A duel was fought in this month between Sir James Lowther, and Sergeant Bolton, when three pistols were discharged on each side, but no material injury was done to either of the combatants; and the seconds interposing, they were reconciled.
BETWEEN AN OFFICER OF THE NAVY AND A GERMAN OFFICER.
August, 1784.
An officer in the navy, and a gentleman in the German service, fought a duel with swords and pistols, in a field near Bayswater. Four pistols were discharged, one of which slightly wounded the former in the left shoulder; but in the rencontre with swords, the latter was run through the thigh. A surgeon, who attended, stopped the effusion of blood, which was great; and the gentleman was taken to his apartments in Dean-street, dangerously ill.
This, it appears, was the second duel which these gentlemen had fought. The first was in France, where they were both desperately wounded. The quarrel was a difference of opinion on the conduct of General Burgoyne in the Hudson’s Bay expedition, in which they both served.
BETWEEN CAPTAIN BRISES AND CAPTAIN BULKLEY.
February, 1785.
A duel was fought between Captains Brises and Bulkley. The first shot being won by the latter, he fired, and narrowly missed his antagonist, who discharged his pistol in the air; and the seconds interposing, the affair ended in the field.
BETWEEN LIEUTENANT F—— AND MR. GORDON.
March, 1785.
A duel was fought between Lieut. F——, son of General F——, then quartered in the Old Barracks at Chatham, and a gentleman of the name of Gordon, who was on a visit to his brother, an officer in the same barracks; when Mr. Gordon was so desperately wounded in one of his legs that amputation became necessary. The affair originated in a quarrel at cards.
BETWEEN LORD MACARTNEY AND MR. SADLEIR.
April, 1785.
The duel between Lord Macartney and Mr. Sadleir, which was at first thought unfounded, appears to have been a serious business. They, with their seconds, Mr. Davidson and Major Grattan, took their ground about seven o’clock in the morning, on the 24th of September, 1784. The distance marked by the seconds was ten paces. The lot to fire first fell to Mr. Sadleir; who firing accordingly, the ball struck Lord Macartney on the ribs of the left side, which was not known to the seconds till after his Lordship had likewise fired, but without effect. It had been previously agreed between the seconds, if, after the first fire, no material execution had been done, to interpose their good offices to effect a reconciliation. This they were about to do when it was discovered that Lord Macartney had been wounded. When the previous agreement was mentioned to his Lordship, and he was asked his sentiments, his answer was—“That he came there to give Mr. Sadleir satisfaction, and he was still ready to do so.” And Mr. Sadleir being told that Lord Macartney was wounded, and that, in the present circumstances, the affair could not honourably be pursued any farther, he acquiesced, and declared that he was satisfied. And thus the affair ended.