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Topic: Satisfied (10/11/04)
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TITLE: A MATTER OF HONOR By David Garrett 10/14/04 |
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“I demand satisfaction!” his challenger barked.
“I assure you, sir, I have done nothing intentional to offend you,” Alex responded.
“Nevertheless, offense has been taken and nothing short of blood will suffice. This must be settled on the field of honor. The choice of weapons is yours.”
“Very well,” Alex replied. “As you wish. Pistols at dawn by the old mill bridge, two weeks hence. I must have time to settle my affairs.”
The challenger nodded curtly and stormed off. Alex shrugged and shuffled slowly to the door. As a Christian man, he certainly could not take the life of another man over such a trivial matter. Still, the code duello could only be satisfied by blood.
Dueling was, of course, against the law; but in a young America honor still outweighed the law. To refuse the challenge was to admit cowardice in the eyes of the community. His reputation would be ruined.
He had but one choice. Regardless of the outcome he would hold his shot or throw it away. He'd leave his fate in God's hands.
The next two weeks had been busy for Alexander. He had put all his affairs in order. Come what may, he was ready. He slept the restful sleep of the righteous. His opponent spent each morning of the two week grace period in target practice. He too was ready.
The orange July sun slipped above the gray horizon like a blooming flower. A light haze of fog clung to the meadow in desperation against the warmth of the rising sun.
A small group of men had gathered in the middle of the meadow—the two combatants, their seconds, the referee, and a few cohorts.
Weapons were selected and the two stood back to back.
“One, two, three . . .” the count began.
“Lord, give me courage,” Alexander whispered under his breath.
“Four, five, six . . .”
“My life is in your hands, O Lord.”
“Seven, eight, nine, ten!”
They turned to face each other. At the command “Present!” the shots rang out almost as one. Alexander's shot was purely reflexive, the lead ball pitching up dirt a few feet before him. His opponent's ball found its mark.
Alexander Hamilton stiffened, went up onto his toes, turned to the left, and fell flatly on his face. To his second, Nathaniel Pendleton, he declared, “Take care of that pistol; it is undischarged and still cocked; it may go off and do harm.” He did not realize that his convulsing finger had spent the round. It would be more than twenty-four hours before he breathed his last breath.
His satisfied opponent, Vice President Aaron Burr, was later indicted for murder and lived the next few months in exile. On November 5, 1804, he returned to his seat as Presiding Officer of the United States Senate.
Copyright 2004 David Garrett
Note: This story is based on fact. Essential details are accurate, but some liberties were taken in terms of narrative and dialog.