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_ THE GREAT PRIZE-FIGHT,
which had been the standard topic of conversation for many months in
fighting circles, and which, to confess the
truth, had occupied a large share of the attention of refined society
for the
same time, came off, according to the agreement, on Wednesday, the 7th
of
February, 1849, at Rock Point, mouth of Still Pond Creek, in Kent
County, on the eastern shore of Maryland, about 40 miles from Baltimore.
SETTING THE STAKES
_ At
ten minutes past four everything was set, and notice was given to the parties in the house that all was ready.
IN THE RING
_ Sullivan,
shortly after this summons, emerged from the house, being preceded by
one of his seconds who carried a pair of hot bricks, which were
intended for his feet while waiting for the signal to begin. As he
approached the ring his appearance was hailed with cheers, and when he
threw in his cap, which was a velvet one of a rich dark green, the most
enthusiastic
shouts were heard from his friends. He took his seat upon a chair that
was
provided for him, and with his feet upon the bricks, waited for the
entrance of
his foe. In two or three minutes more, Hyer came forth, borne on the
brawny shoulders of his friend Dutch Charley, and as he neared the
ropes, he
shyed his castor, a foggy-looking piece of felt, into the arena before
him.
Another burst of clamor then rent the sky, and amid increased
enthusiasm, each
man tied his colors to the stake. That of Hyer was the spangled ensign
of
his country, while Sullivan's was a green fogle with oval spots of
white. Both men
sat down on their seconds' knees. and confronted each other while the
final
preliminaries were arranged.
_ While
thus awaiting the summons to the ordeal, the seconds, Joe Winrow and
John Ling, the first for Hyer and the latter for Sullivan, came
forward and made the toss for choice of ground. This was won for
Sullivan, who, thereupon, reserved the corner, where he already sat,
giving to his antagonist the bright and dazzling sun directly in his
eyes. The seconds now took their corners, Tom Burns taking the place of
the captured
Thompson. Hyer's regular trainer, and Country McCleester supplying the
absence of Tom O'Donnell, on the part of Sullivan. Outside the ropes,
in waiting on the latter, was Stephen Wilson, acting as bottle holder,
and on the
other corner, similarly affixed, was the brother of the lofty champion.
At
twenty minutes past four exactly, Winrow asked the question: "Are you
ready?" "Yes," said Sullivan, rising and beginning to strip off his
outer
clothes, an operation in which he was immediately followed by Hyer, and
which was accomplished by both with the celerity of a stage
metamorphosis. In less than a minute they stood stripped to the waist,
and attired in their
neat fighting clothes. Such was the absorbing interest which held
possession
of all minds during the proceedings, that but a single bet was offered
and made. Indeed $35 was the entire amount that was wagered on the
ground, and that bet was even.
THE MEN
_ As
the antagonists stood up, all ready for the strife, there was a marked
disparity in the appearance of the men. Hyer stood six feet two and a
half inches, and Sullivan but five ten and a half. The weight of the
former, woreover, was in the close neighborhood of 185 lb., while the
avoirdupois of Sullivan was rated no higher than 155 lb., making the
difference of
thirty pounds in Hyer's favor. As to condition, both seemed equal. They
were as finely developed in every muscle as their physical capacity
could
reach, and the bounding confidence which sparkled fiercely in their
eyes,
showed that their spirits and courage were at their highest mark.
Sullivan,
with his round compact chest, formidable head, shelving flinty brows,
fierce glaring eyes, and clean-turned shoulder, looked the very
incarnation of
the spirit of mischievous genius; while Hyer, with his broad,
formidable
chest, and long muscular limbs, seemed as if he could almost trample
him out of life, at will.
THE FIGHT
_ Before
coming to the scratch, the umpire for Sullivan, asked the seconds of
his side if they intended to examine Hyer's shoes, but they declined
the formality as a matter of little consequence, upon which the word
was
given and the men came up. According to rule they were obliged to shake
hands before they began, but they performed the ceremony warily, and at
extreme arm's length. It was the business of the seconds next to do the
same, but before they could reach the scratch to go through the idle
ceremony, the eager crowd shouted them back, and they gave way at once
to the
gladiatorial show.
