The Van Buren press., 1868-12-01
THE DUELL0.
The Meeting Between Gen. Jasks,a end
-.Il !. Nr. Dickerson. -


The following details Of the duel be-
tween Andrew Jackson and MIR DicIeeR
son were related by DR. James Overtpn,
an old resident OF Tennessee, recently Dc
ceased. Gen Jackson was never conf
nuuicative upon the subject Of this duel
and the doctor related IL rs he hesriit
from his own uncle, Gen Thomas Over
ton. a neighbor and bosom friend. as well
AS second in this affair of Old Hickory.
Gen. Jackson aud Dickerson father.
in law, named Erwin, had some misun-
derstan,ting, probably about horses ana
horse racing The son in law (Dioker-
SOM undertook to resent the atfront He,
already u good shot repaired 10 Natchez,
aud spent there six months, his chioi
employment being practice with pistol
Returning to Nashville, Dickerson DIES
patched one of his friends to Jackson,
with letter cxtIemely abusive Of th,
General and rejecting on the virtue Of
his beloved wife
The messenger stated that IL the Gen
eral would not reply with chall,ngc,thc
letter would be published in the news
papers The challenge was sent Gil
Archibald Oycrion, who wa a brother to
the relater Of these particulars. sul who
at that time studied law IN Gen Jackscr's
office. saw the letter Of instruction given
10 the Generals second, Gen L. ONertop.
II concluded in these words: "Accelt
no apology, nothing but his blood viii
satisfy me-
Time anil place were appointed, an
the affair, it seems, was we'll know in
Nashville, for, among other facts to Civ
It Publicity. Dickersnn offered 500 a, 8
bet that he would Kill his antag, nj 4.
Jacks MS family had nn knowledge What
ever OF he affair. Ga the appointed day
Gen Jackson and Oyeftqlh without 81,
Ing a word or creating any suspicion
about the aim ofthcir Journey, started for
the rendezvous Dick r5on and his see
ond. DIR. Cattal, were not on he ground,
aud they waited a considerable tine be
fore they arrived. Gen. Overton, who
was as imperious as Cesar, AMI rs stormy
as a tempest walked up to receive then
Gentlemen, why did You let us wait So
long; or is il your manners 70 let old
men wait for young ones ~
His policy was to confuse Diekersop,
but he could not succeed. ".Dickerson
was one Of the bravest Of men, and his
handling of the pistol the most skillful |
have ever SEEN were the words of Gen.
Over on. which assertion, coming from
one who passed through the seven years
of the Revolution without a furlough
and who, on account Of the unjust attack
upon his friend, forever hated the man,
goes far to establish the mqucstionable
bravery of Jaekson's opponent. ~
The next policy Of Gen. Overton was
to gain the power of giving the woodland
the third 50 extract Dickerson's FIRST lire
70 GUARD against Gen Jacksons firing
too soon, II was agreed that his double.
spring pistol should not be sprung.
Gen, Overton threw up--who, accord
in to his own acknowledgement, could
at pleasure tara up head or tail The
lot of giving command naturally fell upon
him. aud he ordered the two antagonists
to their respective pegs The terms were
= To stands with hands down. and arms
close to the body, until the word fire.
While in expectation for the word, Gen.
Overton saw, or imagined that Dicker-
son, who seemed very anxious to fire,
moved hls right arm whereupon he step
ped up to him. took hold OF both hi,
arms, and in a stcntorian voice exclaim-
ed: Mr.. Dickerson keep your arms
still, sir, and remember the terms Of the
duel" Then he quickly gave the word,
Dickerson fred, and Gen. Oyerton knew
his principal was wounded, because he
saw the dust fly from his coat, Jackson,
after aiming, instantly cried out. "GeH
eral, cannot spring my pistol!' Where
upon the latter, more vehement than ever,
turned upon him with Spring your trig
ger, Cd d--n it!' Jackson did so and
Dickerson was shot dead.
Many years after DR. Oscrtou asked
his uncle, Gen. Oyerton. whether Dicker-
son really moved his arm, or he only i'm
aIined it moved The old man, upon
his word Of honor, declared tnat he could
not tell And why did YOU use such
language toward Gen Jackson? y The
answer Of The old soldier was that, &C
eoriiag to personal experience, awouud.
"A man does MT FOR a few seconds feel
MS hlrt 50 mucA - u 'lsahlc hlD 10
master his actions, but If these few sec
onls pass by, the chlncc retaliation i
over. liewantei. with his storming, to
awaken IN Jacksons eoergies va
"A lew years Ueiorr Gea jackson
death, Dr UFeCtQa bspp apd tor lewith
him II 4js buggy isnn / re Springs to
NasAwilie. Ga the. road they wcre con
yerNne about this dul With Dickersur
AID the old hero uncovered his bosom to
sAow The wound received IN the ciiceun.
ter Why, General, Il seems tome You
must have stood very tadly to reeeiy,
such wolnd,' remarked tn ioctor
The old inali became silent, and did not
rccur any more to the subject
- Portland minister called on q
yoapg couple day or two ago, who had
been lecently united in the holy bonds OF
matiimouy. Alter some little conversation
wi,h tne young lady (who. BY the way,
was not very strong minded. in fact, th'
reversed. he spoke OF her husband. who
happened to BE- ai,en, ~ the lime.
Mrs. L.. doe, your husband per.