The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-02

agreed with Uverton that it would be
better to receive Dickinson's fire and
take his chances. ...,s ,....., r.....
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 foi
the night. 1t was promised. The party
of eight dismounted and turned their
horses over to the attendant negroes.
They were hardly in the tavern before
the Dickinson cavalcade rode up and
sought lodgings. Miller replied that his
house wis full. but If they chose 10 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
house two miles down the river kept by
William Harrison. He aud his friends
passed the night at Harrisons.
jackson ate q hearty supper and
smoked an old clay pipe. He co4-
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
hlttt iCli y liistls, DQb liS nOut dDDcdTtu
Jackson spurred his horse into the
stream and dashed across, followed by
his party. They rode into q poplar
forest, and stopped near the center of
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.
"Oh, all right" he replied. ct shall
wing him never fear"
Dicl1inson'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 % and Jackson 80 years
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
CT 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 O 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
at the unwonted failure of his aim, and
apparently appalled, at the awful face
and figure before him, the lawyer had
unconsciously recoIed pace or two.
"Great God !" he faltered, shave L
missed him ?"
"Back to the mark, sir, "roared Over
ton, with his hand on his pistol.
Dickinson recovered his composure
and toed the scratch. He averted his
eyes from his antagonist. Jackson took
deliberate aim and pulled the trigger.
The pistol neither snapped nor went off.
1t stopped at half cock. Jackson drew
the lock back to its place, took aim
second time, and fired. Dickinson's
face blanched. He reeled. His friends
caught him in their arms. and gently
seated him on the ground against bush.
His trousers redeemed. They stripped
off his clothes. The blood was gushing
from his side in torrent. The ball had
passed through the body just below the
ribs, and lodged just under the skin
above the opposite hip. All the doctors
in Christendom could not have saved
his life. Gen. Overton went forward
and looked at him. A glance was sufli-
cient. He 'reioined jackson, saying
He'll want no more of you, General. :"
They walked to where the horses
were tethered. Gen. Overton was
on one side of Jackson and the surgeon
on the other. Neither spoke a word.
The surgeon saw one of Jackson's
shoes was full of blood. "My God,
General, you are hit I" he exclaimed,
pointing to the blood.
eyes, believe he has sprinkled me
little" jackson replied. LETS look
oN ~, poo hCoiiihto obOut
He opened his coat. Diclkinson's aim
had been perfect. He had sent the ball
precisely where he supposed Jackson's
heart was beating. The thinness of his
body and the looseness of his coat de-
ceived him. It was bad-looking
wound. Two ribs were broken and the
breas -bone was raked. jackson mount
ed his horse and rode to the tavern.
Upon approaching the house he went
up to a negro woman, who was churn-
ing, and asked whether the butter had
come. She said it was just coming. He
asked for some buttermilk. While she
was getting it for him he furtively
opened his coat. She saw that his shirt
was covered with blood. While she was
gazing at the sight, dipper in hand, he
caught her eye, and hastily buttoned
his coat. She dipped out a quart of
buttermilk and gave it to him. He
drank it off at draught, and then went
into the house and had his wound
dressed. He sent a friend to inquire
II, oh