7eat51
03-21-2013, 23:34
On the 22nd of March 1820, U.S. Commodore Stephen Decatur died after dueling with James Barron at Bladensburg, Maryland. Barron challenged Decatur to a dual in response to comments the younger Commodore made about him regarding his actions in the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair of 1807. In the spring of 1807, British authorities demanded that the U.S. turn over to them alleged deserters currently serving in the U.S. Navy. Neither Decatur nor Barron complied with the demand. On June 22, Barron, commanding the USS Chesapeake, set sail for the Mediterranean. The HMS Leopard pursued her and demanded to board the Chesapeake and look for deserters. Barron’s refusal was met with gunfire from the Leopard, and being unprepared for battle, Barron subsequently surrendered. For his actions, he faced a court-martial and was relieved of command for five years without pay. When Barron tried to be reinstated years later, Decatur, who had served on the court-martial panel, was highly vocal in his criticism of, and opposition to, Barron.
The two men’s seconds arranged for the duel to occur at 9:00 a.m. on the 22nd of March. Right before the appointed time, Barron spoke to Decatur about working things out between them, but the seconds did nothing to stop the duel. Barron’s second, Captain Jesse Elliot, did not care for Decatur, and, it appears, neither did Decatur’s own second, Commodore William Bainbridge. The face-to-face duel was set at only eight paces; alternatively, it was not uncommon for duels to include back-to-back stepping away with both parties turning to shoot at an appointed number of steps, often with neither party hitting each other. Decatur did not intend to kill Barron, but only to wound him. At the count of two, both men fired, hitting each other and falling to the ground. As they lay there, Barron stated that he completely forgave Decatur, and when Decatur was being taken away to receive medical attention, he cried for Barron to be taken also. Barron answered with “God bless you, Decatur” and Decatur responded “Farewell, farewell, Baron.”
U.S. Commodore Stephen Decatur:
2678
U.S. Commodore James Barron:
2679
Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat:
2680
U.S.S United States capturing the HMS Macedonian:
2681
The two men’s seconds arranged for the duel to occur at 9:00 a.m. on the 22nd of March. Right before the appointed time, Barron spoke to Decatur about working things out between them, but the seconds did nothing to stop the duel. Barron’s second, Captain Jesse Elliot, did not care for Decatur, and, it appears, neither did Decatur’s own second, Commodore William Bainbridge. The face-to-face duel was set at only eight paces; alternatively, it was not uncommon for duels to include back-to-back stepping away with both parties turning to shoot at an appointed number of steps, often with neither party hitting each other. Decatur did not intend to kill Barron, but only to wound him. At the count of two, both men fired, hitting each other and falling to the ground. As they lay there, Barron stated that he completely forgave Decatur, and when Decatur was being taken away to receive medical attention, he cried for Barron to be taken also. Barron answered with “God bless you, Decatur” and Decatur responded “Farewell, farewell, Baron.”
U.S. Commodore Stephen Decatur:
2678
U.S. Commodore James Barron:
2679
Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat:
2680
U.S.S United States capturing the HMS Macedonian:
2681