The Lincoln County herald., 1868-12-03
The Dsel Between 0en. Jackssn aul
Ne. 1lckAfaAn.

~ V0Va OVSWOVo VU0e OoVADVo 000
Ne. Dickerssn.
The following details Of the dusl bs.
tween Andrew jackson and Mr.. Dicker.
son were related BY Dr.. james Overton,
au old resident Of Tennessee, recently
deceased. Gen. Jssksoa was never com.
municative on the subject Of the duel,
and the Doctor related it % hs heard II
from his own uncle, Gen. Thomas Over
ton, . nsighbor and bosom friend, q we'll
O. second In this affair, Of Old Hickory.
Gcu. jackson and Dickersou's father
iu.law, named Erwin, had some nisun.
derstanding, prosbiy about hsrses and
horse.racing. Tho son .in.law (Dicker.
san) undertook to resent the affront. He,
already good shot, repaired to Matches,
and spent there six months, bis chief
employment being practice with . pistol.
Returning 70 Nashville, Diekssson dis.
patched one Of his friends TO Jackson,
with letter extremely abusive Of tic
General, and rejecting on the virtue Of
his beloved wife.
The messenger stated that If the Gen
sral would not reply with challenge, the
letter would bs published in the news
papers. The challenge was sent. Col.
Archibald Ovsrtsn, who was . brother
TO the relator Of these particulars, and
who at that time studied law in General
Jackson's Office. saw the letter of instruc.
tion given to the Generals second, Gen.
Thomas Overton. Il concluded in these
words: "Accept no apology; nothing
but his blood will satisfy mo-"
Time and place were appointed, and
the affair IL seems was we'll known in
Nashville for, among other things to
give it publicity, Dickerson offered $500
O. bet that he would kill bis antagonist.
Jsckson's family had no knowledge,
whatever, Of the affair. On the appointed
day, Gen. Jackson and Overton, without
saying . word, or creating any suspicion
about the aim Of their journey, started
for the rendezvous. Dickerson and his
second, Dr.. Cattal, we're not On the
ground, and they waited o considerable
time before they arrived. Gen. 0verton,
whs was as impelious as Cesar, and a.
stormy as tempest, walked up 10 receive
them: "Gentlemen, Why did you wait
SO long; or Is it your manners to let old
men wait for young ones ?"
His policy was to confuse Dickerson,
but be could not succeed. "Dickcrson
was ous Of the brsvcst Of men, and his
handling Of the pistol tho most skillful
I have ever seen, " were the words Of Gen.
Overton, which assertion. coming from
one who passed through the seven years
Of the Revolution without . furlough,
and who, On account Of the unjust a..
tacks upon his friend, forever hated the
man, goes far to establish the unquestion-
able bravery Of Jacl<son's opponent.
Tho next policy Of Gen. Overton was
to gain the power Of giving the word,
and tho third to extract Dickerson's FIRST
fire. To guard against Gen. Jacksen's s
firing too soon, it was agreed that his
double.spring pistol should not be sprung
Gen. Overton threw up-who, accord.
ing to his own acknowledgment, could at
pleasure turn up head or tail. The lot
Of giving command naturally fell upon
him, and lie ordered the two antagonists
to their respective pegs. The terms
we're: ITO stand with hands down, and
arms close to the body until the word
ars." While in expectation for the
word, Gen. Overtou saw, or imagined,
that Dickerson, who seemed very anxious
to fire, moved his right arm; whereupon
hs stepped up to him, took hold Of both
his arms, and in . stsutorian voice ex.
claimed: "Mr, Dickersou. keen vour
arms still, sir, and remember the terms Of
the duel" Then he quickly gave the
word. Dickerson 6rsd, end Gen. Over.
ton knew his principle was wounded, bc-
cause no saw the dust dy from bis coat.
Jackson, after aiming, instantly cried
out, General, ! cannot spring my pistoll''''
Whsrsupon the latter, more vshomsn,
than ever, turned upon him With "Spring
your, trigger, G-dd-nit" Jaeksou
did 30, and Diekerson was shot dead.
Many ysa,s after, Dr.. Overton asked
bis uncle, Gen. Overton, whether Dicker.
son really moved his arm, or he oaly i'm
sgined Il movedP The old man, upor
his honor, declared that he could not tell
"And Why did you use such Ihasssgs
toward Gen. Jackson ?" The answer Of
the old soldier wss that, according to per-
sonal experience, wounded man does no,
for few seconds feel his hurt 10 much q,
TO disable him to master his actions !; bul
IL these fov seconds. psss BY, the ehsnc,
Of retaliation il over. He wanted, with
biz stormipg. to awaken oil Jaekson'l
energiss. ae!-. .s,G.
A Ew years before Gen. Jaeksonl
death, Dr.. Overtop happened 10 ride with
him 10 bis buggy ffp4 Tyree Springs h
Nashville. On The road: they were con
vsrsing sbout tAis dusl With Dieksrsou
and the old hero uncovered his. bosom u
show tho wound received In the sncoun
tor. "Why, Gsssrai, Il sssns'ts nsIyo,
must have stoed very badly to rsesiv'
such . wound" remarked the Doctor
The old man bseans SILENT and did no
reour any more = The subject. "
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