The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-05-30
AFAMOUS DUEL.
A Terrible account Of Historical Event.

CAMVOE OO1Os
| A Terrible account OF Historical Event.
Last week the Philadelphia Press Of.
fered a prize for the best story ofpersonal
bravery. The following is one of the
contributions l have considered the
famous duel in 1906, between General
jackson, afterward president of the Uni.
ted States, and Charles Dickinson, of
Nashville, Tenn, as an unparalleled e1-
hibition of courage and fortitude on the
part of the former.
Dickinson was dashing young blood
of Nashville, and considered the best
pistol shot in the State. he had fought
several duels and always killed his oppo-
nens. The cause of the duel is inmate.
rial here, but Jackson being the challeng.
ing party pistols were of course named
by Dickinson, and the distance eight
PAGES.
The dueling ground lay q good days
journey from Nashville, and early upon
the appointed day Dickinson set forth
accompanied by chosen party ofsport-
ing friends, and was followed few hours
later by Jackson snd his second.
All during that long days travel the
general was constantly regaled ~ at the
different inns and taverns upon the road
With such evidences of Dickinson's con.
fdence in the result of the duel as strings
hanging from tree boughB with papers
attached stating that they had been cut
by Dickinson's bullet at eight PAGES.
Just before reaching the ground he fred
four balls, each at the word of command,
into silver dollar at the same distance,
and tossed it to the landlord, as be rode
away, with the request that it be
given to General Jackson when he arriv.
ed. The latter's revenge for these cruel
taunts and contemptuous nonchalancs
was even more fercely sweet than poets
dare to fancy, as the sequel will show.
The conditions of the duel were that
the combatants should face each other at
eight PAGES, thereby making the largest
possible target Of their bodies; the pis.
tolls 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 quick
ness and accuracy. Dickinson was not
ouly. marvellous shot in a State noted
for its good marksmep, but he required
no aim, firing at sight, and it was in view
of this that Jackson suddenly horrifsd
his second with the announcement that
he intended holding his FIRE until Dick.
inson had taken bis shot, and all expos.
tulations failed to turned him from this
suicidal course.
The principals reached the ground and
took their positions without evidence of
trepidation on the part ofsither. At thia
stage of affairs bets we're brutally made
by the spectators on the result, as if they
we're at a cooking main or a dog fight,
great odds being placed on Dickinson,
who pointed out to his friends certain
button on Jackson's coat over his heart,
by the side of which be proposed to
place his bullet; and like his friends ea.
gerly bet in his own favor.
"Are you ready?" was asked of each.
"Fire p and Dickinson raised his pistol
and fred. a puff of dust was seen to fly
from Jacksons coat and his left arm was
raised and pressed across his breast, but
otherwise not muscle moved. His
gaunt face became as Whitley set as CHS
eled marble, and his eyes remained fixed
on his antagonist with supernatural
glare.
"My God" cried Dickinson, starting
back and dropping his pistol, shave I
missed him p "Stand up to the markp
shouted Jackson's second, drawing his
pistol. Jackson's pistol arm slowly rose
without tremor, and aiming deliber-
ately he fired. Dickinson fell mortally
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 knoWl.
edge of the wound be kept from the daring
Dickinson, 80 deep was his revenge. At
the time Of the duel Jackson was dressed
in loose. fitting frock coat, and being
very slender man, Dickinson was deceiy.
ed as to the exact location of his heart.
His aim, however, had been perfect, the
ounce ball breaking two ribs, shattering
the breast bone and inAicting wound
from the effects of which Jackson event
ually died twenty years later.
The incident Of this tragic affair,
thoughtfully considered, represent to the
writer's mind the most exalted type Of
physical bravery, devoid though it may
be Of those higher moral qualities which
marked Jackson's subsequent career and
which made his entire life powerful
illustration Of the fact that desperate
courage may make one majority"
Important to Farmers.