[The following takes place between British troops in Canada.]
In a typical garrison duel in 1797, Lieutenant Evans of the Twenty-fourth Foot was chatting with Lieutenant Ogilvy of the Twenty-sixth, in Ogilvy’s room, after he’d gone to bed. They compared the respective merits of their respective regiments, and Evans mentioned that he thought the quality of the spruce beer served in the messes was about the same in both. Ogilvy, stung, retorted that the Twenty-sixth’s beer was infinitely better. Evans said that must mean Ogilvy was calling him a liar. Ogilvy retorted that he was indeed “a damned lying scoundrel.” The next day Evans sent asking Ogilvy to apologize. Ogilvy refused and went around saying that Evans was no gentleman.
After the first round of shots, Evans again asked for an apology, Ogilvy again refused, and they broke out another case of pistols. After this round, Evans again suggested they come to terms, Ogilvy refused, and Evans this time took careful aim and shot the scoundrel dead. The Court of the King’s Bench, Chief Justice Osgoode presiding, acquitted, and regimental honor and the equal merits of the beer were vindicated.
Source:
Holland, Barbara. “XII. Elsewhere.” Gentlemen’s Blood: A History of Dueling From Swords at Dawn to Pistols at Dusk. Bloomsbury, 2004. 228-29. Print.
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