May 24, 1864 - Johnson the Canadian vs. Rochester Bardwell; bare-knuckle boxing in Nashville
"Great Battle in Germantown."
Considerable maneuvering and chaffering has been going on in the neighborhood
of the mule pens, between the friends of J. W. Johnson, the Canadian
bruiser, on the one part, and those of Lewis P. Bardwell, of Rochester, New
York, on the other, concerning the respective merits of their champions. To settle
the dispute amicably, we are informed that a fight was agreed upon, to take
place on Tuesday, the 24th inst., in the northern part of Germantown, when and
where those in the secret assembled to witness the sport, of which a looker-on
gives the following account:
ROUND 1. Johnson squared off for the first blow, but Bardwell dodged him,
and put in a well-directed left hander.
2. Bardwell came up in fine style, and gave his opponent some heavy blows,
but struck too high.
3. Johnson tapped Bardwell's claret, which flowed freely from his sneezing
apparatus.
4. Bardwell got the advantage, and kept it to the finish, notwithstanding
Johnson showed himself game, and made a good fight. In the tenth round the
seconds separated them, they having clinched, and the eleventh was so severe
that both parties were thoroughly blown. In the 12th and 13th rounds Johnson
put in some heavy licks, but in the 14th Johnson showed evident signs of weakness,
Bardwell keeping cool, and getting in a few smart blows, two or three of
which Johnson returned.
In the fifteenth round Johnson came up to the scratch in good style, though
very tired, and put in several well directed blows, one of which peeled Bardwell's
nozzle; but it was plain that the fight was up, Bardwell being quite fresh
still; and length B. got the opportunity, and throwing out a stunning blow from
the shoulder, knocked Johnson out of time.
Chicago Jack seconded the Canadian, and Bridgeport Jerry did the honors for
Bardwell.
Nashville Dispatch, May 26, 1864.