Dueling Death of Decatur

Alexander Hamilton's death did not put an end to the practice of dueling in America. Although nearly forgotten today, another duel sixteen years later shocked the nation as much or perhaps even more.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #USNavy

[@Paladin1873]

Bainbridge and Decatur figured largely in my early family life. My father was born to a prominent family in Bainbridge, GA, the seat of Decatur county. My great uncle built the Stephen Decatur Hotel there in 1942, where I later spent many Sundays visiting my great aunt, running about the hotel, working the switchboard, playing in the TV lounge, and having supper in the dining room. But most of all I remember the large portrait of Commodore Decatur in the hotel parlor. Now they are all gone but the memories, not even a footnote in the history guides.

[@timothysworld1028]

i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hzsAAOSwwuljSvfg/s-l1600.jpg

[@jadams92002]

That's my home town also.

[@Johnpalmer-eq7yq]

Figueroa. Security. Owns it. From. Seattle. Weird. Treasury cards. Go out get business. Ten yrs to learn that.

[@Johnpalmer-eq7yq]

Prob the rest of the house us starving. Responsibility here. I'm not only house meber that knows

[@dziban303]

​@@Johnpalmer-eq7yqup your dosage

[@jaydunno8266]

Decatur's house was on Lafayette Square in Washington DC, very near the White House. It is said that on the night before the duel, he stood staring out the first floor window. Supposedly his ghost has been spotted staring out of that same window. I walked by the house years ago when I was stationed in the area, and I noticed that one of the first floor windows was blocked off.

[@greggi47]

I can't think of any time that your historical investigations and remembrances has failed to be interesting and informative, and entertaining too. This is one more in the long list of successes. About halfway through, I noticed that your tie was carefully chosen to complement the topic, with those ship's anchors. It was a subtle and charming added bit of detail that increased my admiration for your taste and wit.

[@eurogael]

I grew up knowing all about John Barry as he was born near my hometown in Ireland, Wexford, and to this day has a monument overlooking the sea in that town.

[@francislarv3012]

There is also a statue in my home town of South Boston

[@seanmccann8368]

A fine monument.

[@rwarren58]

It’s like getting an episode of Charles Kuralt Sunday on a Friday. Peaceful yet intense and interesting as always.

[@jaydubbyuh2292]

Thank you history guy. I thank you heartily. My son is a lieutenant Junior grade in the Navy, having graduated Virginia military institute and this presently at the US Naval War college in Newport Rhode Island. His great uncle twice removed was a ship's captain whose name was Decatur Lee Belvin, but known to the family as, "Cater". You did a piece of several years ago on the USS Fanning, who along with the USS Nichols was the first US Naval vessel to sink an enemy submarine in combat. Another uncle of ours Chief machinist mate Luther Linwood Jenkins was aboard the Fanning. Thank you for your love of history, even though sometimes we may disagree, my appreciation and respect for you is greater than any such disagreement

[@skyden24195]

I actually learned of the Hamilton/Burr duel via a long running "Got Milk?" commercial in which a man, obsessed with the duel, (comically shown surrounded by memorabilia of the duel and combatants, including an encased flintlock pistol sized metal ball marked, "the bullet") has a chance to win a radio-phone contest if he can name the person who shot Alexander Hamilton. The man, who had just bitten into a very thick brownie then suddenly receives the radio station's phone call, cannot clearly answer the question due his brownie filled mouth and loses his opportunity to win the prize. The add ending with the iconic quote, "Got milk?"

[@sptownsend999]

It's crazy to me how society has forgotten that there used to be two options when you got offended: risk your neck for something trivial, or forgive and live. Now-a-days, society mainly sees being petty as the only option.

[@jimsedlacek4897]

Given the Christian ethos of the day, being called a fool was paramount to extreme slander. Matt 5:22.

[@nickpaine]

I live on Decatur Street. I always think off Rhett Butler telling Scarlet that her husband, Old Whiskers, Mr. Kennedy, lay dead, shot thru the head, out on Decatur Road, after joining a party to shake out the rabble there. My life lacks excitement.

[@j.dragon651]

you just made ours more exciting.

[@DeanStephen]

Thank you, from Decatur, Illinois.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Good morning History Guy and everyone watching. Another great story of Naval History. Having served on 5 US Navy ships and sailing on most of the world's oceans and Seas around the world during my 21 years of Naval service.

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Flyboy here but I like the Navy history just as much. Thanks for your service.

[@ST-ff1zd]

Thank you from an old nurse. I can't even imagine what all that was like.

[@la_old_salt2241]

RetiredSailor, check out the Naval Order of the United States. You might be interested. God bless, Rob, USNR 1987-1995

[@seminolewar]

In 1841, Leigh Read, Florida Speaker of the House, was killed in the streets of Tallahassee. By the brother of a man that Read had killed in a duel. That was the end of a string of duels that had happened the previous 5 years.

