The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-03-29

mittee of three to Oregon during the recess to
| investigate Senator Grover. 1t was finally
voted by 80 to to appoint the committee
bury were appointed. Fred Douglass was
confirmed az Marshal for the District OF Col
umbia and the Senate adjourned sine die.
Gen. Jackson's Account of His Fight with
Charles Dickinson.
From the Nashville American.
Gen. W. G. Harding.
My DEAR SIR: In the Kentucky
correspondence Of the Cincinnati
Commercial there recently appeared a
communication describing the duel
which took place many years ago be-
tween Gen. Andrew Jackson and Chas.
Dickinson. enclose to your address a
paper containing it, for the purpose of
calling your attention to the closing
paragraph, which is as follows:
jackson never exhibited the slight
est conjunction for the part he took
| in the bloody affair. He very rarely
alluded to it, but when he did it was
always with perfect complacency. 1t
is told of him that a gentleman was
once examining his duelling pistols.
Taking up one of them the General
quietly remarked: THAT is the pis-
toll with which / killed Mr.. Dlckln-
son.
This is not according to my recollec-
ton. Gov. Neill S. Brown informs me
that YOU had conversation with our
great and good friend at the Hermit
age. a short time before his death,
upon this subject, in which he ex-
pressed regret at the occurrence, IN
terms that reflected most creditably on
his great name and fame. Should not
the truth of history be vindicated!
am, dear sir, very truly your friend,
J. GEO. HARRIS.
BELLEMEADE, NEAR NASHVILLE,
Feb. 9, 1877
j. Geo. Harris.
MY DEAR SIR: | am obliged fol
YOUR kind favor of the 9Th inst; also
for the paper containing an account OF
the duel between Gen. Andrew jackson
and Charles Dickinson, which is incor'
rect in some essential points, and does
great Injustice to General Jackson, as
will appear from the recital OF a con
yersatiOn which took place between
him and myself.
At the time Gen. Jackson retired
from the Presidential chair, and fol
several years thereafter, lived in Nc
Spadden's Bend, on the Cumberland
river, three or four miles distant
from the Hermitage and it was
nv pleasure to visit the old hero ire
quently.
On the occasion referred to, ! fount
General jackson alone, which wa'
not often the case. In the course q
the conversation, | asked hin
whether brave men were ever fright
ened.
Gen. jackson replied: 81 do no
know. sir, that / am competent to an
swer the question"
I answered, the world and especial.
those who know you best, will accort
to YOU as much courage as belongs t.
man."
Gen. jackson then replied: eff tha
be so, sir, | would say that | have beer
as badly frightened as any man ough
ever to be.
then asked him on what occasion
he was frightened, suppQsing that h'
referred to some of his Indian engage
mentS.
The General said: cit was, sir
when fought the duel with Mr.. Dick
inson. In the first place, sir, | had n
3 unkind feeling against Mr.. Dickinson
!. and no disposition to injure hair
e his head. | had gone as far as an hor
orable man could go to avoid the diff
Guilty with Dickinson. He had not II
jured me, and, therefore, | had n
ground of complaint against him. NJ
Quarrel had been with his father-ir
s law. Col. Erwin. / knew Dickinson t
be a brave, honorable gentleman, an
g the best shot with the pistol | eve
saw-far better than myself, for wa
j. never an expert with that weapon.
;. knew that he could shoot quicker an
4 truer than | could. I therefore WEI
. upon the ground expecting to /
killed. and owe the preservation
, nv life on that occasion to the fas
. ions of the day, for | wore coat wit
!" rolling collar and very full breasted
but. fortunately for me, sir, | was Q
{ ganized with very narrow ches
&c dickinson ball struck very near ii
: centre of my coat, and, while
1t scraped the breast bone, it did not e
We ter the cavity of the chest. In an
slant. under the impression that l W
he perhaps mortally wounded, and up
nd the impulse of the moment fired, a
nc my antagonist fell-and no event
, my life. sir. have I regretted SO muc
:" Nv determination before and ait
At taking my position was to dlscnar
* nv pistol in the air, but because Il
Ut the effect OF his shot fired at Ill
Just here, sir, let me add that t
tic world has done me great injustice,
ain am charged with having brought
ow the difficulty, and with having ha
ed the terms so as to reserve my tire
ng advance and it charges me with ri
ing advanced upon Dickinson and 81
a him when was within a few feet
yer him-an of which is false. sir. h1
in instantly after receiving his shot,
81 from my position, and Dickinson stt
his in his position and received my
like brave man as he was.
The above is the conversation nea
Ter verbatim as it occurred between u
he TonHcon ond mvco1f in reference