The Duel of the Newspaper Editors Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

altbiers: Done

More
Hidden : 7/8/2012
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


After doing research and talking with some NPS historians, I believe the "Field of Honor" was located on this bank of the river. Either that is was the field on Belle Island later used as a prison camp in the Civil War.

The Players:
John Hampden Pleasants, editor of the "Whig" and the "New Compiler." 
Thomas Ritchie Jr. Ritchie was the editor of the influential "Richmond Enquirer," one of the predecessors of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, which was purchased in 1804.

Son of the founder of the Richmond Enquirer, and one of the editors after 1845; a quarrel with the Richmond Whig got so out of hand that Thomas Jr., fought a duel with, and killed, the rival editor, John Hampden Pleasants on Feb 25, 1846.

From the Brooklyn Eagle: Feb. 28, 1846,
"Bloody Recontre- a most savage and brutal personal contest took place, by appointment on Wednesday morning, in Richmond, Va. the parties were Thomas Ritichie , Jr. and John H. Pleasants both editors of rival newspapers in Richmond. The combatants were placed 100 yards apart, armed with pistols, swords and knives and advanced towards each other, firing their pistols until sufficiently near to use their blades, with which they hacked and mangled each other until they were separated. Ritchie escaped with a few slight wounds upon the face and breast; but Pleasants was horribly mutilated and received a terrible gash in the abdomen, which it is supposed will prove mortal. Ritchie fled to Washington the same day."

Unknown to Ritchie at the time, Pleasants had no intention of killing him and had unloaded his pistol before the encounter. Accounts state he had been wounded in the left side of the thorax, two balls in his left arm, another in the left hand, one in his privates and one shot near his gluteous maximus. None of the wounds in themselves were serious, but due to the number- there was little hope. Pleasants last words were- "What a damned immolation this is to be such slaves to public opinion."
Thomas Ritchie, Jr. was taken to trial for murder but was acquitted without the jury leaving the box.

It is said that Richtie was "cursed by strong drink" and it was a habit with him long before the duel, and it was also said he forever after the duel carried "the mark of Cain" and was a "doomed man." He went to Tennessee to practice law and died in 1854. It was said he regretted "the longest day of my life," and began to drink more heavily.

In Hollywood Cemetary

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vs lbh pna znxr vg gb tebhaq mreb, vg vf na rnfl svaq. Rlr yriry unatvat pnzzbrq jngre obggyr va gerr ol rqtr bs evire.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us