Evening star., 1941-11-16

investigate the conduct Of the Chesa-
peakes commander, Commodore Barron.
The inquiry was followed by a court
martial resulting in Barrons Suspension
from the service for five years from
February 8, 1903. After the trial, Bar
ron's feelings we're not kindly toward
Decatur, who, he claimed, should not
have served on the court-martial after
having formed an expressed opinion as
8 member Of the court Of inquiry.
Argued Against Restoration
When the War Of 1912 was over Bar
ron, who, during the interval, had re-
sided abroad, applied for restoration to
his rank. Here entered another ele-
ment, which famed the smoldering fre
of resentment into a real fame OF
hatred. Decaturs argument and con-
tention was that he ought not to be
received again into the naval service:
that there was not employment enough
for all the officers who had faithfully
discharged their duty to their country
in the hour of trial, and that 1t would
be doing an act of injustice to employ
him to the exclusion of any Of them"
His further statement that he believed
he was performing duty he owed to
the service, and that he was contributing
to the preservation of its respectability,'
no doubt contributed toward bringing
on the Bladensburg affair.
There never was any question In the
mind Of any one, except perhaps Com
modore Barron, as to the worthy motives
OF Decatur. He expressed no enmity
toward the former and only spoke in
the interest of the service upon which
he had reflected so much glory. Barron,
however, did not consider it in this Light,
and on June Il, 1919, opened the argu-
ment by addressing to Decatur the fol-
lowing note:
Hampton, Va, June IL, 1919.
'Sir: I have been informed in Nor
folk that you have said that you could
insult me with impunity, or words to
that effect. If you have said so, you will
no doubt, avow it, and I shall expect TO
hear from you.
II am, sir, your obedient servant.
JAMES BARRON"
Several communications followed this
one, until on January 16, 1920. Barron
wrote:
"Sir; Your letter Of the 29th ultimo
I have received. In 1t you say that you
have now to inform me that you shall
pay no further attention to any com.
hot "a
other than a direct call to the field: in
answer to which have only to reply
that whenever you will consent to meet
me on fair and equal grounds-that is.
such as two honorable men may consider
just and proper-you are at liberty to
view this as that call. The whole tenor
of your conduct to me justifies this
course of proceeding on my part. AS for
your charges and remarks I regard
them not, particularly your sympathy.
You know not such a feeling. cannot
be suspected of making the attempt to
excite it,"
The arrangements were made between
the seconds-Commodore Bainbridge for
Decatur and Capt. Jesse D. Elliot for
Dbl llOll-dllO az lllC dppOAiVCu eiiilC eiiO
parties repaired to the dueling grounds.
At the word two" both fired so near
together that it sounded as one report.
Barron fell wounded in the right hip,
Decatur stood for a moment erect, and
then, pressing his hand to his right
side, fell, the ball having passed through
his abdomen. He remarked, II am NOR
tally wounded, at least, believe so, and
wish that had fallen in defense Of my
country" When he later sank down
near where Barron lay, the latter de-
clared that everything had been con-
Quoted in the most honorable manner,
and told Commodore Decatur that he
forgave him from the bottom OF his
heart
It was soon evident that Decaturs
wound was mortal. He was driven back
to his home, in jackson place, where he
died at 1890 o'clock that night.
1t was Commodore Decatur who was
the author of the famous toast: "Our
country! In her intercourse with for
eign nations, may she always be IN the
risft; but our country right or wrong"