[@davisfarm9]

Our ancestor, Decatur Gillikin of Eastern N.C., a legend of strength and an unbeatable pugilist in the mid of the 19th century, was named for this heroic Decatur. 😊 I'll be passing this history lesson along to our children and grandchildren! Thanks, History Guy!

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

My grandparents emigrated to the United States 101 years ago this August on a ship also named the United States (not this one thankfully) that was owned by Scandinavian-American lines.

[@robertweldon7909]

Having been a Navy man, along with other family members, any Naval history (not sea stories, though some are true) is of great interest to me. Then when the historical account conveyed is as rich, comprehensive, and interesting as this, I have actually little more to say, except this, I wish I could give more than one thumbs up, and Old Muttley (on the left) Gives you a proper (right handed) snappy salute. ;-)

[@la_old_salt2241]

Robert, check into the Naval Order of the United States. You may be interested. God bless, Rob, USNR 1987-1995

[@susanandtimrice5265]

I grew up in Bladensburg MD and visited the "Dueling Grounds" several times. The famous duel is written about in town history books along with the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. Thanks. Tim

[@TD-np6ze]

I also grew up nearby. Always so happy to see Bladensburg Cross landmark - it would be great to learn the history of it!

[@HairHoFla]

Legend has it the Decatur house in Washington DC is haunted...but I never saw it...grew up nearby in a Virginia town you're probably familiar with..Falls Church

[@gregorygeorge924]

Our town and the streets are named after the heroes of the Barbary wars. Both Barron and Decatur streets are a half block away and I live on Somers. So of course I read alot about it. But I never heard anything about the duel

[@PaulGAckerman]

I just started and paused this. I am so looking forward to seeingvthis after learning about Decatur's actions during the Barbary Wsrs from The Fat Electrician.

[@dangreene3895]

My Country right or wrong my Country , A quote attributed to Steven Decatur . I was raised in Decatur Alabama and that quote was on the front page of our local newspaper everyday . A nice sentiment, but one sadly I can't no longer support , because my country has done way to many things wrong lately ..

[@jaydunno8266]

It was from a toast he made. I believe the full quote is "To the United States of America, may she always be right, but my country right or wrong."

[@j.dragon651]

you can't win em all.

[@conradnelson5283]

The actions are temporary Right or wrong. The country is permanent..

[@dangreene3895]

@@conradnelson5283 What kind of version of the country is the question . Russia exist China exist , Cuba exist , but are those the kind of Countries you would want to live in ?

[@robertartiga7]

The complete quote is " To the United States of America may she in her intercourse with other nations always be right but my country right or wrong."

[@richardhoff1626]

Thank you for this THG, as always. I always love when people say "Well back in my day, we were so proper and had high values." This is not always true. It is just that now we have more access and information about others. Case in point is that if the head of the navy has to tell his officers that an alternative to dueling is needed, I am not thinking these are among the most virtuous of people.

[@gotsloco1810]

My dad often describe himself as an Officer and Gentleman by act of Congress.

[@jefffirefighter12106]

My hometown is named after Stephen Decatur, Decatur Michigan.

[@brucelipsitz7545]

I live near the CITY of Decatur, GA. The City of Decatur is in DeKalb County, part of metro Atlanta. The City of Bainbridge and Decatur County are in southwest Georgia.

[@yellowgut]

What a great, yet tragic story.

[@francislarv3012]

While on this topic- can anyone verify my memory of reading decades ago in Smithsonian Magazine that Hamilton’s pistol was found to have a hair-trigger which was considered dishonorable - and may have caused his death because it fired before he fully raised the pistol

[@dennisweaver3907]

Back then we didn't have sports "heroes" or movie stars. We had naval heroes. Many many cities in US have a Decatur Street.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Sadly, many have not learned the lessons of these men.That this is the wrong way to settle differences. Unfortunately, the tools of choice tend to be a lot more lethal than the dueling pistols of old. It is tragic that friendships had to end in bloodshed. 😢 I doubt many daily Commuters have any clue about the guy the Commodore Barry Bridge is named for?🤷🏽‍♂️

[@majcorbin]

I deeply enjoy and appreciate all your episodes

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. My US Navy friends never mentioned this history.

[@minuteofcan]

We should bring back dueling! Nearly had my own recently. Love your channel.

[@jonathanhill6064]

great episode, lots of things i did not know. more on usa and sweden vs tripoli please.

[@TD-np6ze]

More on early settlement by Swedes along the Delaware River in what are now the states of PA and DE. When the Swedish Royals were on tour in USA recently, they visited many of these places

[@pitsnipe5559]

Always look forward to your videos on naval history.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@glencrandall7051]

Thank you for sharing.🙂🙂

[@chrissherer2047]

Another great presentation.

[@Coltbreath]

Thank You History Guy!

