The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)

by J. G. Millingen

BETWEEN T. HUNGERFORD, ESQ. AND R. TRAVERS, ESQ.
August 13, 1820.

A fatal duel took place on the 13th of August at the island, within four miles of Klonakilty, between T. Hungerford, Esq., and R. Travers, Esq., a young gentleman of that neighbourhood. In the first fire the latter received the ball in his forehead, and instantly expired. The cause of the dispute was of some standing, and was likely to have terminated amicably, through the interference of mutual friends; but, unfortunately, on the preceding day a difference occurred upon a trivial point in the arrangement, which led to the lamentable catastrophe. They had been previously on terms of the closest intimacy.

BETWEEN MR. R. STUART AND MR. TOWNSEND DADE.
August 20, 1820.

A duel was this day fought between Mr. Richard Stuart and Mr. Townsend Dade, both of King George county, Virginia, on the Maryland shore, immediately opposite their residence, at a short distance, and with muskets loaded with buck-shot. Mr. Dade was shot dead, and Mr. Stuart was so severely wounded, that he expired in a few hours. They were near relations, neighbours, and theretofore close friends. The unfortunate difference occurred about a mere trifle.

BETWEEN MR. FULLIOT AND MR. BURROWES.
September 17, 1820.

In consequence of a dispute Mr. Fulliot, a gentleman well known in Chester for his amiability of disposition, on Monday morning received a challenge from Mr. S. Burrowes, a person connected with the law. The combatants drew lots for the first fire, which Mr. Burrowes won; the distance fixed upon was twelve paces. Shots were exchanged without effect: the pistols were a second time loaded, and both fired together with a like result. An ineffectual attempt was now made to reconcile the parties, and the fatal weapons were again discharged, which unhappily were too certain in their aim. A ball pierced the head of Mr. Fulliot, and fractured his skull. Mr. Burrowes was killed on the spot.

BETWEEN MR. JOHN SCOTT AND MR. CHRISTIE.
February 16, 1821.

A duel, attended with fatal consequences, took place on Friday evening, the 16th of February, at nine o’clock, in a field between Chalk Farm Tavern and Primrose Hill. The parties in this unhappy conflict were Mr. John Scott, the avowed editor of the London Magazine, and Mr. Christie, a friend of the supposed conductor of Blackwood’s Magazine, Mr. John Gibson Lockhart, of Edinburgh. The quarrel between these gentlemen had its rise in a series of articles which appeared in the London Magazine, discussing the conduct and management of Blackwood’s Magazine, and regarded by Mr. Lockhart as offensive to his feelings and injurious to his honour. Mr. Christie, as the friend of Mr. Lockhart, waited upon Mr. Scott to demand an explanation of the articles in question; and, in fact, to require a public apology for matter which he considered personally offensive to himself, or such other satisfaction as a gentleman was entitled to. This interview led to others, as well as to a correspondence, in which much of mutual warmth was expressed.

To prevent misapprehension of what had occurred, Mr. Scott published his statement of the transactions to which he had been a party; which was very generally circulated in the literary world, as well as copied into some of the daily papers. This was followed by a statement on the part of Mr. Christie, the friend of Mr. Lockhart; which was succeeded by a second statement from the pen of Mr. Scott, in which he treated the conduct of Mr. Lockhart with great asperity, and defended the course which he had pursued with considerable warmth. Then followed a counter-statement from Mr. Christie; in consequence of which, Mr. Scott proceeded with his friend Mr. Patmore, to Mr. Christie’s lodgings, and demanded an apology or instant satisfaction. Mr. Christie refused the former, and expressed his readiness, without loss of time, to grant the latter.

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.