Duels ?

[The emperor has no clothes]

In the Roots episode last night there was a duel. I'm curious if this was how it was really done or was it just B.S. The parties drew cards , the high card was given the first shot. The other guy had to just stand there while being aimed at and shot. Then the second guy did the same. After 2 shots each if neither gave up they fought with swords. This is not how I remember reading about duels. Anybody know anything about duels ?

[Willow]

... This is not how I remember reading about duels. Anybody know anything about duels ?

I know in dueling banjos it didn't work that way.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

... This is not how I remember reading about duels. Anybody know anything about duels ?

I know in dueling banjos it didn't work that way.   

yes that was much more frightening 

[Jess from VA]

There were many variations on a theme, but I never heard of drawing cards for first shot. Whether they walked and turned, or just stood apart facing each other, both got to fire at the same moment.  The art of dueling was to shoot fast, but to take the time necessary to line up your shot.  Accuracy won far more duels than speed.  When you missed, your opponent could take five minutes to shoot;  while you squirmed (if you ran, your opponent's second, or a neutral official could shoot you), or just shoot into the air (honor having been served).
  
Those old pistols had longer barrels, but lousy sights, if any (and big round balls..... just like the participants).

Cutting cards, removing a great deal of the skill involved in duels, would have resulted in far less duels. (IMHO)

President Andy Jackson may have participated in 100 duels, and died at 78, of chronic tuberculosis, dropsy, and heart failure.  He also carried a cane and used it regularly, like Babe Ruth.    

[Patrick]

There was an actual written code for duels, but, who knows if it was actually used or at the time if some folks could read it.
But other than the normally accepted practice there was time when some would resort to alternate shots being fired. Generally the challenged was to shoot first though. I have not heard about the card thing, but, that certainly doesn't mean it didn't exist. I find that interesting.
I liked the original series but can't get interested in watching this one, maybe I should though.

[hubcapsc]

Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel...

One of the "code books" was The Art of Dueling.

Dueling became less common as the war approached.

When Senator Charles Sumner publicly insulted Senator
Andrew Butler, Butler's cousin Preston Brooks went
onto the floor of the senate and beat Sumner with
a cane.

If Internet flame wars existed back then the entire
upper class would have been wiped out. 

-Mike

[Lyonardo]

I've read historical novels where people took turns in duels, but no real historical accounts.
I've also read that many duels ended up without a shot landing, or with the combatants coming in closer until it was settled.

This might be a good question to post on Quora, where you would likely get an expert response from a real historian.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel...

One of the "code books" was The Art of Dueling.

Dueling became less common as the war approached.

When Senator Charles Sumner publicly insulted Senator
Andrew Butler, Butler's cousin Preston Brooks went
onto the floor of the senate and beat Sumner with
a cane.

If Internet flame wars existed back then the entire
upper class would have been wiped out. 

-Mike

you are probably right   What seemed strange to me about the duel on TV was that the one guy would just stand there 20 yards away and not move while the other took aim at them. I wouldn't have been a gentleman dueler. I'd have been dodging and weaving if not shooting.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've read historical novels where people took turns in duels, but no real historical accounts.
I've also read that many duels ended up without a shot landing, or with the combatants coming in closer until it was settled.

This might be a good question to post on Quora, where you would likely get an expert response from a real historian.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is Quora ?

[Jess from VA]

Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel...

, while serving as (Jefferson's) Vice President.  The actual reason for the dual is unknown (there were heated political differences, but there was more), but Gore Vidal suggested in his book that it was because Hamilton accused Burr of having sex with his own daughter.  Assuming that was not true (and nothing ever suggested it was true), Hamilton deserved to die.  

I like Burr much more than Hamilton (he should never have been put on US currency).  

[hubcapsc]

What seemed strange to me about the duel on TV was that the one guy would just stand there 20 yards away and not move while the other took aim at them. I wouldn't have been a gentleman dueler. I'd have been dodging and weaving if not shooting.

Oh, that wouldn't have done at all... they stood there, and it was impolite
to take more than three seconds or so to aim before you shot...

-Mike

[gabby]

 

     As information:   When the Governor of Kentucky takes his or her oath of office, THEY SWEARS THEY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A DUEL   !!!!!  Talk about antiquated people from Kentucky now   !!!!!

Just so you know since   TODAY IS KENTUCKY'S BIRTHDAY   JUNE 1

Gabby

[Gavin_Sons]

     As information:   When the Governor of Kentucky takes his or her oath of office, THEY SWEARS THEY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A DUEL   !!!!!  Talk about antiquated people from Kentucky now   !!!!!

