Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-03-19
Duel between Jackson
and Dickerson.

Seeing some recollections of
Calhoun and other illustrious deat
in your magazine, | deem it righ
to forward to you a leaf of my
"Scrap book" before some acci
dent might render impossible it
appearance in print. 1t is "Tht
duel of Gen. Jackson and Dicker
son." the details of which 7 re
ceived from the lips of DR.. James
Overton, a man of fine erudition
and brilliant parts, who, in spite
of the fact that the life long tor
ments of dyspepsia incapacitated
him for any active participation
in public affairs, may justly be
considered the father of the Nash.
vile and Chattanooga railroad
He came to Tennessee in 1918,
and settled in Neely's Bend of
Cumberland river, opposite to the
Hermitage. Being a democrat
and gentleman, he was a frequent
and welcome visitor, at the house
of the hero OF New Orleans. He
died two years ago, an octogen-
arian in full possession of all his
strong mental faculties. General
Jackson was never communicative
ON the subject of this duel, and
the doctor related it to me as he
heard it of his own uncle, Gen.
Thomas Overton, a neighbor and
bosom friend, as well as second in
this affair of old Hickory.
Gen. Jackson and Dickerson's
fatherin-law had some misunder-
standing, probably about horses
and horse racing. The son-in-law
undertook to resent the affront.
He, already good shot, repaired
to Natchez. and spent there six
months, his chief employment be-
ing practice with a pistol. Re-
turning to Nashville, Dickerson
dispatched one of his friends to
Jackson with a letter extremely
abusive of the General and reflect
ing on the virtue of his beloved
wife. The messenger stated that
if the General would not reply
with a challenge, the letter would
be published in the newspapers
Col. Archibald Overton who was
brother to the doctor, and who, at
that time, studied law in Gen.
Jackson's office, saw the instruc-
tion given to the second, Gen. T.
Overton. It concluded in these
words: "accept no apology, moth
ing but his blood will satisfy me"
Time and place were appointed
and the affair, it seems, was we'll
known in Nashville, for, among
other facts to give it publicity,
Dickerson offered $500 as bet,
that he would kill his antagonist.
Jackson's and 7. Overton's families
had no knowledge whatever of the
whole affair. On the appointed
day, Generals Jackson and Over
ton, without saying a word or
creating the least suspicion about
the aim of their journey, started
for the rendezvous. Dickerson was
not on the ground, and they waited
for a considerable time before he
and second arrived. Gen. Over
ton, who was as imperious as
Caesar, and as stormy as a tenn
pest, walked up to receive them
with, 'Gentlemenl why did you
let US wait. SO long; or is it your
manners to let old men wait for
young onesY
His policy was to confuse Dick
erson, but he could not succeed.
"Dickerson was one of the bravest
men, and his handling of the pis-
tol the most skillful that | ever
have seen," were the words of
Gen. Oyerton, which assertion,
coming from one who passed
through the seven years of the
revolution without furlough,
and who, on account of the just
attack upon his friend, forever
despised the map-goes far to es-
tablish the unquestionable brave
ry of Jackson's opponent.
The next policy of Gen. Over
ton was to gain the power of Civ
ing the word; and the third to ex-
tract Dickerson's first fire; and to
guard against Gen. Jackson fir
ing too soon, it was agreed that
his double-spring pistol should not
be sprung.