Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1914-03-25
NO. A..

myself slipped off over the branch
and crawled through the brush and
over logs and lay down behind a
big poplar tree. In a short while we
saw lone ambulance coming from
the other side Of the hill, followed
by two surgeons. then the principals
with their seconds at a respectful
distance. On reaching the spot chns-
en- lots were cast for choice of sta
tions. This fell to Capt. Bland. The
distance was measured with me-
chanical exactness, dueling pistols
| produced, each second loading that
Of his principal. The regular duel
ing pistol is a costly affair ano of
the very finest material. Long slim.
,ltle barrel with hammer under
meath, the stock finely chiseled and
e!aborately ornamented with silver
or gold, the whole about ten inches
IN length and carrying a bullet of
% calibre. The seconds took their
places at an equal distance from
each other and midway between the
principals. Capt. Bland takes his
position at the west end Of the field,
and major Seibles the east. Bo.h
stood confronting each other, calm,
.,ml defiant, an Insult to be wiped
pnt, and honor to be sustained.
They turned facing the rear, hands
down, with pistols in the right. The
seconds called out IN calm deliber-
.le tones, "Gentlemen, are you
ready?" Then, Ready, aim, fire."
One, two, three, stop" The shoot
my must take place between the
words "hre and stop,'' or during
The count of one, two, three. There
vas q matter at issue dearer than
country, wife or child. 1t was honor
md true South CaroliDian of the
lid stock. would give or take life
% uphold his name or the honor of
his family. AS the word fire was
given two pistol shots rang out on
The stiffness Of the morning air.
Capt. Bland stands still erect, com
handing as an Indian brave,
lraishL and slender as the noun.
tain pine. Major Seibles remains
steadyfor a mumens, then sways a
llttle to The left, staggers and falls
INTO the arms Or iiiss second zafids
surgeon. A hasty examinationis
made. Blood! calls out the secondsof
major Seibles. A nod of satisfaction
Is given and Acknowledged hs both
seconds. Capt. Bland retires ON the
arm OF his second Capt. J. H.
crooks, with the major now bleed q
Ing profusely from a wonnh IN the
chest. The matter was kept qules
and no action taken. Major Seibes
died the following year, while the
gallant Bland was killed at Chicka- +
..uga while leading as colonel the
evenlh regiment i'll battle.
Some years before this had read
III account of the duel between
,ruoks and Wigfall, believing then
that the code of honor was the best
,ay to settle difficulty. And now
through my veins blood was run
ing like quicksilver, singing to me
he sweet song of life. And this
Iuel | must See though we were a
title closer than / cared to he, bat
the log and vines kept US from view.
Ind after seelng what dld, l COLL
,.udpd that it was foolishness for
two men to face each other in dead
- ,.nmbar. calm. and deliberate,
waiting for the other fellow to say
when anu how to sIiike, and aller
| plenty of time to mediate and
mink how foolish and awful the
.rne. 1t simply takes man with
steel nerve, and an iron will to
fight that way. I decided then and
.m If The opinion that due'lns t5
murder in the first degree. | cln un-
lerstand how m,n can fight ON the
impulse of the moment while the
rain storm is on. But from that
Law to this, have looked upon the
ode of honor so called, as foolish
less.
J. Russell Wright.