Castro-Metcalfe Duel

On the Ohio River shore near here, one of the last duels fought in Kentucky under the code duello took place on May 8, 1862, between William T. Castro, former Maysville mayor, and Col. Leonidas Metcalfe of the U.S. Army, son of former Governor Thomas Metcalfe. Colts rifles were used at 60 yards, and on the first fire Castro was mortally wounded while Metcalfe was not hit. The duel climaxed a bitter Civil War episode that began in October 1861, when Metcalfe was ordered to arrest seven men, including Castro, for aiding the Confederates. They were sent north to Union prisons and were later released, Castro in February 1862. Castro's belief that Col. Metcalfe was responsible for his arrest led him to challenge Metcalfe to a duel, which ended Castro's life.

Kentucky · United States