Post by sloanrodgers on Jun 21, 2010 23:18:24 GMT -5
Here is an interesting letter that I found in the Nov. 2, 1842 Texas Times from Galveston, Texas. It was written
by midshipman Fielding R. Culp of the ship Wharton, Texas Navy before his duel with fellow midshipman George W.
White on Oct. 1, 1842 at the infamous Dueling Oaks in New Orleans.
Thoughts Before Fighting a Duel
Can any one set down and coolly and calmly think on death, without a thrill vibrating every nerve? To think that
only a few, very moments may elapse before his immortal soul will be winging its flight to worlds unknown, and
knows not whether it will take its place amidst a bright throng of angels, or drag its weary way to the dark and
fiery abyss prepared for such as I! My God! Such thoughts are enough to rack the soul and make the stoutest
nerves quail! To bring the haughty and the proud to their knees and in humble penitence and supplication ask
forgiveness of the God who made them! I am morally and religiously opposed to dueling! It does not prove that
one is a gentleman, or a brave man, neither does it give satisfaction of an insult; for, to receive an insult and
a ball also, is very poor satisfaction to a man of feeling and of his honor. Almost any man can raise physical
courage enough to fight a duel, but few, alas! too few are possessed of moral courage sufficient to stem the
tide of public scorn, and walk erect through myriads of hisses spit out by those who are too low in the scale of
virtue and morality to repeat it in any shape. I trust, and pray, that the public will not condemn the course that
I have pursued. There are situations, times and occasions, when men must act with boldness and firmness to
command respect from those with whom they are thrown. Into such a one am I thrown, and I sincerely trust that
God will forgive me, for the course that I have pursued.
Fielding R. Culp
Fielding R. Culp lingered in the City Hotel for three days and died on Oct 4th. He was buried in New Orleans
and eventually was returned to Texas. Culp is interred in the Texas State Cemetery here in Austin.
by midshipman Fielding R. Culp of the ship Wharton, Texas Navy before his duel with fellow midshipman George W.
White on Oct. 1, 1842 at the infamous Dueling Oaks in New Orleans.
Thoughts Before Fighting a Duel
Can any one set down and coolly and calmly think on death, without a thrill vibrating every nerve? To think that
only a few, very moments may elapse before his immortal soul will be winging its flight to worlds unknown, and
knows not whether it will take its place amidst a bright throng of angels, or drag its weary way to the dark and
fiery abyss prepared for such as I! My God! Such thoughts are enough to rack the soul and make the stoutest
nerves quail! To bring the haughty and the proud to their knees and in humble penitence and supplication ask
forgiveness of the God who made them! I am morally and religiously opposed to dueling! It does not prove that
one is a gentleman, or a brave man, neither does it give satisfaction of an insult; for, to receive an insult and
a ball also, is very poor satisfaction to a man of feeling and of his honor. Almost any man can raise physical
courage enough to fight a duel, but few, alas! too few are possessed of moral courage sufficient to stem the
tide of public scorn, and walk erect through myriads of hisses spit out by those who are too low in the scale of
virtue and morality to repeat it in any shape. I trust, and pray, that the public will not condemn the course that
I have pursued. There are situations, times and occasions, when men must act with boldness and firmness to
command respect from those with whom they are thrown. Into such a one am I thrown, and I sincerely trust that
God will forgive me, for the course that I have pursued.
Fielding R. Culp
Fielding R. Culp lingered in the City Hotel for three days and died on Oct 4th. He was buried in New Orleans
and eventually was returned to Texas. Culp is interred in the Texas State Cemetery here in Austin.
