The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-07-25

crihe to him. Inc iOLOWln9 Ietter lIolh
the Hon. Thomas II. Benton, who for eau
SEES best known to himself, has, from being
an enemy, become an ardent supporter OF
the Generals elevation to the Presidency,
narrates a transaction of darker hue, and
deeper malignity, than the opposers of
Gen. jackson would ,ciltangty ascribe to him.
FRAsKLlE, Tenn. Sept 10, 1873
A difference which had been for some months
brewing between General Jackson and myself,
produced on Saturday, the 4th inst. in the town
of Nashville, the most outrageous atfray ever
witnessed in a civilized country. In-.commu-
nicating this affair. to my friends and fellow
citizens, limit myself to the statement OF
few facts, the truth of which am ready to- cs-
tablish by judicial proofs.
1. That myself and my brother, Jesse Ben
ton, arriving in Nashville on the morning OF
the affray, and knowing of Gen Jacksnn's
threats, went and took our lodgings in a diifer-
ent house from the one in which he staid, on
purpose to avoid him.
g That the General and some OF his
friends came to the house where we had put
up, and commenced the attack by dwelling
| pistol at me, when had no weapon drawn,
/ and advancing upon me at quick pace, with
out giving me time to draw one.
3. That seeing this, my brother fired upon
! Gen. jackson, when he had got within eight
or ten feet of me-
a. That four other pistols were fired in
| quick succession; one by Gen. Jackson at me /;
two by me at the General; and one by Col.
| Coffee at me. In the course of this firing
! Gen. jackson was brought to the ground /; but
received no hurt
5. That daggers were then drawn. Col.
Coffee and Mr.. Alexander Donaldson made at
me- and gave me five slight wounds. Captain
Hammond and Mr. Stokley Hays engaged my
brother, who being still weak from the effect
of severe wound he had lately received in a
duel, was not able to resist two men. They
E cot him down and while Captain Hammond
beat him on tho head to make hin lay still
MIR. iLava attempted to stab him, and wounded
him in both arms, as he lay on his hack parry
ing the thrusts with his naked hands. From
this situation generous hearted citizen OF
Nashville, MIR. Sumner, relieved him. Before
he came to the ground, my brother clapped 4
pistol to the breast of Mr.. Hays, to allow him
through, but it missed fire.
g. My own and my brothers. pistols carried
, two balls each; for it was our intention, il
driven to arms, TO have no chids play. The
pistols fired at mo were SO near, that theblaZG
Of the muz2le Of one of them burnt the sleeve
of my coat, and the other, aimed at my had, a
: little more Than arms length from it.
Z Capt, Carroll was to have taken part il
the affray, but was absent by the permission oil
Gen. Jackson, as he has since proved by the
Generals certificate certificate which re-
fleets know not whether honor upon the Gen
eral or upon tho Captain.
g. That this attack was made upon me il
the house were the Judge of the district, Mr.
Searey, had his lodgings! So little are the
laws and its ministers respected Norhas the
civil authority yet taken cognizauce, of thi:
horrible outrage
These facts are sufficient to fix the public
: opinion. For my own part, think it scanda
lous that such things should take place at any
| time; but particularly so at the present mo
ment, when the public service requires the ak
of all its citizens. AS for the name If cOur
age, God forbid that l should ever attempt t.
gain it by becoming a bully. Those who
know full well that would give thousant
times more for the reputation of Croghan il
, defending his post, than would for the repu
tations of all the duellists and gladiators tina
ever appeared upon the face of the earth.
THOMAS HART BENTON,
Lieut.. Col. Seth Infantry.