The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-09-09

patient. Overton wrote second note,
renewing his offer and asking for answer.
DR.. Catlet replied In barely civil note
that it would be Involvement to after
the day already agreed upon. This
settled the point in dispute. On May
"a the seconds signed the following:
aIt is agreed that the distance shall
be "a feet, the parties to stand facing
each other, with their pistols down per-
pendicularly. When they are ready the
single word fire is to be given at which
they are to fire as soon as they please.
Should either party fire before the word
is given, we pledge ourselves to shoot
him down instantly. The person to give
the word to be determined by lot, as
also the choice of position, We mutu-
ally agree that the above regulations
shall be observed in the affair of honor
between Gen. Andrew Jackson and
Charles Dickinson, Esq"
There was intense excitement in Nash
vile. The coming duel was no secret,
although the time and place were known
only to the friends Of the parties. The
publication of Dickinson's letter on the
26th famed the excitement. Bets were
made upon the result of the meeting,
the odds being against Jackson. Dick
inson himself wagered that he would
bring down his man at the first fire.
Harrison's mllls were days ride from
Nashville. On the morning of the Goth
Dickinson arose at daybreak and silently
began to prepare for the journey. His
young wife awoke and asked him why
he was up SO early. He replied that he
had business in Kentucky, and that he
would surely be home on the following
day. He tenderly kissed the fond little
woman, mounted his horse and galloped
away, accompanied by DR.. Catlet and
half dozen Of the young bloods of
Nashville. It was a pleasure party.
When they stopped for rest OR refresh
nent Dickinson amused his retinue by
displaying his wonderful skill with the
pistol. Once, at distance of twenty
four feet, he fired four balls, each at
the word of command, into a space that
could be covered by silver dollar. Sew
eral times, at the same distance, he cut
q string with his bullet. He left sew
cred string hanging to hickory post
near tavern, and, as he rode away, said
to the landlord: "Show that to Gen.
Jackson if he comes along this road. +"
He also laid wager that he would hit
his antagonist within half an inch of a
certain button on his coat. Parton,
whose report we have condensed, de-
scribed the party as frisking and gallop-
ing along lonely forest roads, making
short cuts that cautious travellers never
attempted, dashing across creeks and
rivers, and making the woods ring with
merriment.
Very different was the demeanor of
Gen. jackson and party. Overton was
an old Revolutionary soldier, versed in
in the science and familiar with the
practice of dueling. He had reflected
leeply on the conditions of the coming
combat, with view of saving his friend
from Dickinson's unerring bullet. They
rode apart from the rest of the company
and discussed all the chances and prob
abilities. It was an affair in which each
man was to try with his utmost skill
to disable his antagonist and save
his own life. At the word each was to
fire as soon as he pleased. There was O
chance that by extreme quickness of
movement one man could bring down
the other without himself receiving 8
shot. Jackson and Oyerton were at
hrst undecided as to whether they should
try to get the first shot OF permit Dick
inson to have it. Oyerton thought that
as Dickinson, like all other miraculous
shots, required no time to take aim, he
would have a far better chance than
Jackson In quick shot, even if both
fired at once. jackson was certain that
he would be hit, and he was unwilling
to subject his own aim to the chance of
its being totally destroyed by the shock
Of wound. Finally. however. he
agreed with Overton that it would be
better to receive Dickinson's fire and
take his chances.
At shutdown they stopped at David
Miller's tavern, on the banks of the Red
river, near the ground chosen for the
duel, and asked for accommodations fo1
the night. It was promised. The party
II eight dismounted and turned their
horses over to the attendant negroes.
They were hardly in the taverJ before
the Dickinson cavalcade rode up and
sought lodgings. Miller replied that his
house was full, but if they chose to re-
main he would do the best he could for
them. Dickinson asked how far it was
to the next tavern, and was directed to a
house two miles down the river kept by
William Harrison. He and his friends
passed the night at Harrisops.
jackson ate hearty supper and
smoked an old clay pipe. He con-
versed pleasantly and went to bed early.
Before breakfast on the next morning
the whole party rode down the road
that wound along the banks of the
stream. A mile below they expected to
meet ferryman, but as none appeared
jackson spurred his horse into the
stream and dashed across, followed by
his party. They rode into a poplar
forest, and stopped near the center of O
level river bottom, about two hundred
yards from the road. Dickinson and his
retinue were already there. They tied
their horses, and Jackson turned and
approached the opposite party. One of
his friends asked him how he felt.
con, all right" he replied. 81 shall
wing him never fear"
Dickinson's second won the choice of
position and Jackson's the office OF Civ
ing the word. The eight PAGES were
measured off and the men were placed.
Both were perfectly collected. Strict
dueling etiquette was preserved. Jack
son wore a loose frock coat, buttoned
carelessly over his chest, and conceal
ing, in some degree, the extreme slen-
derness of his figure. Dickinson was
the younger and handsomer man of the
two. He was 25 and jackson 80 wears
old. The Generals tall, erect figure
and grave demeanor gave. him com
handing air as he stood in the shade of
the poplars in the bright May morn.
Are you ready?" Overton inquired.
I" 1 am ready" Dickinson replied, and
Jackson reiterated the words.
Quick as thought Overton shouted.
with his old-country accent. "Fere +"
Dickinson as quickly raised his pistol
and fired. Overton saw puff of dust
fly from the breast of the Generals
coat. Jackson raised his left arm and
placed it tightly across his chest. "He
is surely hit" muttered his second,
and in bad place, too; but no, he
does not fall" jackson, erect and grim,
with teeth Set firm, raised his pistol.
Overton glanced at Dickinson. Amazed