_ Round
1. Sullivan with his arms well up and every muscle swelling with it's
preparation, darted towards Hyer, who stood resolutely awaiting
for him with his body well forward and in formidable readiness; and
coming up to him with a sort of run, let fly with his left at Hyer's
head, but did
not get it in; he then got away from a short attempt of Hyer to counter
with his left, but Hyer followed the effort with an instant discharge
of his
right in Sullivan's forehead, which made a long abrasion on the scalp,
but which, notwithstanding the power of the blow, showed neither blood
nor
discoloration at the time. Gathering himself for a return, Sullivan then
rushed
in at the body, and after two or three ineffective exchanges clinched
his
antagonist with the underhold and struggled for the throw. This was the
great point on which was to depend the result of the fight. Sullivan
relied mainly for success upon his superior wrestling, and it was
calculated
by his friends and backers, that a few of his favorite cross-buttocks
would
break his young antagonist in his lithe and graceful waist, and not
only
render him limpsey with weakness, but stun him with the falls. The most
terrible anxiety therefore existed as to the result of this endeavor.
In its fierce agitations, the spectators, who stood in an outer ring of
plank
laid over the snow some feet distant from the ropes of the arena,
involuntarily rushed forward and swarmed against the ropes. Two or
three times did Sullivan knot his muscles with an almost superhuman
effort, but all
served only to postpone his overthrow; for when he had spent his power
by these terrible impulsions, his iron adversary wrenched him to the
ground with the upperhold, and fell heavily, prone upon his body. This
decided the largest part of the outside betting in favor of the upper
man, and
shouts of the most terrific joy went up for Hyer. The depression of
Sullivan's
friends was equal in degree, and they began to get an inkling that they
had
under-rated their opponent.
_ 2.
As soon as time was called, both men hurried to the scratch, Hyer
working to the upper slope of the ring, where stood the judges and the
referee, and thus slanting the sun between his body and that of his
opponent, instead of taking its beams directly in his eyes. As Sullivan
came up
this time, the blood from the scratch upon his forehead made crimson
confession of its severity, and elated the friends of the tall one with
shrieks of
"first blood for Hyer!" Sullivan at this hosanna rushed desperately in,
and
meeting Hyer where he paused to receive his charge, delivered a heavy
blow with his right on Hyer's left eye. taking a counter on his
opposing
ogle in return. Sullivan kept close up, and both kept striking with the
rapidity of two cocks as they fly together, rendering it almost
impossible to see
where or how the hits were discharged. It was evident, however, that
the rally had not been attended with serious effect to either side. A
feint from
Sullivan, and a dodge from Hyer, intervened; when another rally
followed, Sullivan taking in return for a couple of body blows two
severe
discharges on the left eye, by a sort of half upper cut with the right
hand, which
brought the blood again. Sullivan then rushed in and clinched; he
caught the underhold again, but efforts were nought, and he was twisted
to the ground as if he had been a man of grass, his huge antagonist
falling upon him
as before with his entire weight. Shouts for Hyer.
_ 3.
The hopes of Sullivan's friends were now fading fast, and indeed he
seemed impressed himself with the idea that he was over-matched. He
looked at his opponent with a sort of wild astonishment as he came up;
but with a desperate courage, as if conscious nothing but the most
reckless policy alone could help him, he rushed up to the scratch, and
gathering cautiously after a wicked pause, he softened his apparent
intention
with a feint, but finding Hyer would not be drawn out, he let fly right
and
left, and catching Hyer with the latter blow upon the body (some say
neck) staggered him backwards a couple of steps, and brought him to a
sitting position on the ground. The shouts now went up on Sullivan's
side, and amidst the uproarious glee he went smiling to his corner.
_ 4.
Both came up this time with the utmost alacrity, Sullivan encouraged by
his success, and Hyer showing the utmost eagerness to get even. Sullivan
hurried up, and led of without getting in, and Hyer, in his excitement,
not only returned short, but openhanded. This excited the attention of
the former's backer, who, while on the point of crying out,
"Now, you've got him, Jim," discovered that Sullivan was open-handed
too. The warning, however, brought both of them to their senses, and
made them close their fists. Hyer then hit out right and left,
executing with the
latter on the old spot, and taking a body blow in return. Sullivan then
ran in and clinched, but his hold did him no good, for he was thrown in
the
same manner as before, Hyer falling on him and laying across him for
several seconds, until his henchmen could come slowly and take him off.
