Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-04-07


Tie DUEL BETWEEN JACKSON AND Dick
lNsoN.--Thc famous duel between Jackson and
Dickinson is generally known, but Parton
Fife of the former gives anintcrcsting account OF
the affair." With some circumstances that are
,icw - e. y - -
Dickinson second won the choice of posi-
tons. and Jackson the office of giving the word.
The astutc Overton considered this giving the
I word a matter of great Importance, and he had
already determined how he would give it, if the
lot fell to him. The eight PAGES were mea-
sured off, and the men placed; both were per
fectly collected All the politeness of such &C.
casiOns was strictly and elegantly performed
Jackson was dressed in loose trock coat, but
toned carelcssy over his chest, and cOncealng
in some degree the extreme slenderncss of his
Ggurc. Dickinson was the younger and hand
erect figure, and the intensity Of his demeanor,
if is said, gave most superior commanding air,
rs he stood under the tall poplars on this bright
| May morning, silently awaiting the moment OF
doom. - .,.,,.
Are YOU ready said Overtou.
! Il am ready said Dickinson.
Il an ready" said jackson.
The word was no sooner pronounced: than
Oyerton. with sudden shout using his old
country pronunciation, cried, FIRE
Dickinson raised his pistol quickly and tired;
Oyelton. who was looking with anxiety and
dread at Jackson, saw apuH OF dust ny from
the breast Of his coat; and saw him raise his
left hand, and place it tightly across his chest:
lie is surely hit, thought Overton, and IN bad
placp too, but he does not fall. Erect and
rim as fate he stood, his teeth ctenched and
raised his pistol. Oyemon glanced. at Diekin-
son: Amazed at the unwonted failure OF his
aim, and appalled, at the awful figure and face
before him, Dickinson had umconsciously re-
coed ii pace or two Great God = he faltcr-
cd, have | missed him :!
Back to the mark, sir, numbered Over
ton, with his hand upon his pistol.
Dickinson recovered his compDsulr, stepped
forward to the peg and stood with his eyes
ayertcd from his antagonist. All this Was but
the work of Il moment though it:requireS many
words to tell it. =.
Jackson tuck deliberate aim, and pulled the
trigger The pistol neither snapped nor went
Gf., He locked ut the trigger and discovered
il I.au stopped at half cock, He drew it back
TO its place and took aim second time. tie
fired: dickinson face blanchcd he rccled his
friends rushed. forward and caught him in their
arms and gently seated Him on the grass, lean
ing against bush. His trowSers redeemed:
They stripped off his clothes. The ball passed
I through below the rib. Such wound could
not be but fatal.
Ovcrton went forward to and learned the
condition of the wounded man Reckoning his
Of you General and conducted him from the
ground .rhry had gone an hundre1 yards,
Ovcrlon walking ON one side OF JACKSON. the
surgeon oil the other, when the surgeon obScr-
we'd that one ui' jackson 5. shoes was fllcd with
.'Oh. / believe he pricked me I little. Let )
Look ut it, But say nothing about it there,
pointing 10 the house. "
He OPENED his coat Dickinson aim had
been perfect He had sent the. ball precisely
where he had supposed Jackson heart was
beating But the thlmneSS ct body anu the
looSclrsS OF his coat combining to deceive
Dickinson the ball had only broken Il rib or
two. and rakcd the breast bole. 1t was L
neither severe nor dangerous, and he was able
To ride to the tavern without much ncOnvenl-
cncr Upon approaching the house. he went
Ito one of TIN, negro who was churnlng,
md asked if tho lu!ttcr had come. She. Said it
WAS coming lie asked lon SOME butter-milk.
While she w;is getting it Tor him, she observed
him iurtivcly open his coat and look within
She saw his shirt was soaked with blood, and
: she stood gazing in blank horror ut the sight,
upper Ill UaHu lit caught ilcl cl anu llt'oiS
+ buttoncd up his coat again. She dipped out a
quart measure fill OF butter-milk and gave it
to him. He drank it off at draught, then went
in and took oh his coat and had his wound care
fully examined and dressed. That done he dis
patched one OF his retinue to Dr. Catlet, to in
qure respecting the, condition Of Dickinson,
and to say that the surgeon attending himself
would be glad to tender his aid to Mr. Dickin-
son relief: Polite reply was returned that
Dickinson : case was heyonl surgery. In the
course Of the day Jackson sent Il bottle Of wine
to Dr. Catlct. for the use of his patielt.
But there was one qualification that jackson
could not. even in such circumstances, grant
him Avery old friend Of Jackson 5 writes to
me thus: 'A1though the General had been
wounded lie did not desire it to be known until
he had left the vicinity, and therefore he had
concealed it first from his friends. His reason
for doing this. rs he once stated to me, WAS that,
as Dickinson considered hiuiself the best shot
in the world, and was certain of killing him the
first fire, he not want him to haze the gratitica
ton even of knowing he had hit him