The Ouachita Telegraph - Smith-Bradford Duel

Date: Mar. 2004
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 



The Ouachita Telegraph
October 25, 1866
Page 2, Column 1

  We exceedingly regret to learn that a difficulty occurred a few days ago at
Lake Providence, between Capt. Geo. W. Smith and J.B. Bradford, Esq., in
which the latter gentleman was shot through the body with a pistol ball and
died from the effects of the wound a short time afterwards.  We have no
comments to make in reference to this sad affair as the particulars will
probably soon undergo judicial investigation. 97 [Carroll Record.
  The parties here spoken of are both well known in this portion of the
State, the former by his Confederate sobriquet of "Dog" Smith, so called
from his having used dogs to run down conscripts and deserters, and the
latter as Capt. Bradford, who had two deserters executed in Jackson parish
without trial, but under orders, as he alleged, from Gen. Taylor.

  The difficulty, we hear, originated in Smith's charging Bradford five
dollars for the privilege of crossing a bridge built by Smith.  Bradford
understood the privilege would last some considerable time, but it seems
Smith's lease expired soon after the payment referred to.  Bradford called
upon Smith, who is keeping a wharfboat at Lake Providence, for an
explanation.  The conversation ended, we have not heard how, Bradford turned
to walk off, when Smith did the execution recorded above.  Such is the
account which has reached Monroe.

#  #  #