The Virginia Gazette

By a Correspondent from Athlone, we learn that a few Days past a Duel was fought there between Lieutenant Colonel Pigott and Major Bruce of the 28th Regiment, and we hear the slight Occasion which gave Rise to the following fatal Result was no more than the latter telling the former he was an Egyptian. In Consequence of this Expression the Colonel demanded an Explanation, which the other refused, telling him he was at Liberty to put on the Word whatever Construction he thought proper; a Term which, between Men of Honour, is always considered as a Challenge. It was therefore understood as such; and the two Gentlemen, with their Seconds, met on the Ground. Captain Orto, who was the Colonel's Friend, demanded from Lieutenant Sutherland, who was the Major's Friend, what Explanation Mr. Bruce chose to give of the Expression he made Use of at the Mess. The Major made Answer, that by the Word Egyptian he intended to have it understood as a Person of grovelling and mean Principles. The two Gentlemen then took their respective Stands. Colonel Pigott firing first, his Ball struck against the fourth Rib on Major Bruce's right Side, and breaking the Bone, forced its Way, with Part of his Clothes and Shirt, into the Body, where it penetrated too far to be extracted, and he was afterwards, by the Surgeon, deemed past all Hopes of Recovery. When the Major received the Shot, he staggered forwards; and his Pistol, either by Design or Accident, going off, the Ball struck on the Inside of Colonel Pigott's Wrist, and from thence directing its Course to the fleshy Part of the Arm, just grazed the Skin, and made its Lodgment about two Inches below the Armpit on the Outside, from whence it has since been extracted, without any dangerous Symptoms.