Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-11-30
Miscellaneous
Andrew Jachsen's Duel with Chns.
Dickinson.

Dickinson.
We find in an exchange the following ac-
count of duel fought by Gen. Jackson
with Charles Dickinson. 1t took place
May 30, 1906, at IIarrison's Mills, on Red
river, in Logan county, Kentucky
The place of combat was n long days
ride from Nashville, and tt-iueists were
consequently obliged to start twenty-four
hours previous. Dickinson, beside his Sc
cond, was accompanied on the fatal jour
ney by Il number of gay companions, who
went out TO see the meeting and appeared
to have cherished the utmost confidence in
the prowess of their friend. Tradition
states that whenever the party stopped for
refreshments, Dickinson displayed his skill
with his weapon by shooting at mark,
and so wonderfully accurate was his aim
that Mt the word of command he put four
balls into space covered by a dollar, twen-
ty-iour feet distant. At the same distance
he repeatedly cut small string suspended
from II bough, and left it behind, with in
structions to the tavern-keepcr to show it
to Gen. Jackson if he came that way. 1t
is also said that he bet $500 he would hit
his enemy within half inch of certain
button on his coat Both were conscious
that it was indeed to be u life and death af-
Il.
ngly. Their deliberations resulted in
Jackson's determination to let Dickinson
have the first and take his chances for the
second. He felt perfectly confident that
Dickinson would hit him, and equally conf
dent that he would hit Dickinson. II
should have hit him. said this iron man
long afterward, If he had shot me in the
BRAIN The two parties passed the night
at different cabins on the bank Of the river,
and Jackson is reported to have ate a hear
ty supper, smoked his usual pipe and in
dulged in cheerful conversation previous to
retiring. Next morning before breakfast,
Jackson and his friends were in the saddle,
and tording the shallow stream, proceeded
TO the appointed spOta level piece of river
bottom in the bosom of a forest of poplar
trees. Dickinson was equally prompt, and
after exchanging the salutation, business
went on at once. The ground was mca-
sured, pegs driven, and men placed, the
pistols loaded, and all was ready but the
word. The giving OF this had been won by
Overton, aud he shouted it out with the
strong old country accent 49, Fire ?''--
Dickinson raised his pistol quickly aud fired
on the instant. The dust flew from the
breast of the loose-lilting lroc& which Jack
son wore, and he was seen 10 place his left
arm with a tight grip across his chest (;
but he neither staggered nor turned pale.
Dickinson, amazed at the sight of his foe,
still erect and apparently untouched, fell
back pace or two aud exclaimed Great
God have / missed him =" Back to the
mark, sir !" said Oyerton, with his hand
on his pistol. Dickinson resumed his place,
firmly waiting the result. jackson raised
his weapon, took deliberate aim, and pulled
the trigger. 1t stopped at half cock. lie
cooked again, again aimed as deliberately
as before, and this time the ringing crack
followed, and Dickinson, reelng towards
the ground, was caught by his friends and
supported against a clump of underbrush.
His lower garments reddCned with blood
and brief examination showed that the
ball had passed directly through the body
below the hips, and lodged under the skin
on the opposite side from the point of en-
trance. Such wound could have but one
termination, and Dickinson, after suffering
terribly all day, died at nine O'Clock the
same evening. AS Jackson and his COM
panions went from the spot the surgeon
noticed blood ooziug from his shoes. my
God, Gen. Jackson, are you hit ?" eX-
claimed. "Oh. i believe he has pricked
me little. Let's at it. But say nothing
about il here" pointing to the house they
were then approaching. Why he was so
/ particular in concealine his wound from
outsiders is explained by a friend to whom
Jackson aflerward SAID Il did not want
Dickinson 10 have the qualification of
knowing that he touched me-" Drinking
deep draught of butter-milk he had the
wound dressed and was able to ride home
without much difficulty but three months
elapsed before he could move about COM
fortably, and the indirect CONSCIENCE Of the