"A Duel Between Enlisted Men"

[John Hartwell]

In 1888, a veteran of the 12th Illinois Cavalry wrote to the National Tribune (Nov. 11th issue), about a "little episode" of the war. It had occurred in the spring of 1864 during the retreat following Banks' defeat at Sabine Crossroads. The army had paused while Lt. Col. Bailey was constructing his famous dam in the rapids, permitting the fleet to pass over: ......

The cavalry was constantly on the march, and consequently had many skirmishes with Gen. Dick Taylor's rebel cavalry. I remember one little episode, which may be of interest to some of the readers of your excellent paper. ​

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One morning our regiment found some rebel cavalry posted in a wood skirting a bayou. They opened fire upon us, which made us look for shelter, too. We were soon posted in a wood about 80 rods distant, with an open field between us and the rebels. We then had some sharpshooting, but with little injury to either side, being so securely sheltered by the woods. Finally one of the rebels becoming desperate, cried out: "Stand out from behind those trees and give us a fair shot at you, you d--d Lincoln hirelings!"​

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Jerry Sawdry*, of Co. E, 12th Ill. Cav., replied: "Stand out yourself, you d--d rebel, and give us a shot at you!"​

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The rebel said he would if Sawdry would. After the word of honor had passed between them they both ​

stepped out into the open field with leveled guns. The rebel shot first, Sawdry indicting on which side of ​

his head the rebel's ball had passed.​

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Sawdry then fired next, and the rebel sought shelter in haste. Sawdry called on him to "hold on," but he ​

made no halt or response, and did not show himself again.​

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A few days after we captured some rebels belonging to the 7th Texas, and among them a brother of the rebel ​

who had fought the duel. He said that Sawdry's bullet had passed through his brother's lungs, causing his ​

death a few hours after.​

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After we had retired, he measured the distance between the men where they had fought the duel, and found ​

it to be over 1,000 yards. He said that he had been an eyewitness to the duel, and that when he learned the ​

distance between them he was very much surprised at the result.​

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We were armed with the Spencer carbine. The duel is only one of many which took place during that long and ​

bloody war. [J.M. Gardner, Sergeant, Co. E, 12th ill. Cav., Eagle, Neb.]​

*The correct spelling is "Sawdy," not "Sawdry." In 1923, the Redondo Reflex (CA), called Jeremiah Sawdy "the last survivor of General John A. Buford's cavalry." (The 12th Ill. Cav. got around ... it was at both Gettysburg in 1863, and the Red River in '64.) He was born on March 17th, and each year the Redondo G.A.R. and W.R.C. threw an Irish-themed birthday party for him (see attachment).

 

[JOHN42768]

Interesting, wonder how many more situations of this type occurred that never were reported.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I've not heard of this, thanks for sharing! An account of Spencer carbine's in the Red River Campaign is interesting enough all on its own. I've never thought to look up and see if any were around at all.

Pretty funny that they thought the man sought cover when he had really been shot. Though I'm not sure it was a thousand yards, back then as now one could rarely see that distance for all the trees and brush in that part of Louisiana.

 

[UCVRelics]

Great Story. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[bankerpapaw]

They could hear each other speak at 1000 yards?

 

[John Hartwell]

They could hear each other speak at 1000 yards?

They'd have to yell, real loud!

I wouldn't take the distance too literally. Memories can get shaky after nearly 25 years, and it was probably a guess in the first place.