The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-18
the military movements which led to
the trouble between Belo and himself.
no concluded his letter as follows:
"Eorest I,oduo

the niiitasy movements which led to
the trouble between Belo and himself.
no concluded his letter az follows:
Forest Lodge,
Glen Allen, Va, December 6. 1905.
In reply to your inquiry, would
say that tho Suffolk duel can be of
no public interest, except in It's rela-
ton to tho Federal seizure OF Fort
maps the most dramatic incident of
lIongstreets Suffolk campaign.
Next day came a message from
Major Belo suggesting tho desirabtlity
OF apologies or explanations regard
ing the irregularity of my methods:
priety OF shot or two for satisfac-
TONS sake
Now. am not an advocate OF the
duello. although ] certainly think that
1t tends to abate class Of evils which
are often graver than itself. L accept
cd the majors invitation partly be-
cause he had an unQuestioned right to
extend It, and partly because it offer
ed satisfactory solution to an awk-
ward situation. but chiefly because 1t
has been my LIES habit never to send
a challenge and never to decline one.
So asked Colonel Goldsby-giori-
GUS Tom Goldsby, Of Alabama--to take
the matter up and assent to any terms
which might be agreeable. Duelling
PISTOLS were scarce, but Mississippi
rifles were plentiful. SO Mississippi
rifles were agreed on, with reg ulation
cartridges and distance OF forty
PAGES. Details were soon arranged
and Colonel Goldsby gave the word
The majors bullet had venomous
ping as 1t Kissed by, clipping off a
sapling two inches above my head. My
shot raked the majors shoulder, in
hicting painful, but not disabling.
wound. Captain Townes, his second.
nrt httf afn IlAl,
steadied himself and waved his second
aside, declaring himself unhurt and
calling for another shot.
II took leave OF the major at his
ambulance and never saw him again
After the war he established himself
at Dallas. Tex, and became promi-
nent figure in State and national az
fairs. He was President Clcveland's
friend, and accompanied him on the
Yellowstone expedition
i Will add that I never felt the
slightest luminosity toward Major Belo
He was noble gentleman, courteous
and brave. In fighting mo he was act
Ing clearly within his right, and 1 ad-
mired his spirit then just as / honor
his memory now.
Il think the sole survivor of that lit
tie party is the surgeon who attended
Major Belo. and who is now that wide
ly known and well-beloved writer and
physician, DIR. 2. T. Ward. of winona,
Miss.
Major Belo and myself were strang-
ers-introduced on the feld. Neither
OF US had anything to do with the
loss of the fort, and 1 think now that
L ought to have made explanations and
offered apologies for my interference
with his command.
Respectfully,
JOHN CUssONs."
Then DR.. Ward gives brief summary
OF the character of Captain Cussons,
who died last year DR. Ward Is the
strange conflict, which reads as pas
sage at arms between knights of AL
cantara or the Templars who were
wont to have meetings for the exchange
OF civilities at the end of the lance
His postscript, written few days ago,
is as follows
Captain Cussons Died Last Year.
About thirty minutes run from Rich
mond, at Glen Allen, stands his beau
tiful home, Forest Lodge. with its
lake and park. where for many years
he dispensed a hospitality that might
be termed royalty democratic.
His was one of the most striking and
imposing personalities In the Old Do
minion.
He was captured at Gettysburg
while fighting with Hoods men half
way up the slope of Little Round Top,
III vain retrieve the loss
OF Longstreets unfortunate delay
To the day of his death he was in
tensely and perhaps somewhat bitterly
loyal to the Southern people and the
cause of the Confederacy. He was a
brilliant, versatile and classical writer.
His description of the arrest and ex-
ecution OF Jack Sterry. the Federal spy
by General Hood. seven miles from
Thoroughfare Gap. when we were
rushing to the support of Jackson at
second Manassas. was one of the most
graphic and thrilling stories OF the
war.
1 know it to be correct because 1 was
there and witnessed that tragic affair.
Sterry played a desperate game and
lost, but he died as proudly as the Ro-
man gladiator who. as he stepped into
the arena and lifted his eyes TO the
vast assemblage that thronged the
Flavian Amphitheatre exclaimed.
"Morituri saluatmus"-we. who are
about to die, salute you.
Is. T.. WARD.
NJ,