Bill Bland's posting about this duel reminded me of information sent to me by Paula Baker. SOURCE: Paula Baker NOTE: Duel of Henry Ferdinand Harris and Edward C. Yellowly. "An Affair of Honor: The Harris-Yellowly Duel" Dueling used to be a popular way to settle disputes. One duel changed the fate of two Pitt County men forever. On October 1, 1847, Henry Ferdinand Harris (b. 1814) dueled against the county legislator and lawyer Edward C. Yellowly. Yellowly apparently made some rather inappropriate comments about Harris after his 1846 election win. A higher official ordered the men to keep peace for one year. They did. However, they met at the Great Dismal Swamp Canal on October 1, 1847. Harris was killed, and Yellowly participated in another duel years later.