[@squint04]

Your work is for the ages sir!! Keep on keeping on!!

[@mhick3333]

Great presentation

[@mikenixon2401]

Good presentation, as usual. @thehistoryguy wasn't there once an island in the Mississippi River near St. Louis that was known to be the place for duels? Do you think that may be worth an edition? Thank you.

[@clintballard521]

Shout out from Lake City, AR

[@FryingTiger]

I drive through Decatur, MI and Bainbridge Township, MI pretty regularly.

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Good Friday morning fellow classmates. Put your newspapers down, grab your cup of coffee, put your feet up and enjoy THG's Friday lesson.

[@JeffreyGlover65]

Mark me present...😎

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

@@JeffreyGlover65 You grabbed a front row seat . . . NICE!

[@RetiredSailor60]

Bright eyed and bushy tail and ready for class...

[@mikenixon2401]

Nice instruction. I like it as it is welcoming. Thanks.

[@theMemo-1]

Present!

[@CaptainJerry-]

Stephen Decatur, Great name for a great man!

[@metacouture]

Mr. Guy, I wish you many blessings for your work, and for your kindness ~ stefan

[@ThomasEJohnson]

This is history that I was not aware of. Sad that this happened.

[@rustyrideon]

Thank you

[@georgemckenna462]

Any record on the fate of the four crewmen who had deserted the British Navy and enlisted on the American Chesapeake????

[@silent1967]

Back in the day when one should choose their words carefully.

[@mikey-wl2jt]

I'd hope that we would still do so without the prospect of death to enforce civility

[@seminolewar]

Decatur was one of the few people who was able to restrain Andrew Jackson.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

I find it so interesting what the "norms" were to settle disputes, especially if one's honor or reputation was at stake back 200 plus years ago! Dueling was a practice that today is seen as senseless here in modern societies. However, "Honor killings" still go on to this day by other cultures and religious faiths. Disrespect does cause some people to overreact emotionally and feel they need to teach someone a "lesson" regardless of it being violent. I always was wonder if Decatur hadn't been killed in a duel how long the practice would have continued? Enjoyed the video!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

What? You keep saying this and I keep wondering what you are on about. Is 'Back in the Saddle Again Naturally' a saying from somewhere?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@CathodeRayNipplez Next week remind me and I'll tell you. Most people here already know. Have a great weekend

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@constipatedinsincity4424 You need a week to figure it out? Geez it's much more complicated than I gave it credit. OK, good luck with it, please don't blow a valve trying to sort it. Look forward to the answer next week.

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Challenging six officers to duel in one day. A regular D’Artagnan.

[@RobCardIV]

ty

[@-.Steven]

Wow! 204 years ago today, Thanks for reminding!

[@heathrunyon4036]

Grew up in Decatur, Il.

[@spoosieoopsie1616]

When I lived in Austin (Texas), I would drive through Decatur to get to Wichita Falls to visit my parents.

[@fierceperedur]

I had heard that Barron was given a handicap because he was shortsighted and didn't have to pace as far before he turned and shot. It's so sad anyway. Especially for Mrs. Decatur.

[@ZhatFatScav]

Hey, question, do you do videos about the Napoleonic era too? I'm trying to find information on a military group from the kingdom of Prussia but everywhere I go I get sent to information about a WWII era group of the same name. I'm trying to find all information I can dig up about the Lutzowsche Freikorps (Lutzow's Free Korps). I was hoping you could help me out.

[@williammurray1341]

My great several times William Crawford (Secretary of War,, Secretary of the Treasury, and candidate for President in 1824) was involved in 2 confirmed and 1 probable duels in Georgia.

[@00kt86]

USS Decatur DDG-31 1978-'79 STG

[@johnnolan2557]

I went to sd boot camp in 1986. Decatur from the north east was in that company. There was a storm,and it knock down the decatur street sign. I picked it up, and gave it to him.

[@shawnharrington9548]

Makes me want to watch The Duelists again.

[@ELCADAROSA]

The Commodore Barry Bridge in Philadelphia is named after the mentioned Commodore John Barry.

[@167curly]

I have read that duelling often became addictive in days past.

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Not for the losers.

[@paramounttechnicalconsulti5219]

There's a statue of Commodore Barry in Wexford, Ireland. I believe he was born there

[@theidahotraveler]

Watching this at 5:14 am in Northern California thank you sir

[@eddenoy321]

Me too. Woke up at midnight so.....

[@mar4kl]

Sad story, but at least the lesson was learned, although belatedly. The only dueling I am in favor of is dual monitors! (Hmm, that works better as an oral pun.)

[@Utoobeedoo]

Are the pistols in the photo the very ones used? Was wondering because if so, they were likely converted to percussion later. Flintlocks were still very much the norm in 1820.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Those pistols belonged to James Barron and are in the collection of the US Naval Academy.

