The Yancey-Clingman Duel
For More Information Click Here: William Yancey Thomas Clingman
Click here to see a dramatization of a duel
In 1844, William Lowndes Yancey was elected to the United States House
of Representatives to fill a vacancy and re-elected in 1845.
In Congress, his political ability and unusual oratorical gifts at once
gained recognition. Yancey delivered his
first speech on January 6, 1845, when he was selected by the Democrats
to respond to a speech by Thomas Clingman,
a Whig from North Carolina, who had opposed Texas annexation. Clingman
was offended by the tone of Yancey’s speech
and afterwards Yancey refused to clarify that he had not intended to
impugn Clingman’s honor. Clingman challenged
Yancey to a duel, and he accepted. The exchange of pistol fire occurred
in nearby Beltsville, Maryland;
neither combatant was injured.
Click Here to learn more about the details of the Yancey-Clingman duel
