San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-07-04
A FAMOUS DUEL.
Goodness and bravery Displayed by Gen.
Andrew jackson.

Goodness and bravery Displayed by Gen.
Andrew jackson.
Tho Philadelphia Press offered q
prize for the best story OF personal
bravery. Tho following Is ono OF the
contributions; ! have considered the
famous duel in 1906, between Gen.
Andrew Jackson, aftcrward president
Of tho United States, and Charles
Dickinson, Of Nashville, Tenn, as an
unparalleled exhibition Of courage
and fortitude on tho part Of tho for
mer.
Dickinson was q dashing young
blood of Nashville, and considered tho
best pistol shot in the state. Flo had
fought several duels and always killed
his opponent. The cause Of tho duel
is immaterial here, but Jackson being
the challenging party pistols were Of
course named by Dickinson. and tho
distance eight PAGES.
Tho dueling ground lay good
days journey from Nashville, and
early upon the appointed day Dickin-
son set forth accompanied by q chosen
party of sporting friends, and was fol-
lowed a few hours later by Jackson
and his second.
All during that long days travel
tho general was constantly RECALLED (0
at the different inns and taverns upon
tho road with such evidences Of Dick
inson's confidence in tho result Of tho
duel as strings hanging from tree
boughs with papers attached stating
that they had been cut by Dickinson's
bullet at eight PAGES. Just before
reaching the ground he fired four
balls, each at the word of command,
into a silver dollar at the same dis
tance, and tossed il to the landlord as
he rode away, with tho request that it
be given to Gen. Jackson when he ar
rived. The latter's revenge for these
cruel taunts and contemptuous non
chalance was even moro hercely
sweet than poets dare to fancy, as the
sequel will show.
Tho conditions Of the duel were that
the combatants should face each other
at eight PAGES, thereby making the
largest possible target Of their bodies
tho pistols TO be held downward until
the word was given TO fire, when each
man was to shoot at will. The chances
of success thus lay entirely with the
party who combined in the greatest
degree quickness and accuracy. Dick
inson was not only a marvellous shot
in state noted for its good marks
men, but he required no aim, firing at
sight, and il was in view OF this that
Jackson suddenly Mortified his second
with the announcement that he in
tended holding his fire until Dickinson
had taken his shot, and all expostula-
tions failed to turn him from this
suicidal course.
Tho principals reached tho ground
and took their positions without evil
donce Of trepidation on the part of
either. AT this stage of affairs bets
were brutally made by the spectators
on the result, as if they were at
cooking main or dog fight, great
odds being placed on Dickinson, who
pointed out to his friends certain
button on Jacksons coat, over his
heart, by the sido Of which he proposed
to put his bullet; and, like his friends,
eagerly bet in his own favor
''Aro you readyT was asked Of
each. "t'irel' and Dickinson raised
his pistol and fired. A puff Of dust
was seen 10 fly from Jackson's coat
and his left arm was raised and press
cd across his breast, but otherwise not
a muscle moved. His gaunt face be-
came as Whitley set as chiscled mar
BILE, and his eyes remained fixed on
his antagonist with supernatural
glare.
MY Godp cried Dickinson, start
ing back and dropping his pistol,
'have missed him2' ''Stand up TO
the mark !" shouted Jackson's second,
drawing his pistol. Jackson's pistol
arm slowly roso without tremor,
and aiming deliberately no fred.
Dickinson fell MORALLY wounded.
The general Immediately walked
away, followed by his second and the
surgeon.
They had proceeded but q short dis
tance when the surgeon observed that
one of Jackson's shoes was filled with
blood. Then nature gave way, but
not until he had demanded that all
knowledge Of tho wound would be
kept from tho daring Dickinson, so
deep was his revenge. AT the timc OF
the duel Jackson was dressed in q
loose fitting frock coat, and being
very slender man, Dickinson was de-
cciyed as 10 the exact location Of his
heart. His aim, however, had been
perfect, the ounce ball breaking two
ribs, shattering tho breast bone and
inllicting q wound from tho effects OF
which Jackson eventually died.
Tho incidents OF this tragic affair
thoughtfully considered, represent TO
the writer's mind tho most exalted
typo Of physical bravery, devoid
though il may be Of tioso higher
moral qualities which marked Jack
sons subsequent career and which
mado his entire life powerful illus
tration Of tho fact that desperate
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