The Code of Honor | Page 5

Before Fighting.
1. After all efforts for a reconciliation are over, the party aggrieved
sends a challenge to his adversary, which is delivered to his second.
2. Upon the acceptance of the challenge, the seconds make the
necessary arrangements for the meeting, in which each party is entitled
to a perfect equality. The old notion that the party challenged, was
authorized to name the time, place, distance and weapon, has been long
since exploded; nor would a man of chivalric honor use such a right, if
he possessed it. The time must e as soon as practicable, the place such
as had ordinarily been used where the parties are, the distance usual,
and the weapons that which is most generally used, which, in this State,
is the pistol.
3. If the challengee insist upon what is not usual in time, place, distance
and weapon, do not yield the point, and tender in writing what is usual
in each, and if he refuses to give satisfaction, then your friend may post
him.
4. If your friend be determined to fight and not post, you have the right
to withdraw. But if you continue to act, and have the right to tender a

still more deadly distance and weapon, and he must accept.
5. The usual distance is from ten to twenty paces, as may be agreed on;
and the seconds in measuring the ground, usually step three feet.
6. After all the arrangements are made, the seconds determine the
giving of the word and position, by lot; and he who gains has the
choice of the one or the other, selects whether it be the word or the
position, but he cannot have both.
CHAPTER IV
. Duty of Challengee and Second After Challenge Sent.
1. The challengee has no option when negotiation has ceased, but to
accept the challenge.
2. The second makes the necessary arrangements with the second of the
person challenging. The arrangements are detailed in the preceding
chapter.
CHAPTER V
. Duty of Principals and Seconds on the Ground.
1. The principals are to be respectful in meeting, and neither by look or
expression irritate each other. They are to be wholly passive, being
entirely under the guidance of their seconds.
2. When once posted, they are not to quit their positions under any
circumstances, without leave or direction of their seconds.
3. When the principals are posted, the second giving the word, must tell
them to stand firm until he repeats the giving of the word, in the
manner it will be given when the parties are at liberty to fire.
4. Each second has a loaded pistol, in order to enforce a fair combat
according to the rules agreed on; and if a principal fires before the word
or time agreed on, he is at liberty to fire at him, and if such second's
principal fall, it is his duty to do so.
5. If after a fire, either party be touched, the duel is to end; and no
second is excusable who permits a wounded friend to fight; and no
second who knows his duty, will permit his friend to fight a man
already hit. I am aware there have been many instances where a contest
has continued, not only after slight, but severe wounds, had been
received. In all such cases, I think the seconds are blamable.
6. If after an exchange of shots, neither party be hit, it is the duty of the

second of the challengee, to approach the second of the challenger and
say: "Our friends have exchanged shots, are you satisfied, or is there
any cause why the contest should be continued?" If the meeting be of
no serious cause of complaint, where the party complaining had in no
way been deeply injured, or grossly insulted, the second of the party
challenging should reply: "The point of honor being settled, there can, I
conceive, be no objection to a reconciliation, and I propose that our
principals meet on middle ground, shake hands, and be friends." If this
be acceded to by the second of the challengee, the second of the party
challenging, says: "We have agreed that the present duel shall cease,
the honor of each of you is preserved, and you will meet on middle
ground, shake hands and be reconciled."
7. If the insult be of a serious character, it will be the duty of the second
of the challenger, to say, in reply to the second of the challengee: "We
have been deeply wronged, and if you are not disposed to repair the
injury, the contest must continue." And if the challengee offers nothing
by way of reparation, the fight continues until one or the other of the
principals is hit.
8. If in cases where the contest