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510 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
High Shoals, on the Appalachee River, in what was then Indian
Territory, was the site selected for the proposed encounter. Near the
scene of this hostile meeting, three counties today converge, viz., Wal-
ton, Morgan and Oconee. Before the duel took place, a code of rules
was agreed upon by the seconds; and, on account of the light which
these rules will serve to throw upon the history of the times, especially
in showing how affairs of honor were conducted after the arrival of the
combatants upon the scene of action, they are herewith reproduced in
full, for the better information of those interested:
Article 1. The pistols are to be smooth bore, and loaded with a
single ball by the seconds of the parties, in the presence of each other
and of the principals.
Art. 2. The distance shall be ten yards, the parties facing.
Art. 3. The seconds of each party shall place the pistol in the right
hand of his friend, cocked, with the barrel as nearly perpendicular as
possible, pointing up or down, and neither of the principals shall alter
the position of the pistol until the word of command is given.
Art. 4. The signal for a discharge shall be: "Make ready; fire,!"
At the word "fire," each party shall discharge his pistol as near as
possible after receiving the word; and should either party withhold his
fire it shall be lost.
Art. 5. A snap or a flash will be considered the same as a shot.
Art. 6. Whenever the challenger shall express himself satisfied or
shall receive a .wound, judged by the survivors mortal, or whenever the
challenge'd shall have received a wound and expresses himself satisfied,
then the contest shall cease.
Art. 7. No conversation between the parties direct.
Art. 8. To prevent the possibility of suspicion, relative to improper
wearing apparel, each party shall submit to an examination by the sec
ond of his opponent immediately before taking positions.
Art. 9. Choice of ground and the word to be decided by lot.
Art. 10. The seconds shall be properly armed to prevent a trans
gression of these rules and the interposition of any other person.
Art. 11. If either of the principals deviate from the foregoing
rules, or attempt to take any undue advantage, either or both of the sec
onds are at liberty to fire at him.
Art. 12. If either party falls, no person except the surgeon shall
be admitted until the opposite party leaves the ground.**
On December 12, 1806, according to agreement, the parties met at
the place appointed; but due to some little dispute between the seconds
as to details of arrangement, an hour elapsed beyond the time set for
the affair at high noon and it was 1 o'clock before- the belligerents
were brought face to face. In the meantime, Mr. Crawford, keyed for
combat, became restless and impatient. To quote his biographer, "he
was temperamentally unfitted for a duellist," while Clark, on the other
hand, "was a practiced fighter, thoroughly skilled in the use of weapons,
and equally courageous." Quoting still further, from this same author
ity, "The result was what might have been anticipated. Crawford
swaggered to the peg with the same degree of carelessness that he was
*Shipp: "Life of Crawford," p. 73.