con
suiting Jones decided to press mat
ters and secure a little glory for LIS
man. He speedily found out that he
had made the mistake of mis- ire
Hope read between the lines OF his
reply to his suggestion what was
passing through his mind and sen,
an answer to that repIy that made
a hostile meeting available Jones 5
second, now recognizing his stupid
blunder, made effort after effort tc
effect an honorable arrangement, bur
Hope in his natural Indignation
turned deaf ear to all his over
lures. But it is certain that he
would never have fired at Jones mad
he teen fully informed of all the cir
cumstances. They fought at 10 PAGES
and both fell desperately and it was
supposed mortally wounded. Hope
while both lay in agony on the field
| sent his second at once to- his an
tagonist with his compliments and
trusted that he was not seriously
hurt
They became great friends after
ward and we're both regular attend
ants OF old St Johns" Episcopa
church in Hampton. of which my
father was many years rector.
| constantly saw both of them IN our
home. and after I grew to manhood
was honored with Hopes intimate
friendship until his dsath. He be
lieved until his dying day absolutely
/ in the code duello, but was one Of tne
gentlest most genial and most ami
able men I have ever known. Ev
] erxhodv loved him. for he Rad tne