[@robertkavanaugh1738]

I went Steven Decatur elementary school. I had no idea he died in a duel😊

[@Hoopaball]

RIP

[@hlynnkeith9334]

The threat of duels among junior officers of the Navy caused Edward Preble, commodore of the US Navy's Mediterranean squadron, to issue a standing order to forbid the practice until the squadron returned home.

[@nukelaloosh4795]

my dad grew up on decatur avenue in the bronx

[@eddenoy321]

There seems to be a Decatur St. in every major city. It's famous in New Orleans and there is one in Vegas as well.

[@pughoneycutt1986]

Dueling happens all the time today. Any time that 2 people meet at the agreed upon place, at the agreed upon time, with the agreed upon weapons to settle their differences that is a duel whether it is reported as a duel or not.

[@mikey-wl2jt]

and that happens "all the time?"

[@pughoneycutt1986]

@@mikey-wl2jt yes in every state in the United States. I personally knew a man who fought 2 duels, killed his opponent both times. The D.A.charged him with first degree murder both times. The jury found him not guilty both times, because his opponent had a gun and was shooting at him. If he had been charged with violating anti dueling law. Guilty no way out. Since it happens all the time anyway I believe that we need a strict legal dueling code to deal with it.

[@pughoneycutt1986]

@mikey-wl2jt yes it happens all the time. I replied at length earlier but it got censored

[@MAOofDC]

I went to Steven Decatur Middle School.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

What were the schools on the left and right of middle called?

[@MAOofDC]

@@CathodeRayNipplez in Prince George's County Maryland which is where I went to grade school. Elementary School was grades 1st-6th. Middle School was 7th-8th and High School was 9-12th. The county used to have before I was born Junior High Schools which was 7th-9th grade.

[@susanestes4905]

I am wondering if you are familiar with a book Confederates Downeast by Mason Philip-Smith. Maine soil and shores incurred some very interesting activities during the American Civil War.

[@eze417]

Just a minute here. Was the Brit warship named Leopard or Leopold?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Leopard. I apologize for misstating at one point.

[@eze417]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel No problem. Thanks for clearing it up.

[@frustrateduser9933]

Heh, I saw the title & thought it was abt a Rust Belt city's decline.

[@bethmcc8153]

What about the "Got Milk" commercial? that predates the musical

[@seanmccann8368]

"This is the ship Alliance of Philadelphia town, she boldly bids defiance to englands king and crown!"

[@sandrasmith7091]

I just always thought duels were stupid, senseless ego, some form of manly honor. Guess they didn't learn forgiveness growing up. Sometimes the most honorable are the ones who solve a bad situation.

[@bigsarge2085]

👍👍

[@jkilby27able]

👍👍👍

[@211212112]

Old Smokers? Aomeone been watching Water Workd.

[@jeffbangkok]

Good night

[@edwardhayes6111]

Bainbridge did not do enough to abort the duel after an opportunity presented itself. Perhaps he had his own motive.

[@andreweden9405]

The "Leopold"?😂

[@danwallach8826]

At first, he said HMS Leopard, then Leopold. Then, he said Leopold again. And then, Leopard. Amid all that, I forgot why Barron challenged Decatur in the first place.

[@edwardmiller9611]

Bring back dueling for men of honor.

[@thispandaispurple]

The conquerer or the barbary pirates.

[@merlinwizard1000]

38th, 22 March 2024

[@user-uf5nv5cb3b]

Leopard or Leopold? I think She was the Leopard.

[@william6223]

We need to bring back dueling and having spittoons. Dueling should be away from public, like in between states... Spittoons...what more needs said?

[@mnoliberal7335]

What a waste. How about agreeing on a less lethal playground game? A one-on-one game of dodgeball-- each man gets five rocks, any size, to hold in one hand. And the first man hit by another, injured or not is the loser. Coin toss eligible.

[@Yakomoe]

That's a child's game. These where men. It looks strange because there are so few men today.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

🇺🇸

[@MacFinn-wp2vn]

No offence, History Dude, but I can think of a lot of good stories that don''t involve pirates, or even privateers, for that matter.

[@ray.shoesmith]

The United States Ship United States. No one ever said Americans dont have a grasp on English.

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

130th

[@scottbivins4758]

In 1814 we took a little trip with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississippi oh wait wrong war 🤣🤣🤣 my bad

[@lawrenrich-nf3ni]

👎

[@mikey-wl2jt]

seenow, this is what i mean when i talk about toxic masculinity.

[@andywomack3414]

I suppose this incident and others like it can be attributed to toxic masculinity.

[@tedwoods2051]

Enjoy every one of your work sir but unfortunately somebody needs to teach this lesson to the gang bangerz out there right now

[@schaind11]

He also "happened" to be black, like founding fathers.

[@mikey-wl2jt]

🙄