Veteran Bio

The following is extracted from a letter written by S. M. Frazier in October, 1836 and published on pages 481, 482, Volume l of the Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar.

"A report reached here yesterday of a duel fought at Velasco, between Maj. Jas. W. Tinsley, from New York, of Sherman's Cavalry and Maj. (George) Stiles from Baltimore, of the Regular Infantry, in which the former was mortally and the latter dangerously wounded. -- These events are too frequent occurence here of late."

Major Tinsley killed Eugenio Navarro and was himself killed by Navarro in a duel at San Antonio. William Tinsley was appointed administrator of his estate. John J. Linn on page 345 of his Reminiscences of Fifty Years in Texas had the following to say about the duel:

"There was a Major Tinsley, who fought at San Jacinto and afterwards went to San Antonio to reside. He had the reputation of being a gentleman and a gallant and brave fellow. Soon after his arrival in San Antonio some malicious person shaved the tail of his horse. Without cause, Tinsley accused (Eugenio) Navarro, a respectable merchant of the city and a brother of Antonio Navarro, of the misdemeanor.

"Navarro promptly and unequivocally denied the accusation, and Tinsley departed apparently satisfied, but soon returned and renewed the charge in more emphatic terms, and volunteered a little gratuitous abuse in addition thereto.

"Navarro stated that he had done all that a gentleman could offer in the premises, denied the accusation, and concluded by ordering Tinsley off his premises. Tinsley drew a knife and stabbed at Navarro, who, avoiding the stroke, seized a knife that lay on the counter and plunged it into Tinsley, who, though mortally wounded, with a determination evincing a will-power truly wonderful, drew a pistol and fired upon Navarro who fell and died in a few minutes. Tinsley was borne to his room, but died before reaching it."

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