A Bowie Knife Conflict

Among the many terrible personal recontres that characterized the battle of Pea Ridge, the following from the correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune, is the most fearful we have seen described:–

“While the fight was raging about Miser’s farm house on the ridge, on Friday the 25^th Missouri and a member of a Mississippi company became separated from their commands, and found each other climbing the same fence.  The rebel had one of those long knives made out of a file, which the south has so extensively paraded, but so rarely used, and the Missourian had one also, having picked it up on the field.

“The rebel challenged his enemy to a fair, open combat with the knife, intending to bully him, no doubt, and the challenge was promptly accepted.  The two removed their coats, rolled up their sleeves, and began.  The Mississippian had more skill, but his opponent more strength, and consequently the latter could not strike his enemy while he received several cuts on the head and breast.  The blood began trickling down the Unionist’s face, and running into his eheys, almost blinded him.  The Union man became desperate, for he saw the Secessionist was unhurt.  He made a feint; the rebel leaned forward to arrest the blow but employing too much energy, he could not recover himself at once.  The Missourian perceived his advantage, and knew he could not lose it.  In five seconds it would be too late.  His enemy glared at him like a wild beast; was on the eve of striking again.  Another feint; another dodge on the rebel’s part and then the heavy blade of the Missourian hurled through the air, and fell with tremendous force upon the Mississippian’s neck.  The blood spurted from the throat, and the head fell over, almost entirely severed from the body.  Ghastly sight, to ghastly even for the doer of the deed!  He fainted at the spectacle, weakened by the loss of his own blood, and was soon after butchered by a Seminole who saw him sink to earth.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 2