Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-24
BENToN's DESCRIPTION OF HIS FIGHT
WITH JACKSON

FRANKLIN, TEN. Sept. 10, 1913.
difference which had been fer some months
brewing between Gen. Jackson and myself, pro.
duced on Saturday the 4th inst. in the town Of
Nashville the most outrageous ARRAY over witness
ed IN civilized country. In communicating this
affair TO my friends and fellow.citzens 1 limit N.Y.
sell to the statement of few leading facts, the
truth OF which 1 am ready to establish by judicial
proofs
l! That myself and my brother Jesse Benton ar
riving in Nashville on the morning of the ARRAY,
and knowing of General Jackson's threats went
and took our lodgings in different house from
the one in which he stayed, on purpose to avoid
him.
2. That the General and some of his friends
came to the house where ave had put up and COM
menced the attack by levelling pistol Ine ,ofS
mad no icedpon drdtcn, and advancing upon mo
at quick pace, pithout giving time to dra.c
one.
3. That seeing this, my brother fred 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 General Jackson ut me. two by
me at the General and one by Col. Coffee at me-
In the course of tbs firing Gen. Jackson was
brought to tho ground but received no hurt.
D. That daggers were then drawn. Col. Coffee
and Mr.. Alexander Donaldson made at me, and
gave me hive slight wounds Capt. Hammond aud
Mr. Stockley Hays engaged my brother who be.
ing still weak from the effect of severe wound lie
had lately received in a duel, was not able to re-
slst two men. They got him down: and while Capt
Hammond beat him ON the head to make him lay
sill, Mr.. Hays attempted to stab him. and wound.
ed him IN both arms, as he lay on his back parry
ing the thrusts with his naked hands. From this
situation generous hearted citizen of Nashville,
Mr. Sumner, relieved him. Before he came to the
ground, my brother capped pistol 20 the breast OF
Mr. Hays to blow him through; bu: it missed fire.
o. My own and my brothers pistols carried two
balls each; for it was intention, if driven to
our arms to have no chd's play. The pistols fir
ed at me were so near that the blaze sf the muz.
zle of one of them burnt the sleeve of my coat and
the other aimed at my head little more than arms
length from it.
T. Capt. Carroll was to have taken part in the
affray, but was absent by the permission of Cen
Jackson, as he has since proved by the Generals
certificate: certificate which reflects know not
whether less honor upon the General or upon tho
Captain.
3. That this attack was made upon mo in the
house where the Judge of the District, Searcy ha
his lodgings! So little are the laws and it's minis
tiers respected! Nor has the civil authority vet ia.
ken cognizance of this horrible outrage.
These facts are sufficient to fix the public OPT
Mon For my own part, think it scandalous that
such things should take place any time but par
tlcularly so at the present moment, when the pub
lie service requires the aid of all its citizens AS
for the name of courage, God forbid that should
ever attempt to gain it by becoming bully
Those who know mo, know full well that |
would give thousand times more for the reputa.
ton OF Croghdn i'll defending his posts, than
would for the regulations of all the duellisis and
gadlaters that ever appeared upon the face of the
earth. THOMAS HART BENTON
Lieut.. Col. 1914 InfanfIy.