The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-04-25

'AY, APRIL rs 1871
The Desperate Duel Beiyveer
Jackson and Dickinson.
The famous duel between. Jackson anG
Dickinson is generally known, but Par
toms life Of the former gives an excel
lent account Of the affair, with some cir
cumstances that are new.
DlckinsoNs second won the choice o
positions, aid Jackson's the office o
giving the word. The astute Ove-tor
considered this giving the *orda matter
of great Importance, and lie had alread,
determined how he would give It if tht
lot fell to him. The eight PAGES wrrt
measured off, and the men placed; both
were perfectly collected. All the polite.
ness of such occasions was strictly and
elegantly performed. jackson was dress
ed in loose frock coat, buttohed Care.
lessly over his chest, and concealihg in
some degree the extreme slenderness Of
his figure. Dickinson was the younger
and handsomer man Of thatmo. But
Jackson's tall, erect figure, and the in.
tensity of his demeanor, it is said, gave
a most superior. commanding air, as he
stood under the tall poplars on this
bright May morning, silently awaiting
the moment Of doom. So
care you ready ?" said Overtou. si
II am ready~ said Dickinson.
II am ready!" said jackson. sA
The words were no sooner pronounc-
ed, than Overton, with sudden shout,
using his old country pronunciation,
cried. "FIRE!' ss
Dickinson raised his pistol Quickly
and fred. Overton, who was looking
with anxiety and dread at Jackson, saw
puff OF dust fly from the breast Of his
coat, and saw him raise his left hand and
place it tightly across his chest. He is
surely hit, thought Overton, and in bad
place too, but he does not fall Erect
and grim as fate he stood, his teeth
olenchs and raised his pistol Over
ton glanced at Dickinson. Amazed al
the unwonted failure of his aim, and ap.
palled at the awful figure and face before
him, Dickinson had unconsciously recoil.
ed a pace or two. .Great Godr' he fal.
tered, shave missed him 2"
"Back to the mark, sir" thundered
Overton, with his hand upon his pistol
Dickinson recovered his composure,
stepped forward to the peg, and stood
with his eyes avcrte6 from his antago.
mist. All this was but the work Of q
moment, though 1t requires many words
to tell it. 80 ta iis
jackson took deliberate aim and pulled
the trigger. The pistol neither snapped
or went of. He looked at the trigger
and discovered it had stopped at halt
cock. He drew It back to its place and
took aim second time He fired, Dick.
inson's face b!anched; he reeled his
friends rushed forward and caught him
in their arms and gently seated him on
the grass, leaning against bush. His
trowsers Redeemed. They stripped of
his clothes, The ball passed through
below the ribs. Such o wound could
not but be fatal. ss'ss 1--we 80
Oyerton went forward and learned the
condition of the wounded man. Rejoin-
ing his principal, he said HE won't
want any more of you, General and
conducted him from the ground. They
had gone an hundred yards, Overton
walking on one side Of Jackson, the sur
geon on the others when the surgeon oh
served that one of Jackson's shoes was
filed with blood. s'g ias'a ST..
"Oh, I belicve.n said jackson, she
pricked me d little. Let's look at it But
say nathing about it there" pointing to
the house. e
He opened his coat. Dickinson's aim
had been perfect. Heshad sent the ball
precisely where he had supposed Jack
sons heart was beating. But the thin
ness Of his body and the looseness Of
his coat combining to deceive Dickinson,
the ball had only broken a rib or two,
and raked the breast bone. 1t was a
somewhat painful, bad-looking wound,
but neither severe nor dangerous, and he
was able to ride to the tavern without
much Inconvenience. Approaching the
house he went to one Of the negro wo-
men who was churning and asked if the
butter had come. She said ii was COM
ing, He asked her for some butter-milk.
While she was getting it for him,she OBJ,
served him .furtively open his coat and
look within. She saw his shirt was
soaked with blood, and she stood gazing
with blank horror at the sight, dipper in
hand. He canght her eye and hastily
buttoned mp his coat again. She dipped
out quart measure full OF buttermilk
and gave tito HIM. He drank il off at a
draught, and then went in and took of
his coat and had his wound carefully ex.
amined and dressed That done he dis
patched one of his retinueito DR.. Catlet,
to inquire respecting the csndition OF
Dickinson, and to say that the surgeon
attending himself would be, glad totem
der his aid to Mr. Dickinson's relief
Polite reply was returned that Dickin-
sons case was beyond surgery. In the
course of the day jackson sent o bottle
of wine to DIR. Catlet for the use of his
patient, a sali,sk
But there was one qualification that
Jackson could not, even in such circum.
stances, grant him. A very old friend
i1c I.af.,o, ,.,,.:f,. 81 sv,oo ssl,,,of. SsAl