March 12, 2012
R. J. Breckinridge once said that he felt as though there were two different RJB’s — “one that was all tenderness; and one that was all sternness.” Which RJB you experienced depended upon whether you offended his sense of honor and duty. If he discerned any subtle disrespect or innuendo against his character or honor…well, let’s just say he was from Kentucky in a generation which lost dozens of its leading young men to duels…
RJB never fought in a duel — but he was challenged to one once! There is a contemporary account from a female cousin of his who regaled her brother with a juicy “tell-all” letter. The story was published (in slightly different versions) during a pamphlet war 20 years later between RJB and his arch-nemesis (and formerly his patron) Robert Wickliffe. And then there is an account fully 35 years later from a neighbor, who recounted the story for an interviewer who was collecting stories about Kentucky.
RJB was around 22 years old when it happened. He was in Louisville attending the theatre when a young Dr. Flournoy arrived with a certain Miss Preston and her sister (who was their chaperone). Apparently RJB — or Bob, as he was called then, was considered quite a catch in those days and the chaperone Miss Preston took one of Bob’s arms. Not to be outdone, the other Miss Preston took Bob’s other arm. Bob, who had a quick wit, made some crack about how Dr. Flournoy’s ladies preferred him (the exact statement has not been preserved). Flournoy did not think this was funny at all, and the next morning he wrote a statement to Bob demanding an explanation. The details are contested at this point, but it appears that Bob did offer a brief written explanation (which according to his cousin was quite polite). Flournoy refused to accept this and demanded an apology. Bob refused and Flournoy challenged him to a duel. When Bob ignored this challenge (on the grounds that the incident was trivial and unworthy of such measures), Flournoy “posted” him a coward.
(In those days, one was “posted” a coward by the challenger printing a card which advertised the refusal, and posting it in a key place in the town — in this case outside the main tavern in Lexington.)
Bob claims that he then went out and obtained a pair of pistols — but before he had a chance to do anything about it, a note came from the local Masonic lodge (RJB, who kept every piece of correspondence, published it later to demonstrate the veracity of his claims) ordering both Flournoy and Breckinridge to appear before the committee. After examining the claims in the case, the Masons declared that there was no reason for a duel and ordered Flournoy to accept Bob’s explanation and remove his card.
There are two postscripts to this:
1) Miss Ann Sophonisba Preston married RJB the following year
2) Dr Flournoy ran for the state legislature with RJB five years later
Which points to another side of RJB: you either loved him or you hated him — and the fact that you hated him at one time did not mean that you would hate him forever (and vice versa!).
