Sick 'Em Senator Harry!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 07:41AM 
Senator Riddleberger had been a Captain in the Confederate calvary and was at Gettysburg, serving in Lee's headquarters guard. An attorney by trade, Harry became editor of a controversial newspaper in the Shenandoah, and was later author of the "Riddleberger Bill" which dealt with reparations to the State of Virginia when West Virginia was formed after the Civil War. He was also one of the founders of the Re-Adjuster party (composed mostly of freed blacks and Republicans in a region of Democrats), a short-lived political party in the years of Reconstruction. He served one term in the US Senate (1883-1889).
Senator Harry was certainly an enigma. One newspaper report describes him angrily protesting the US Senate holding a session on a Sunday--something as a Christian man he whole-heartedly opposed. To express his disgust with his fellow senators, Harry showed up to vote completely inebriated and was forcibly escorted out of the Senate chamber by the sergeant of arms.
But his most "illustrious" moment was probably the day he arranged two duels with political opponents shortly before before becoming Senator. Harry didn't like being called a "liar and a scoundrel" in an editorial. So, he sought a little frontier justice . . .
The following appeared in the NY Times (October 16, 1881):
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Riddleberger’s Two Duels
Exchanging harmless shots with Wise –
An unfought duel with Mr. Beirne.
Richmond, Va., Oct. 15 – A hostile meeting took place this afternoon, at 4 o’clock, about 10 miles from Richmond Station, between Capt. H.H. Riddleberger and the Hon. G.D. Wise. Four rounds were fired without either being hurt. Mutual explanations and amicable adjustment followed.
In yesterday’s first edition of the State there appeared an editorial, written by Richard f. Beirne, junior editor, in reference to the alleged confession of W. Leigh Wilson about the Blair letters, in the course of which Mr. Beirne denounced Capt. H.H. Riddleberger as being unworthy of belief. In the later edition of the same paper there appeared the card of the H. George D. Wise, telegraphed last night, also denouncing Capt. Riddleberger as a liar and a scoundrel. Since that time the public has been much excited, in anticipation of hostile meeting between the men named, and during today there has been much anxiety to hear news from them. At about 6 o’clock this evening Capt. Riddleberger and two friends were seen to alight from a carriage at the office of the Whig, and soon thereafter it became generally reported that he had had a meeting with both. From the best information now obtainable the following particulars are given:
Immediately upon the appearance of the paper containing Mr. Beirne’s editorial Capt. Riddleberger sent that gentleman a challenge to mortal combat, and only a short time after the second edition, with Capt. Wise’s card, made its appearance, the latter gentleman received a similar invitation from Capt. Riddleberger. All the men left the city last evening to avoid arrest, and all the arrangements were speedily made for the two affairs. Messrs. Beirne and Riddleberger, accompanied by their respective friends, met at 8 o’clock this morning, near Ashland, in Hanover County. But when everything was in readiness and the seconds proceeded to load the weapons it was found that, by an oversight of Mr. Beirne’s friends, no caps had been provided for the pistols. The result was that hostilities were, for the time, suspended, as it was impossible to obtain the necessary ammunition within any short time. Capt. Riddleberger would wait no longer and left the ground in order to fulfill the engagement he had with Capt. Wise. The place chosen for the second meeting was near the Henry County turnpike, about 10 miles from Richmond. Both men were promptly on the ground at 4 o’clock this evening. In this case nothing had been left undone or unprovided, and in a few moments the principals were placed opposite each other at a distance of 10 paces, armed with regular smooth-bore dueling pistols and prepared for deadly work. Upon the first fir Capt. Wise’s weapon snapped, but he remained unhurt by his opponent’s fire. This was followed by two other rounds, without either of the combatants being hurt. It is reported that Capt. Wise’s hat was perforated by a ball, while Capt. Riddleberger’s coat was pierced by a ball. At the end of the third round the friends of both stepped forward and declared the vindication had been ample, and that hostilities should cease. A mutual explanation was then made, and an amicable adjustment reached. Both gentlemen are reported to have behaved bravely, holding their positions without change during the whole time occupied by the three rounds. Capt. Wise was accompanied by Mr. Richard Dunlop as second and Dr. George B. Johnston as surgeon. Capt. Riddleberger’s second was Capt. A. Rogers, and his surgeon Dr. J.A. Wheat. Col. A. W. Jones, of Georgia, was with the party as referee. All the persons concerned, except Capt. Riddleberger and Col. Jones, are of this city. Capt. Riddleberger had been previously announced to address a Readjuster meeting here tonight, and he reached the city in ample time and fulfilled his engagement.
Later information is to the effect that Mr. Beirne and his second, Mr. Ryan, of the State staff, having replaced the caps which had been lost, made an attempt to have another meeting with Capt. Riddleberger, but failed. They were arrested about 3 p.m. at a point three miles from the scene of the Wise-Riddleberger encounter, where they were awaiting its result. They were each placed under $1,000 bonds to keep the peace. Capt. Wise was arrested after his fight with Riddleberger. The latter has not yet been arrested.
The New York Times
Published: October 16, 1881
Copyright The New York Times
Reader Comments (7)
Are you Richard Abanes?
[sometimes I can't help myself :)]
I live in Woodstock, Virginia, and I am trying to date a map that has people and their politcal jobs in the legend. The senator was once such listed person. This article has helped me date the map as well as give some background information about the time period. Thank you for your help.
Justin