BackCut

By Dwight McLemore
NOTE: I spend some of my time researching old newspapers for stories on edged weapon fights, crimes and duels. I found the story of this duel between Pedro Tastra and Julian Pages described in detail in the Sabine & New Orleans Delta Press of 1852. he parties assembled in late afternoon on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain. Pedro Tastra and Julian Pages had decided to settle a business dispute with cold steel. The arrangements for this duel generally followed with the protocol of the time except the parties had chosen knives as weapons. The year was 1852 and this was one of the last duels in the long bloody history of New Orleans where any excuse for a fight was good enough. As the seconds (a term used to describe assistants, referees, witnesses or in some cases-replacements) took their places, the opponents approached each

Duel to the Death

Openings for attack were few among the motions of these skilled fighters.
other. Tastra removed a large Spanish, folding-clasp knife from his belt. He took pride in the ominous clicking sound it made as he locked the Navaja big blade into place. Pages, a Creole from New Orleans, observed the light fast weapon of his opponent as he slowly withdrew a big Bowie knife from its sheath. Tastras reaction was immediate; turning to the seconds he complained that the size of his antagonists knife gave him more advantage than he had with the smaller folding weapon. To everyones astonishment, Pages smiled, stepped up and handed the Bowie over to Tastra and reached for the Navaja. Tastra relinquished his folder, balanced it in his hand, looked up and stated that he was prepared to fight.
32 Close Quarter Combat Magazine
In medieval Europe duels provided a legal method of settling disputes. By the 16th century the practice had largely ceased, but dueling with swords or pistols, often with elaborate ritual, continued unofficially in aristocratic and military circles in Europe and the US until the 20th century. In some German universities exclusive dueling clubs to settle quarrels continue to this day.

The duel began with the usual cautious circling, both appeared evenly matched in terms of physical ability and speed, followed by a series of fast engagements of combat that left both men with mangled arms and slashed ribs, but as the fight continued the sheer weight of the heavier Bowie began to affect Tastras timing. Openings for attack were few among the motions of these skilled fighters. Pages adjusted quickly to the lightweight Navaja and found his cuts just as effective as those from his massive Bowie. But, for a split second Tastra adjusted the weight of the

Bowie in his hand and dropped his guard. Pages slashed into Tastras neck severing the carotid artery. Pumping blood, Tastra staggered backward and fell, struggling on the ground. He attempted to draw a pistol, but the sudden blood loss was too much. Tastra died where he fell in well less than a minute. Pages recovered his Bowie. If there is a lesson to be learned from this foolish encounter it is to fight with the weapon youre accustomed to! Also, try to train with a weapon or simulator that is a bit heavier. It will improve your grip and your speed.