The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-09-08
AN HISTORIC DUEL.

AN HISTORIC DUEL.
fhe bloody Encounter Between General
Jackson and Charles Dickinson.
General Jackson most severe wound.
and the one that finally caused his
death. was received in his duel with
Charles Dickinson in 1906. General
Jackson challenged Dickinson for dis
paraging remarks uttered concerning
Mrs. Jackson. Dickinson accepted.
and DR.. Hanson Catlet was the friend
Of Dickinson. 1t was agreed that the
duel should be fought at a. m. on the
s0th Of May (1806), under the follow
Ing stipulations:
The distance shall be twenty-four
feet the parties to stand facing each
other. with their pistols down perpen-
dicularly. 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 fire before the
word is given, we 1.-THE seconds1 pledge
ourselves to shoot him down instantly.
The person to give the word is to be
determined by lot, as is also the choice
Of position"
There was intense excitement in
Nashville. The coming duel was no
secret, although the time and place
HeFu known only to the friends of the
parties. Bets were laid upon the result
Of the meeting, the odds being against
jackson. Dickinson himself waoered
that he would bring his man down at
the first shot.
HARRISON Mills was DAYS ride from
Nashville. On the morning OF the 29th
Dickinson arose at daybreak, and silent
y began to prepare for the journey.
His young wife awoke and asked him
why he was up so early. He replied
that be had business in Kentucky, and
that be would surely be home on the
following day. He tenderly kissed the
fond little woman, mounted his horse
and galloped away, accompanied by
u. Catlet and half a dozen of the Young
hloods of Nashville. It was pleasure
party. When they stopped for rest or
refreshment, Dickinson amused his
retinue BY displaying his wonderful
skill with a pistol. Once, at distance
o. twenty-four feet, he fired four balls,
each at the word of command, into a
space that could be covered by silver
dollar. Several times, at the same dis
lance, ne cut string with his bullet.
De LETT severed string hanging to
mekory post near tavern, and, as he
rode away, said to the landlord, .Show
mat TO General jackson if he comes
along this road" He also laid a wager
snst ne would hit his antagonist within
hali an inch of a certain button on his
coal Parton, whose report we have con-
aensed. described the party as frlsking
and galioping along lonely forest roads,
MAKING short cuts that cautious travel
eB never attempted, dashing across
creeks and rivers, and making the woods
ring with merriment.
Very different was the demeanor of
uenerai jackson and his party. Over
son was an old Revolutionary soldier,
sersed in the science and familiar with
sue practice OF dueling. He had re-
aected deeply on the conditions of the
snmlng combat, with view of saving
als friend from Dickinson's unerrino
oailet. y They rode apart from the rest
y 1ne company and discussed all the
Ossnees and probabilities. 1t was an
asair IN which each man was to strive
sita ms utmost skill to disable his an
'aSonlst and save his own life. At the
Sofa each was to fire as soon as he
rsased. There was q chance that by
sAReme quickness of movement one
a.sl =. could bring down the other with
~ ~ almself receiving a shot. jackson
suu uverton were at first undecided as
-. = whether they should try to get the
slss !. snot or permit Dickinson to have
N n. oVerton thought that, as Dickinson,
s;. s.s al miraculous shots. required no
ssss isas % take aim, he would have far
sss JSs.er chance than jackson in a quick
=. saOs. even If both fred at once. Jack
~ ~ was certain that he would be hit
Nm Nm ne was unwilling to subject his own
M 70 The chance Of its being totally
Ess.,oyed by the shock of o wound.
IN saIy, NY however. he agreed with Over
M..:a ~ mat 1t would be better to receive
atsrward. N '"A0 MS onanccs
M;lIsssan n ssundown they stopped at David
81 ,er tavern on the banks Of the Red
dnss hal. near the ground chosen for the
H. ss,. and asked for accommodations for
If 81. gaI 1t was promised. The party
ho,sqh oismounted and turned their
lhsse lhse, .' over to the attendant negroes.
IL h hse were hardly in the tavern before
sos.hs hc1lnson cavalcade rode up and
h;s hsSas lodgings. Miller replied that
rsma; N aouse was full, but if they chose to
Il, aln !, ne would do the best he could
xsa n. !" y Dickinson asked how far it
Cd r. = ,ne next tavern, and was direct
kenss 3 {. : mouse 1s. two miles down the river
h;ssoy h " William Harrison. He and his
JscI s passed the night at Harrison,s.
n ate q hearty supper and