In post-bellum Richmond, newspapers were feisty and a gentleman's honor was defended quickly and directly. The Enquirer was angling for a lush government printing contract, and the rival Examiner pointedly remarked that in its pursuit, Enquirer had acquired the most precious of all assets for such a venture, "a man who knows how to make public printer's accounts so that a dollar of real service will produce ten dollars in pay."

Henry Rives Pollard of the Enquirer took strong exception to this characterization. An exchange ensued, and a few days later, shortly after two in the afternoon of Friday, January 5, 1866, Pollard was in the Rotunda of the Statehouse. The door to the House Chamber opened, and the publishers of the Examiner, Nathaniel Tyler and William D. Coleman emerged, in the company of Mr. Marshall of Fauquier County.

Pollard advanced angrily, waving a cane. Marshall attempted to restrain him, but he shook free, darted behind the statue of George Washington, and drew a pistol, as had Coleman and Tyler.

Shots were fired. "...all went high, and they did not injure anyone. One ... struck the tassel of the cane in the hand of Houdon's statue ... tassel picked up by Supt. Public Buildings and he will endeavor to replace it."

The three were immediately taken in custody by the sergeant-at-arms and brought before the House, where they were the subjects of “no little indignation on the part of the members.”

Ultimately, only Pollard was reprimanded. Interestingly, he was shot to death from ambush two years late by a man named James Grant, defending the honor of his sister against articles written by Pollard; Grant was acquitted by a jury after just forty minutes of deliberations.

(Dave Sagarin; Sources:“Richmond, the Story of a City” by Virginius Dabney, University Press of Virginia, 1992. Quotes from the Richmond Dispatch, Jan. 6, 1866)