Anecdotes of Dueling

Seventh-Day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 31, 1884

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 5

Anecdotes of Dueling.

FREDERICK THE GREAT was so heartily opposed to dueling that he resolved to put a stop to it, at least in his army. He issued an order that the first party engaging in a duel without his consent, should be summarily punished. On the very next day after the promulgation of this order, an officer appeared before him, and asked his permission to challenge a comrade to mortal combat. He gave his consent, but stipulated that he should be notified beforehand of the time when, and the place where, the duel was to be fought.

The hour appointed for the conflict arrived; and when the belligerent parties appeared upon the ground they found the king there; and, to their great surprise, saw a gibbet erected on the spot! The challenger appealed to Frederick to know what this meant.

“It means this,” answered the king, sternly: “I intend to witness your battle until one of you has killed the other; and then I will hang the survivor!”

It may be believed that the duel was not fought. And, thenceforth, dueling was a rare event in the Prussian army.

It is related of the late Judge Thatcher, of Maine, that, while a member of Congress, he was challenged by a brother member to fight a duel. The judge, as all who knew him could knowingly avow, was not deficient in animal courage; but he was opposed to dueling. To his challenger he made answer, in his bluff, off-hand way:— “I will go and consult my wife; and, if she consents, be sure I will accommodate you.”

“Ho! you are a coward!” cried the other. Whereupon Thatcher responded, with a nod and a most significant smile of contempt:—

“Aye, you thought I was, or you never would have challenged me!”

In the memoirs of the Marquis de Donnisau, who was most earnest in his opposition to the duello, we find the following: One day he overheard two brave soldiers, belonging to his cavalry, just winding up a heated and angry dispute by drawing their swords for mortal combat. The challenge had been given, and instantly accepted.

“Hold! One moment!” the Marquis exclaimed, as he came upon the scene. “Which of you two, think ye, will have the pleasure of robbing himself of a friend and a brother, and, at the same time, robbing me of one of my best and bravest soldiers? Have we no enemies, that you must turn your swords against one another?”

For a brief space the two men looked down, evidently feeling foolish and conscience-stricken. Then they sheathed their weapons, and joined hands; and together thanked their lord for the good he had done them.