What follows is
from Augustus Baldwin Longstreet’s 1835 volume, “Georgia scenes, Characters,
Incidents.”
This volume of reminiscences
from Longstreet, who would go on to become a lawyer, state superior court judge,
Methodist minister and president of the colleges of Emory, Centenary, the University
of Mississippi and the University of South Carolina tells of a common scene in
the early days of the Southern US of A [and I can vouch for the spirit holding
true though my own Southern youth.]
No less a personage
than fellow Southerner Edgar Allan Poe remarked of this account of a Fight “Although
involving some horrible and disgusting details of southern barbarity it is a
sketch unsurpassed in dramatic vigor, and in the vivid truth to nature.”
[Longstreet sets
the scene.]
“In the
younger days of the Republic there lived in the county of---- two men, who were
admitted on all hands to be the very best men and the county; which, in the
Georgia vocabulary, means they could flog any other two men in the county…”
·
Southern and Western Frontier Honor
culture is rife with such descriptions.
[Our contestants
are introduced.]
“…the
question, which had been a thousand times asked, “Which is the best man, Billy Stallions
(Stallings) or Bob Durham?” would probably never been answered.
Billy ruled the
upper battalion, and Bob the lower.
·
“Upper Battalion” refers to throwing
good hard hands.
·
The “Lower Battalion” to one who
possesses a hardy ground game.
·
In essence, we are seeing a mixed match
here, true early Frontier Rough n Tumble, i.e., Combination Men.
“The former
measured six feet and an inch in his stockings, and without a single pound of
cumbrous flesh about him, weighed a hundred eighty. The latter was an inch
shorter than his rival, and ten pounds lighter; but he was much the more active
of the two. In running and jumping he had but few equals in the county; and in
wrestling, none. In other respects they were nearly equal. Both were admirable
specimens of human nature in its finest forms. Billy's victories had generally
been achieved by the tremendous power of his blows, one of which had often
proved decisive of his battles; Bob’s, by his adroitness and bringing his
adversary to the ground. The advantage he had never failed to gain at the onset,
and, when gained, he never failed to improve it to the defeat of his adversary.”
·
The below shows us that fight hype and
opinions predate the 21st-century.
Mr. Longstreet
“The upper battalion
swore “that Billy only wanted one lick at him to knock his heart, liver, and
lights out of him; and if he got two of them, he’d knocked him into a cocked
hat.” The lower battalion retorted, “that he wouldn't have time to double his
fist before Bob would put his head where his feet ought to be; and that, by the
time he hit the ground, the meat would fly off his face so quick, that people
would think it was shook off by the fall.”
[The Challenge.]
“Bob sprang
to the store in a minute, followed by a hundred friends; for the bully of a
county never wants friends.
“Bill Stallions,”
said Bob, as he entered, “what have you been saying to my wife?”
“Is that your
wife?” inquired Billy, obviously much surprised and a little disconcerted.
“Yes, she is, and
no man shall abuse her, I don't care who he is.”
“Well,” rejoined
Billy, “it ain’t worth while to go over it; I've said enough for a fight: and,
if you'll step out, we'll settle it!”
“Billy,” said
Bob, “are you for a fair fight?”
“I am,” comma said Billy. “I've heard much of
your manhood, and I believe I’m a better man than you are. If you will go into a
ring with me, we can settle the dispute.”
“Choose your
friends,” said Bob; “make your ring, and I’ll be in with mine as soon as you
will.”
·
Rough n Tumble rings were literally
rings of men surrounding the venture to get a good view of the proceedings.
[In Part 2, available
to newsletter subscribers only—Want in on that? Why not? It’s free. You can subscribe
here.
In 2026, we are
turning up The Frontier Rough n Trumble Combat Heat!
·
The Final Block [The 6th] of
Unleaded Combination Man Combat Conditioning will be released just in
time for New Year’s Resolutions and give you a head start of trimming down and
firmin’ up for the Summer.
·
The Rough n Tumble
Upper & Lower Battalion Arsenal goes into the
works!
·
And did I hear someone say TOMAHAWK!
·
More to come!
As for Training Materials Historically Accurate, Scientifically Examined,
and Viciously Verified in the Comancheria Living Laboratory, well, see the following
resources!
Resources for
Livin’ the Warrior Life
The Black Box
Store
https://www.extremeselfprotection.com/
The Indigenous
Ability Blog
https://indigenousability.blogspot.com/
The Rough ‘n’
Tumble Raconteur Podcast
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