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
In the August of this year, the following most savage “affair of honour”
took place near Philadelphia. A challenge was sent by a Dr. Smith to a
Dr. Jeffries, and, being accepted, the parties met. The distance fixed
upon was only eight paces; at which they exchanged shots, without either
of them receiving any injury. Some efforts were then made by their
friends to bring about an accommodation, but unavailingly; as Dr.
Jeffries declared that he would not leave the ground until he had lost
his own life or taken that of his antagonist. Pistols were then handed
to them a second time, and at this fire the right arm of Dr. Smith was
broken, which delayed the proceedings for a few moments, until he
recovered from the exhaustion; when he declared, that, as he was
wounded, he was ready to die, and requested the seconds to proceed. The
pistols were then put into their hands a third time, Dr. Smith using his
left hand. At this fire Dr. Jeffries was wounded in the thigh, and his
loss of blood occasioned an exhaustion which again delayed the conflict
for a few minutes. He, however, recovered, and both desired to shorten
the distance. They now stood up for the fourth time, covered with blood,
and at a distance of six feet. They were to fire between the words “one”
and “five,” and the shot proved fatal to both parties. They fell to the
earth. Dr. Smith was dead when he dropped, the ball having penetrated
his heart. Dr. Jeffries was shot through the breast, and survived but
four hours. They fought with perfect coolness. When Dr. Jeffries saw
that his antagonist had fallen, he asked if he was dead; and being
assured that he was, he declared his own willingness to die. Before he
expired, he said he had been a schoolmate with Dr. Smith, and that they
had been on terms of great intimacy and friendship for fifteen years;
and he bore honourable testimony to his character as a man of science
and a gentleman.
BETWEEN GENERAL SEBASTIANI AND GENERAL LAMARQUE.
August 1, 1831.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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