Expressions of dissatisfaction here broke out from Sullivan's friends,
and
the umpire of that side claimed "foul," on the score that the upper man
was
not sooner removed. The question was put to the referee, who, however,
decided "fair."
_ 5.
Sullivan, who suffered considerably in the last round by his eagerness
to improve the advantage he had gained in the third, led off with
the same reckless spirit, and with the same desperate aim. He struck
wildly right and left at the head, but getting stopped, next tried the
body.
His incautiousness, however, received a heavy punishment in the shape
of a tremendous right-hand Paixhan on the left eye, which hit him down
upon his hand, with one knee touching the ground. Hyer rushed forward
to hit again, but checking himself, he raised his hands as if afraid of
being tempted to a foul blow, and moving backwards, turned towards his
corner. At this moment Sullivan's umpire, supposing the round at an
end, dropped his eye to his watch and started his time. It happened,
however, that as Hyer had turned away, Sullivan, apparently wild, had
risen, and recommenced the round; whereupon Hyer turned upon him, and
pressed him by main strength to the ground. While this supplementary
struggle was going on, the umpire raised his eyes, and supposing Hyer
had turned to attack Sullivan after the round had finished, as he had
marked it, called out
"foul." The character of the renewal was explained to him, however,
whereupon he withdrew his complaint.
_ 6.
Sullivan now began to show his punishment and fatigue in a slight
nervousness of his legs, but still he ran boldly up for desperate
fighting, as game as a pebble, and as resolute as if the battle was
still within his
reach. Several rapid exchanges were then made, Sullivan catching it on
the
right eye-brow, in a counter to a body hit. Hyer then fought Sullivan
to the ropes, and bent him backwards over them. Some sharp fibbing took
place, which, proving rather unpleasant to Hyer, he seized Sullivan and
threw
him and fell on him, with his arm across his neck. He remained in this
position for some moments without interference by his seconds, who saw
that it
was to his advantage, whereupon a claim of "foul" was made by
Sullivan's judge. The referee, however, decided "fair." It was likewise
claimed
that in rising Hyer had pressed improperly on Sullivan's neck, but the
claim
was not made out.
_ 7.
Sullivan, breathing short and exhibiting much fatigue, came up the same
as ever, and Hyer, as before stood on the slope to forbid his
passage one inch upon his ground. The little man, as he approached his
huge antagonist, seemed as if dispirited by the decision of the
referee, while
he was nearly spent with the severe exertions that he had made to hit
and
get away. But he hit with no effect, while the blows of his powerful
antagonist made the blood flow profusely down his face, although they
had really
less effect upon the unfortunate left eye than it seemed. Several
exchanges were made, all against Sullivan, when he rushed in and again
at his
wrestling hold, and found the ground as he had done in these close
encounters
every time before.
_ 8.
The hit in the eye which Hyer received in the second round, now showed
its colors, and puffed up with dirty pride and vanity over the
surrounding flesh. Sullivan's left eye was no better; indeed worse, and
bore many testimonials in crimson crevices of Hyer's black and long
knuckles. Sullivan again made play from the jump, but got nothing in.
As he hit
out at the body, Hyer struck short with the left, as was his custom
every
time, when he meditated mischief with his right hand, and then let go
with his dexter mawley, driving the blood out from the left eye in gory
spray,
but still not knocking his staunch opponent down. Sullivan finding that
he could not perry off these terrific hits, ran in again, but was
thrown
as before, Hyer falling on him, and lying with his breast across
Sullivan's chest,
neck, and face. Hyer's seconds were again slow in coming up to take him
off, upon which another appeal of "foul" was made to the referee, who,
however, decided "fair," though he admitted he could not see at all
times,
in consequence of the crowd getting between him and the men, and
jostling him about since the first round.
_ 9.
