The Civil War in North Carolina



Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians

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        Like him of Scotland it may be truly said:


                         "--This Duncan
                         Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
                         So clear in his great office, that his virtues
                         Will plead like angels, trumpet tongued, against
                         The deep damnation of his taking off."

        By his marriage with Miss Polly Leach he had four children.

        I. William, who died young.

        II. Richard Dobbs, a leading statesman in the state; for years in the legislature; in congress from 1823 to 1825; governor in 1835; died unmarried.

        III. Charles, who died unmarried.

        IV. Margaret, who married Honorable John R. Donnel, one of the judges of the state from 1819 to 1836, who left four children.*

        * See sketch of Judge Donnel.


        An accurate portrait of Governor Spaight hangs in one of the rooms of Independence Hall, Philadelphia.

DUELS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

        The kind dispositions of the people of the state, their unambitious tempers, together with aversion to acts of violence and blood, have done much to discourage the practice of duelling. Of late years there have been but few "affairs of honor," so called. In our readings, however, we have met some cases of a custom "more honored in the breach than in the observance." Doubtless other cases have occurred that we have never heard of.

        Honorable John Baxter, (United States judge in Tennessee,) about 1850, met Colonel Marcus Erwin; exchanged fire, and Baxter slightly wounded; cause, political.

        Bynum Jesse and Jennifer of Maryland, (same cause,) neither hurt.

        Honorable Duncan Cameron, and William Duffy, met near Hillsboro; Judge Cameron wounded. Duffy represented Fayetteville in the legislature of 1806.

        Honorable Samuel P. Carson and Dr. R. B. Vance, (see sketch of Carson.)

        Honorable Thomas L. Clingman and Wm L. Yancy, (see sketch of Clingman.)

        Joseph Flanner and Walker, near Wilmington; latter killed.

        Louis D. Henry and Thomas J. Stanly, 1812, latter killed.

        General Robert Howe and Gadsden, of South Carolina, fought May 13th, 1778, in South Carolina, neither hurt.

        Honorable J. J. Jackson and Joseph Pearson; political, 1812, at Washington.

        Thomas F. Jones and Dr. Daniel Johnson at Bladensburg, 1846, latter killed.

        Law and Blanchard, (Bertie County.)

        Scatterwaite and Kennedy.

        Strong and Holmes, (Sampson County.)

        John Stanly and Governor Spaight, (see sketch of Spaight.)

        Edward Stanly and Samuel W. Inge, of Alamance; political; neither hurt.

        Montford Stokes and Jesse A. Pearson, (Roward County,) Governor Stokes wounded.

        Alexander Simpson and Thomas White-hurst, in 1766; latter killed.

        Yellowby and Harris.

        John Stanly, born 1774, died 1834, was a native of New Berne. The son of John Wright Stanly. He was educated for the law; strong in mental as well as personal gifts, he attained high distinction in his profession. Blessed with a clear and musical voice, with manners at once graceful and dignified; bold and fearless in his elocution, sarcastic and severe in expression, he was in his day an advocate of great power and success.

        He early entered the stormy arena of politics, and took satisfaction in mingling in its fierce and furious strife. At an early age, (in 1798,) he was elected a member of the House of Commons, of which he was elected speaker, and in which he continued, with intermissions, until 1826, when he, whilst debating, was struck with paralysis and never recovered. He was a member of the Seventh Congress, 1801-3,
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