July 11, 1804
In the early morning hours, Burr & Hamilton sat down in separate boats in Manhattan and rowed across the Hudson river to Heights of Weehawken, NJ. This location had long been a popular dueling ground. Both men agreed on the location because dueling had been outlawed in NY.
Burr reached the site first with his second, William P. Van Ness. Ness started clearing the underbrush for the duel. The weapons arrived separately to prevent them being used on the river. Burr & Ness arrived at 6:30 AM, Hamiliton, his second, Judge Nathaniel Pendleton and Dr. David Hosack arrived a few minutes before seven.
Lots were cast to choose position. Two shots was the preferred arrangement. Hamilton fired first into the air. Burr fired back and hit Hamiliton in the lower abdomen. Hamilton died the following day.
Burr fled to South Carolina but soon returned to Washington. His political career apparently over he went out west and became involved with a filibuster to establish the Louisiana territory as it's own empire. Burr was charged with treason and later acquitted. Years later he returned to NY was tried and acquitted for his role in the duel. He died in NY and never apologized to the Hamilton family.
Showing posts with label Dueling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dueling. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Dueling In Missouri 1831
This is a true case:
Quoted from "A History of Northeast Missouri" by Walter Williams © 1913
Page 265
At the February term 1831, the grand jury of Boone County indicted Dr. Nash for sending a letter, challenging Gilpin S. Tuttle to fight a duel. The wording of the letter was very adroit, but the intention of the writer was clear. The indictment was signed by R. W. Wells, attorney general, certified by Mason Moss, foremen of the grand jury, and the trial occured before Judge David Todd, in Columbia. It resulted in the conviction of Nash and his being fined one hundred dollars, the only man ever convicted of that offense in this county. The letter is as follows:
Sir:
I have always been fond of the chase, and of gunning. I have experienced great satisfaction in the chase, in the countries of West Florida and New Mexico, and in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, S. Carolina, Missouri and Tennessee,—in the extreme eastern part of the latter, I took my first chase when quite a boy. Now, Sir, the object of this communication is to let you know that there is not anything could be more greatful to my feelings than to take a short hunt with you, in some place not exposed to Indians depredations, and , as my first chase was in the East of Tennessee, I propose to take this (perhaps my ]&st) chase in the extream West of that state, say in the Mississippi bottom opposite New Madrid. I propose the hunting camp to be located some where near the Mississippi river (nigh to where the eye of Leonard flashed on Major Berry) and then and there the preliminary arrangements will be made for the hunt, by * * * say our camp keepers—and they will, no doubt, give you liberty to execute your threat of 12th of June last, on me—and if you stick close to the chase, I insure that we will have something of better colar, if not so strong scented, as that with which you plastered my letter 10th of last June.
To Capt. Gilpin S. Tuttle, Yours &c.,
Nashville, Mo. I. P. Nash.
P. S. Sir—I most seriously invite you to this hunt—you may object to the season, but 'tis the best time to save meat and skins, and the climate is more mild at New Madrid than here. I have frequently observed that men by being camp- mates (each doing his duty) would become great friends, and agreeable associates. Therefore this measure is absolutely necessary three days after this is delivered, I shall call at Nashville for an answer for this invintation, believing most confidently that you will perfectly understand this prelude at the first glance. There is an embargo (and something worse) on those who execute certain instruments of writing in Missouri, which criminal words I have, and will avoid. But there is no law (that I know of) which prohibits hunting parties.
Yours,
I. P. Nash.
There's more on this colorful character of Missouri's past, if you're interested do some further research.
Quoted from "A History of Northeast Missouri" by Walter Williams © 1913
Page 265
At the February term 1831, the grand jury of Boone County indicted Dr. Nash for sending a letter, challenging Gilpin S. Tuttle to fight a duel. The wording of the letter was very adroit, but the intention of the writer was clear. The indictment was signed by R. W. Wells, attorney general, certified by Mason Moss, foremen of the grand jury, and the trial occured before Judge David Todd, in Columbia. It resulted in the conviction of Nash and his being fined one hundred dollars, the only man ever convicted of that offense in this county. The letter is as follows:
Sir:
I have always been fond of the chase, and of gunning. I have experienced great satisfaction in the chase, in the countries of West Florida and New Mexico, and in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, S. Carolina, Missouri and Tennessee,—in the extreme eastern part of the latter, I took my first chase when quite a boy. Now, Sir, the object of this communication is to let you know that there is not anything could be more greatful to my feelings than to take a short hunt with you, in some place not exposed to Indians depredations, and , as my first chase was in the East of Tennessee, I propose to take this (perhaps my ]&st) chase in the extream West of that state, say in the Mississippi bottom opposite New Madrid. I propose the hunting camp to be located some where near the Mississippi river (nigh to where the eye of Leonard flashed on Major Berry) and then and there the preliminary arrangements will be made for the hunt, by * * * say our camp keepers—and they will, no doubt, give you liberty to execute your threat of 12th of June last, on me—and if you stick close to the chase, I insure that we will have something of better colar, if not so strong scented, as that with which you plastered my letter 10th of last June.
To Capt. Gilpin S. Tuttle, Yours &c.,
Nashville, Mo. I. P. Nash.
P. S. Sir—I most seriously invite you to this hunt—you may object to the season, but 'tis the best time to save meat and skins, and the climate is more mild at New Madrid than here. I have frequently observed that men by being camp- mates (each doing his duty) would become great friends, and agreeable associates. Therefore this measure is absolutely necessary three days after this is delivered, I shall call at Nashville for an answer for this invintation, believing most confidently that you will perfectly understand this prelude at the first glance. There is an embargo (and something worse) on those who execute certain instruments of writing in Missouri, which criminal words I have, and will avoid. But there is no law (that I know of) which prohibits hunting parties.
Yours,
I. P. Nash.
There's more on this colorful character of Missouri's past, if you're interested do some further research.
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