Just so you know since   TODAY IS KENTUCKY'S BIRTHDAY   JUNE 1

Gabby

Think you're a day late Gabby

[Willow]

... What seemed strange to me about the duel on TV was that the one guy would just stand there 20 yards away and not move while the other took aim at them. I wouldn't have been a gentleman dueler. I'd have been dodging and weaving if not shooting.  

The trouble with dodging and weaving would be that with the consistent inaccuracy of the shots you were as likely to dodge into the path of the round as you were to dodge out of.  Your best bet was probably to stand exactly where the shooter was aiming and your odds were good.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

... What seemed strange to me about the duel on TV was that the one guy would just stand there 20 yards away and not move while the other took aim at them. I wouldn't have been a gentleman dueler. I'd have been dodging and weaving if not shooting.  

The trouble with dodging and weaving would be that with the consistent inaccuracy of the shots you were as likely to dodge into the path of the round as you were to dodge out of.  Your best bet was probably to stand exactly where the shooter was aiming and your odds were good.   

I thought about that. I don't think I'd be doing it out of strategy but out of a lack of courage.

[Lyonardo]

quora.com is a website where you can ask any question that could possibly pop into your mind.
You can also do this on answers.yahoo.com.
The difference with quora is that you're more likely to get professionals from around the world answering and not just random kids giving their opinion.

I've seen congressman and presidential nominees chime in on politics. Famous scientists chime in on physics questions, and top actors answering questions about the movies.

Damn, I almost sound like I'm trying to sell it, which I'm not. But it is a site I enjoy, and I bet you'd get some great answers for a question like this.

I've read historical novels where people took turns in duels, but no real historical accounts.
I've also read that many duels ended up without a shot landing, or with the combatants coming in closer until it was settled.

This might be a good question to post on Quora, where you would likely get an expert response from a real historian.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is Quora ?

[Rams]

I suspect some Hollywood writer came up with the card cutting for the drama but, now that it's been posted on the internet, it has to be factual. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

quora.com is a website where you can ask any question that could possibly pop into your mind.
You can also do this on answers.yahoo.com.
The difference with quora is that you're more likely to get professionals from around the world answering and not just random kids giving their opinion.

I've seen congressman and presidential nominees chime in on politics. Famous scientists chime in on physics questions, and top actors answering questions about the movies.

Damn, I almost sound like I'm trying to sell it, which I'm not. But it is a site I enjoy, and I bet you'd get some great answers for a question like this.

I've read historical novels where people took turns in duels, but no real historical accounts.
I've also read that many duels ended up without a shot landing, or with the combatants coming in closer until it was settled.

This might be a good question to post on Quora, where you would likely get an expert response from a real historian.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is Quora ?

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

[hubcapsc]

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

Not a fan I take it ?

[hubcapsc]

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

Not a fan I take it ?

What is the rudest thing you have ever done?

If humans had retained their tails, how different would our lives have been?

Do Southern white people discriminate against Asians?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

-Mike "I didn't really see that last question on there..."

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

Not a fan I take it ?

What is the rudest thing you have ever done?

If humans had retained their tails, how different would our lives have been?

Do Southern white people discriminate against Asians?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

-Mike "I didn't really see that last question on there..."

Thanks for the heads up. I was worried that I had been missing out on some groundbreaking info. 

[Lyonardo]

Ha, yeah. As I said, anyone can ask any question that pops into their head.
If you go in looking for crazy, you'll find it.
If you look for history or science, you'll find that instead.
But hey, if it's not your cup of tea, I'm not trying to change anybody's mind

What are the best physics thought experiments?
How were cannonballs effective against personnel?
How did the US build ships so fast in World War II?

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

Not a fan I take it ?

What is the rudest thing you have ever done?

If humans had retained their tails, how different would our lives have been?

Do Southern white people discriminate against Asians?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

-Mike "I didn't really see that last question on there..."

Thanks for the heads up. I was worried that I had been missing out on some groundbreaking info. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ha, yeah. As I said, anyone can ask any question that pops into their head.
If you go in looking for crazy, you'll find it.
If you look for history or science, you'll find that instead.
But hey, if it's not your cup of tea, I'm not trying to change anybody's mind

What are the best physics thought experiments?
How were cannonballs effective against personnel?
How did the US build ships so fast in World War II?

Thank you, I'd never heard of it. 

You were lucky.

-Mike

Not a fan I take it ?

What is the rudest thing you have ever done?

If humans had retained their tails, how different would our lives have been?

Do Southern white people discriminate against Asians?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

-Mike "I didn't really see that last question on there..."

Thanks for the heads up. I was worried that I had been missing out on some groundbreaking info. 

No worries  I'm still going to check it out.