rch 17, 1934
WHEN' one thinks of «luels ami
«hiding here in the United
States, one's mind turns sub¬
consciously to Kentucky or Louisiana
rather than to North Carolina, for
conservative North Carolina has never
considered dueling one of her leading
outdoor sports.
An early recorded North Carolina
duel of special interest occurred in
1S02. between John Stanly and Rich¬
ard Dobbs Spaight, both of Craven
County. This duel grew out of com¬
ments uttered by Stanly reflecting
upon the politienl earner of Governor
Spaight.
Л
heated correspondence took
place which resulted in n challenge be¬
ing sent by Sternly. This challenge read
in part. “Your hand-bill of the 4th
instant is before me. It affords abun¬
dant proof of what I intended the
world should Ik* convinced; that the
character which you attempted to play
off before them was assumed, and
could not long be supported : that you
walked on stilts ... to your disap¬
pointment this letter informs you that,
humiliating as it is to my feelings to
fight a man who can descend to the
filth contained in your hand-bill. I
shall expect that you will meet me as
soon as may be convenient, to give
that, satisfaction which you assure me
that ‘if I ask for it once, I shall not
be under the necessity of doing it the
second time’.”
To this challenge Governor Spaight
replie*!. “Sir — Your- of this date has
been received. My friend. Dr. Edward
Pasteur, will appoint the time and
place, and make the other necessary
arrangements with your friend.”
Dr. Pasteur was Governor Spaight's
second, Edward Graham was Mr. Stan¬
ly’s second. Pistols were the weapons.
The duel took place the same day that
the challenge and the reply were sent
— September ft, 1802, Sunday after¬
noon. presumably in Craven County.
At the fourth firing Governor Spaight
received a mortal wound from which
he die-1 within twenty-four hours.
Richard Dobbs Spaight served his
native state as a member of the con¬
tinental congress, Annapolis, Decem¬
ber 13, 1783, a member of the conven¬
tion called to form the Constitution
of the United States, Philadelphia,
May 14, 1787, legislator, governor of
the state- 1792, nrnl congressman.
John Stanly was a brilliant, man
of n keen, legal mind, a cutting tongue
and a high temper. As a state legisla¬
tor over lengthy periods of time he
was many times speaker of the House.
He served, also, as congressman.
THE STATE
DUELING
IN NORTH
CAROLINA
- By -
ALICE DUGGER GRIMES
- ★ -
Edward Stanly, son of Hon. John
Stanly, also was embroiled in a duel.
His opponent was Hon. Samuel W.
Inge, a brother-congressman of Ala¬
bama. though l*orn iu Warren County.
North Carolina. This duel was fought
near Washington. D. C., neither was
seriously hurt.
Edward Stanly was shaker of the
House, attorney general, and member
of Congress. During the Civil War ho
was, by Lincoln's appointment, mili¬
tary governor of Eastern Carolina
with rank of Brigadier General.
The duel lietwGen General Montford
Stokes and Mr. Jesse A. Pearson of
Rowan County was fought near Salis¬
bury, both men being of undoubted
courage, “both sudden and quick in
quarrel." General Stokes was severely
wounded ami bore the resultant soars
to his grave.
Montford Stokes served in the navy
-luring the Revolution under Commo¬
dore Stephen Decatur, senior. Later
he became United States senator, gov¬
ernor of the -late, and, by President
Jackson’s appointment, Indian agent
in Arkansas.
Mr. Jesse A. Pearson was a member
of the well known Pearson family of
Western North Carolina. He began his
public career ns a legislator though he
was more a soldier than a statesman.
As an officer under General Graham,
he fought against the Cherokees, lati-r
became Major General of the State
Militia.
Mr. Samuel P. Carson, young and
gifted, was from Burke County and
Dr. Robert B. Vance, from Buncombe.
Both wore candidates for a sent in t lie
19th congress (1825-27). Mr. Carson
though much younger, and at the lo¬
ginning of the contest scarcely con¬
sidered formidable, was elected.
The campaign was heated and re¬
★
suited in n challenge from Mr. Carom
to Dr. Vance. This duel, fought near
•Saluda, just across the border iu South
Carolina, was repugnant to Mr. Cur-
son, hut having become involved, lie
carried it through. He was an ex<’«d-
lcnt marksman and at the given signal,
Vance fell mortally wounded, dying
within a few hours.
Dr. Vance, one of the state’s ablest
physicians, a scholar and a statcMiinn
was the son of David Vanee, promi¬
nent soldier of the Revolution, and un¬
do of Gov. Zbbulon B. Vance and of
Gen. Robert B. Vanee.
The most brutal duel on record in
• North Carolina took place between
< 'apt. Alexander Simpson and Lieut.
Thomas Whitehurst of His Majesty’s
sloop-of-Wnr, Viper. It was staged iu
Brunswick County near old St. Phil¬
ip's Church in 176ft. Pistols were
chosen. Each man was wounded, but
Simpson's was the deadlier aim. nnd
Whitehurst, severely wounded, fell.
Simpson wounded in the arm, hurried
toward Whitehurst lying prone upon
the ground and struck him on face and
head, crushing his skull. The force of
the Idow broke both the butt nnd the
pan of the pistol at the sonic time.
Escaping, a reward of fifty pounds
was offered for Simpson’s arrest. He
finally surrendered and was tried for
manslaughter. The penalty imposed hv
the providing officer. Judge Charles
Berry, was “that the ball of the left
thumb be branded in open court with
the letter— M — ”
Col. Alfred Waddell writes concern¬
ing this duel as does the historian.
Mr. John H. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler
attributes the duel to the politicians
of the «lay; that Captain Simpson
sympathized with the Colonists while
Lieutenant Whitehurst- sjiellod White
«•burst by Mr. Wheeler, a relative of
Mis. Tryon — sympathizes) with the
Governor.
Col. Waddell hints very strongly
that an attractive young woman of
Brunswick played a leading role. Sup¬
posedly beloved of both men — although
Capt. Simpson was a married man
with a young wife, each jealous of the
other— the duel resulted. The reason
for the suicide of the presiding judge
Inter is conjectural also.
This duel seems to be the earliest
recorded duel in North Carolina nnd
n 1 so the only recorded duel that con¬
tains the faintest suggestion of a love
theme, all of the others were the ont-
«•oinc of politics with its accompanying
jealousy, misunderstanding, bitterness.