Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-03-10
Andrew Jackson's Duel.
The Fight in which He Killed His An
tagOnist.

Charles Dickinson was deadly. Dickinson
had alluded in public to the well known and
recorded fact that one RobardS had obtained
divorce from his wife on account OF her nv
ing in adultery with one Andrew jackson.
She had already been made Jackson's wife, but
the offence was deadly. Jackson sent the
challenge. Dickinson was the most expert
marksman in Tennessee, and Jackson resolved
to give him the first fire.
The place appointed for the meeting was q
long days ride from Nashville. Thursday
morning, before the dawn Of day, Dickinson
stole from the side of his youns and beautiful
wife and began speedily to prepare for the
Journey. She awoke and asked him why be
was up so early. He replied that be had bus
mess in Kentucky, across the river, but it
would not detain him long. On parting he
kissed her with peculiar tenderness and said,
"Good-by, darling. shall be sure to be at
home tomorrow night"
lie mounted his horse and repaired to the
rendezvous where his second and half dozen
cav blades of Nashville were waiting to escort
him on his journey. Away they rode in the
highest spirits, as though it were party Of
pleasure. Indeed, they made a party Of
pleasure of it. When they stopped for rest
or refreshmeut Dickinson is said to have a.
unused the company by displaying his won
ful skill with the pistol. Once at distance
o. twenty -four feet he fred four balls, each at
the word of command, into space that could
be covered by silver dollar 1t is said that
he had aid wager of $500 that he could hit
his antagonist within half an inch Of a certain
button on his coat.
Both parties, with their respective caval-
cades, reached the vicinity of the ground ap-
pointed for the duel late in the aiternoon.-
They secured accommodations at a couple Of
neicLboring taverns. II is related that jock
son ate heartily at supper that night, converS-
ing in lively, pleasant manner, and smoked
his evening pipe as usual lie retired early,
and by daylight next morning the whole party
was up and in the saddle. 4 gallop Of a mile
and the fording of stream, which, owing TO
rs swollen state, it was found necessary 70
swim, brought them to the ground. Dickin-
son and party had already arrived. The bus
mess ut once proceeded. Dickinson's secord
won the choice of position and Jackson's the
office Of giving the word "Both were per
fecty collected" says Patton. "All the po-
liteness Of such occasions was very strictly aud
elegantly performed. Jackson was dressed in
loose frock coat, buttoued carelcssly over bis
chest, and concealing in some degree the ex-
t,eme senderness Of his figure. Dickinson
was the younger and handsomer man of the
two, but Jackson's tall, erect figure, and the
still intensity Of his demeanor, it is said, gave
him most superior and commanding air, as
he stood under the tall poplArs this bright
May morning, silently awaiting tie moment
of doom.
care you ready ?" said Overton.
"I am ready" replied Dickinson.
al am really" said Jackson.
The word was given.
Dickinson raised lis pistol quickly and
fired Overton, who was looking with anxiety
and dread at jackson, saw a puff Of dust fly
from the breast of his coat, and saw him raise
his left arm and place it tightly across bis
breast. "Ile is surely hit," thought 0verton,
"and in bad place, too; but, nc; be does
not fall" Erect and grim as Fate he stood,
his teeth clenched, raising hispstol. Cverton
glanced at Dickinson. Annoyed at the un-
wonted failure Of bis aim, and apparently ap-
pallcd at the awful figure and face before him,
Dickinson had recoied pace or two.
Great God r. he fallered have | missed
him ?"
Back to the mark, sir !" shrieked OvertoD'
with his hand upon pistol.
Dickinson recovered bis compcsure, stepped
forward to the peg and stood with eyes avert
ed from bis antagonist.
General jackson took deliberate aim and
pulled the trigger. The pistol neither snap
ped nor went Of lie looked at the trigger
and discovered that it had stopped at half
cock. He drew it back TO is place and took
aim second time. lie fred Dickinson's
face blauche1 he reeled; his friends pushed
toward him, caught him in their arms, and 81
lently seated bin on the ground leaning A.
glinst bush. His trousers REDEEMED. They
stripped of lis clothes. The blood was sush-
Jog from his side in torrents The ball had |
passed through the body below the ribs. Such |
a wound could not but be fatal.
jackson and bis friends Immediately left .
hc field. It was found upou examination, on
.eaching tie tavern, that he was wounded.--
Dickinson 5 aim" says Parton, had been
perfect. He had sen: the ball precisely where
&c supposed Jacksons heart was beating. but
lie tLnness Of his body and the looseues Of
lis coat combining to deceive him, the ball
ad only broken rib or two and raked the
teast-bone. 1t was a somewhat painful, bad
ooking wound, but neither severe nor danger
us."
Dickinson died that night
In this duel it is plain to be seen from
areful consideration of the circumstances a.
,ove narrated, though the truth does not ap-
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