Evening star., 1951-03-22
By Edword Boykin

bIlG QOOI VI IIS CACSdIlt, ucWIy~UullC
mansion facing Lafayette Square and
stepped out into the crisp morning.
Throwing his naval cloak about his
shoulders, he hurried off to keep a rem
devious with death on the duelling
grounds near Bladensburg.
In 1920, at the age of IL, Commodore
Decatur was the darling of the Nation.
Slender, graceful, handsome, he was one
of the most romantic figures in Amer
lean history. In 1905 he had electrified
the Nation by his valor in hand-to-hand
combat with the pirates Of Tripoli. He
had captured the British ship Mace
donian in the War of 1872. In. 1915 he
had reduced the Algerian corSairs to
abject surrender in three months. In
1916, at banquet in his honor, he put
the finishing touches to his fang with
the historic toast "Our Country: In
her intercourse with foreign nations
may she always be right, but, right or
wrong. our country"
Honor and praise poured on him.
With his prize money he built, from
plans by Benjamin Latrobe, the man
sion that still stands at the corner Of
Jackson place and H street. Here he
and his wife-"beloved Susan"-lived a
rich, much-sought-after life. His was
the most distinguished home Of the
Capital he, next to President Monroe,
his friend. was its most distinguished
resident
Behind him, this fatal morning, Susan
lay sleeping, unaware. At Bealls Hotel
Con the site of the Library of Congress)
he met his second. Commodore Will
liam Bainbridge (whom Decatur had
once rescued from pirate dungeon in
Africa and friend, Purser Samuel
Hambleton. At breakfast Decatur
seemed cheerful, showed his unsigned
will and declared he had no desire to
take the life of his antagonist. Decatur
was no novice at dueling He had
fought several: seconded others. Break
fast over. the trio called a carriage
and, with pistol cases and TASKS of
brandy drove off towards Bladensburg.
Waiting near Bladensburg were the
challenger, Commodore James Barron,
and his second, Capt. Jesse Elliott. In
1907, the American ship Chesapeake.
commanded by Barron, had been caught
off the Virginia Capes by the British
Leopard. fired on and forced to strike
her colors. The Nation was outraged,
and Barron was court De-
catur was a member of the court which
suspended Barron from the Navy for
five years. Deeply embittered, Barron
went abroad. where he sat out the War
of 1912. In 1918, he returned and
sought reinstatement in the Navy. De-
catur, now naval commissioner resid-
ing in Washington, opposed Barron's
restoration to duty. He also raised the
question of why Barron had not re-
turned to help his country in her hour
of peril.
Thus matters stood in June, 1919,
when Barron, from Norfolk, Va, opened
the correspondence that led to Bladens-
burg. Thirteen letters passed between
the two men. Came at last letter
which Decatur accepted as challenge.
In 1920, the Bladensburg grounds en-
joyed bloody notoriety. In this Sc
cluded vale gentlemen could blaze away
at each other with comparative safety
from the law. The constable seldom in
terfered, lest he disturb the good busi-
ness which duelling brought to the local
tavern, liverymen and undertakers.
On alighting from his carriage, De-
catur led the way down into the little
green valley. Shortly Barron appeared,
walking between his second and a
friend. Decatur and Barron bowed for
mally while Bainbridge and Elliott pro-
ceeded to measure off a north-and-
south line. along which cambridge
stepped off eight paces-not the Gus
H..
duelling pistols and they tossed for
stands. Decatur won. He chose the north
stand. nearest tiny stream, few
inches lower than Barrons. The two
men threw off their cloaks and faced
each other grimly. Decatur appeared
at ease, confident; Barron, six years his
senior, was resolute, intent. During
these preliminaries the principals spoke
not word; the seconds, only those
words necessary to the grisly business.
Gentlemen" said Bainbridge. IT
shall give the words quickly, and as fol-
lows: PreSent-one-tWo-t You
are neither, at your peril, to fire before
the word one nor after the word
three"
Barron turned and asked, Have you
SfSJS$SASAAs
words in the manner you intend to give
them?"
None" replied Bainbridge, repeating,
"One-Two-Three."
Here, for the first time, Barron and
Decatur looked into each others eyes.
Said Barron, II hope, sir, that when
we meet in another world, we shall be
better friends than we have been in
this" Decatur said: II have never been
your enemy, SIR
The seconds stepped back out of the
line of fire. Each held a pistol in his
hand.
Gentlemen" said Bainbridge, make
ready" Decatur and Barron turned
sidewise, looking at each other over
their right shoulders.
Present" Up went the two arms.
"Onei Two! :. :"
A single report rang out. They had
fired simultaneously on the second
count. Barron, struck in the groin, fell
instantly. Decatur Strengthened up vio-