The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Philosophy
The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)
Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Dueling
The matter having come to this issue, it was agreed they should meet at
Chalk Farm; and thither they proceeded, at nine o’clock on the same
evening. Mr. Scott was attended by his friend Mr. Patmore, and by Mr.
Pettigrew, his medical adviser. The moon shone with brightness; so that
the party had a full opportunity of seeing each other, and, having taken
their ground, they fired together without effect. The second fire was
fatal to Mr. Scott; who received his antagonist’s ball in his groin and
fell. Every assistance which the circumstances would permit was afforded
him; and he was conveyed on a shutter to Chalk Farm tavern; where he was
laid on a bed in an almost hopeless state. Mr. Christie and his second
then retired. Mr. Pettigrew, after having rendered all the assistance in
his power to Mr. Scott, returned to town, in order to procure further
surgical assistance, and to give directions that Mr. Scott’s apartments
at Mr. Bohte’s, in York-street, Covent-garden, should be prepared for
his reception, Mr. Scott having expressed a desire to be removed home. A
short time after Mr. Pettigrew’s departure, however, it was found that
he could not be removed with safety. On examination, it appeared that
the ball had passed through the intestines, and lodged at the opposite
side. The surgeons in attendance, however, deemed it prudent not to
extract it, lest additional inflammation should be excited, and the
danger, which was considered imminent, be thereby enhanced.
After Mr. Scott was wounded, Mr. Christie’s friend apprised Mr. Patmore,
that, in the first fire, Mr. Christie did not direct his pistol at Mr.
Scott; but this circumstance not having been observed by Mr. Patmore,
nor communicated to him at the time, and the parties being still
unreconciled, a second fire unfortunately took place, which terminated
as above stated. On Sunday Mr. Guthrie extracted the ball. Mr. Scott
lingered till Thursday, the 4th of March, when he expired. On the same
evening, the coroner’s inquest sat on the body; upon which occasion Dr.
Darling stated, that Mr. Scott, referring to his wound, had said, “This
ought not to have taken place; I suspect some great mismanagement; there
was no necessity for a second fire.” After a short pause, he
proceeded—“All I required from Mr. Christie was a declaration, that he
meant no reflection on my character; this he refused, and the meeting
became inevitable: on the field Mr. Christie behaved well, and when all
was ready for the fire, he called out—‘Mr. Scott, you must not stand
there; I see your head above the horizon; you give me an advantage.’ I
believe he could have hit me then if he liked. After the pistols were
re-loaded, and every thing was ready for a second fire, Mr. Trail called
out—‘Now, Mr. Christie, take your aim, and do not throw away your
advantage, as you did before.’ I called out immediately, ‘What! did not
Mr. Christie fire at me?’ I was answered by Mr. Patmore, ‘You must not
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