"Time" came around quick at this "call," as much of the thirty seconds
was consumed while the men were on the ground. Both men came up bloody
to the scratch; Sullivan being literally clotted with gore,
while the clear crimson smoked on Hyer's chest, from a lance wound
which had been made under his right eye to prevent it from closing out
his sight. He was also dabbled with the drains which ran from Sullivan,
and which painted his arms and bosom every time they closed. Sullivan
walked up to the scratch this time with a freshened vigor, and showed
the same determination as when he commenced the battle. Hyer, who was
cool and apparently unfatigued, at once saw the real condition of his
man, and concluding
that it was now time to change his tactics, led off for the first time.
The
Yankee seemed better capable of resisting this mode of warfare than
making a
successful aggression, and dodged two wicked looking blows; but in
endeavoring to return with a rush, he brought Hyer to his usual
defensive
position. He then took Sullivan's blows without wincing or endeavoring
to stop
them, being satisfied to take advantage of the right-hand counter,
which from
the first had told with such terrible effect. Sullivan rushed in again
to
save himself from punishment, and was thrown, with Hyer on him.
_ 10.
Sullivan came up with his hands open and showing distress. He led off
with ineffectual passes, which only served to provoke punishment, and
give him the return of a wicked right-handed hit in the old place,
which
staggered him to the ground.
_ 11.
Hyer, strong on his pins, respiring regularly, and evidently in
possession of all his strength. He waited for Sullivan as before, and
though
Yankee came up rather slower than before, Hyer was content to wait his
approach rather than alter a method by which he was getting on so well.
On meeting at the scratch, a few rapid hits were made, which ended in a
clinch and a wrestle to the ground, Hyer uppermost as before, but with
Sullivan's leg locked over his until he was taken off.
_ 12.
This time both men came up quick, and Sullivan led off hitting wildly
and madly right and left, while his cool antagonist, watching his
chance, took a short hit for the privilege of countering on the old
spot.
Sullivan, then rallying his energies, tried the Secor dodge, and
endeavored to
slip under Hyer with the left, on top of the head, with a round blow,
which
discharged him to the ground.
_ 13.
Up to this time all the fighting was done in Sullivan's corner, making
Hyer's boast good that he should not have an inch more than twelve feet
to do his fighting in. This round commenced by sharp exchanges right
and
left, as if they had come together for the first time. At length Hyer,
finding it was all his own way, rallied Sullivan sharply, and driving
him to the
ropes, backed him over them, and entered into a smart exchange of
fibbing. Hyer caught hold of the ropes while thus engaged, when a man
from Boston, by the name of Hennessey, seized his thumb, and bent it
backwards from its hold, whereupon Hyer let go, and clinching Sullivan,
wrenched him to the ground, and fell upon him.
_ 14.
Sullivan giving out fast; Hyer, perceiving it, entered briskly on the
offensive, fought him to the ropes, and fibbed him on them as before.
After an exchange of this kind of work, Hyer jerked him from the ropes,
and clinching, wrestled him to the ground, and fell upon him.
_ 15.
Sullivan shaky on his pins, and Hyer apparently as strong as ever. As
Sullivan came up and attempted to hit out, he slipped; Hyer rallied him
to the ropes, hitting him right and left in the pursuit, and bending
him
again over the ropes. During this struggle he caught his arm, and
bending it backward in its socket, gave it a wrench that must have
caused the most agonizing pain; he then clinched and threw him to the
ground, and fell
upon him as before.
_ 16.
When time was called, Sullivan was slow in rising from his second's
knee, and it was evident that his fighting star had set, for the day at
least. He walked in a limpsey manner towards the score, but when he put
up his left arm the tremor which shook it showed that it was distressed
by
pain. Hyer did not wait for him, but advancing beyond the score, let
fly both right and left in Sullivan's face, who, though he could not
return it,
took it without wincing in the least. Hyer then rushed him to the ropes
again, and after a short struggle there, threw him and fell heavily
upon him,
in which position Sullivan locked his leg over him again, as if he
would
hold him in his place. When he was taken off, Sullivan was found to be
entirely exhausted, and when lifted up reeled half around and staggered
backward towards the ropes. The fight was done. He could not come in
again, and one of his seconds took him from the ring, without waiting
for time to
be called. Hyer's second, as soon as this took place, advanced to take
Sullivan's colors as their trophy, but being interfered with and denied
by Ling,
Hyer rushed forward himself, and seizing Ling by the arm, enabled his
friend
to take the prize. The shouts then went up for the victor, and the
party commenced unthreading the stakes of their halyards, for the
voyage back.
_ Thus
ended a contest which had excited more interest than any other
pugilistic encounter that ever took place in this country; but which,
though it engaged thousands of minds for a period of six long months,
was done up, when once begun, in seventeen minutes and eighteen seconds.
_ The
boat soon got up sail after the battle was over, and made for Pool
Island again on their return. On arriving at that place they found the
steamer Boston still aground, and as her warlike freight came crowding
to the side, the pungees gave them three times three as a compensation
for the disappointment they had received, in neither arresting the
principals, nor getting a peep at the fight.
REMARKS
_ The
foregoing contest may be aptly termed a "hurricane fight." From the
commencement to the close it was bitter, unremitting, and
determined. On the part of Sullivan it consisted of a series of quick
and almost
super human efforts to outfight and stun his antagonist from the start,
while Hyer, who seemed to be thoroughly aware of his intent, contented
himself with standing at the scratch and forbidding any entrance to his
side,
by the tremendous counter hits which he delivered in return for
Sullivan's
rapid visitations. He did not attempt to make parrying a leading
feature of
his policy, but for the greater portion of the time cheerfully met
Sullivan's blows for a chance at countering back. He had evidently
settled upon this as his policy for the fight, judging correctly, that
if hit and
hit was to be the order of the day, the weakest structure must go to
pieces in the struggle. In addition to this, Hyer showed excellent
skill in fighting,
and his method of hitting short with the left, as a preliminary to the
Paixhan discharge of the right, in the style of a half upper cut, could
not
have been excelled in the use which he made of it, by the best hitters
who have
ever shown themselves in the prize ring. To help him still farther, he
was
cool and self-possessed, with the exception of a moment or two at the
opening of the fourth round, when he seemed either shaken by his fall,
or stung
from his control by the cheers which greeted Sullivan for the handsome
blow.
Sullivan on the other hand fought wild and eager. He did not display
that shrewdness and care which has characterized all his previous
fights, but seemed to consider himself in the ring, not so much to
decide some three hundred thousand dollars, as to revenge upon Hyer, in
the bitterest and most sudden manner, the personal hatred that stood
between them. He hurried to the scratch at every round, and commenced
leading off right
and left, and when obliged to take it more severely than he bargained
for,
invariably rushed in for a clinch, notwithstanding each succeeding
round proved more conclusively than those which had gone before, he
could not throw his man, and that these reverses invariably brought
upon him the severest punishment of all. He was twisted to the ground
invariably by the superior strength of his antagonist, and what in view
of this, was
surprising to his friends, he would resist strongly every time, instead
of
slipping down as easily as possible to save his strength. As to Hyer's
lying on him to the extent he did, there has been much dispute, and
while one
party claims it to have been a "foul," the other insists that it was a
pardonable advantage. Between these two opinions the referee decided
"fair." He decided so properly. There is no rule in "Fistiana" which
prescribes the length of time which a man may be allowed to lie upon
another between the rounds, but the common law of the ring gives to
each side the possession of their man the instant the round has ended.
Sullivan was
therefore, the property of his seconds the instant he touched the
ground, and they were entitled to him, though obliged to throw twenty
men from his body to get at him. It was natural for Hyer's seconds to
let him lie when he had the advantage, but it was the duty of
Sullivan's seconds to insist
upon their rights, and to acquaint the other side, that, if they did
not
take their man off in time, they would throw him off. This they had a
right to do, and the results of their not having done it, was, that
while Hyer,
after the struggle and throw, would repose at ease on Sullivan's body
and draw respirations of fresh atmosphere, Sullivan was crushed with
the
incumbent weight, and capable of catching only a few muffled breaths.
_ There
never was, perhaps, a battle in which there was so much fighting is so
short a space of time; none, certainly, in which more resolute
punishment was given and taken, without flinching on either side. The
history of the fight consists in the fact that Sullivan was
over-matched; and,
in the further fact that Hyer showed himself capable of matching any
man of his size and weight, doubtless, who exists in Britain or the
United
States.
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