Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-06-14
A FAMOUS DUEL.
Goodness and Bravery Displayed by Gen.
Andrew Jackson.


Andrew Jackson.
The Philadelphia Press offered q
prize for the best story Of personal
bravery. The following is one of the
contributions: have considered the
famous duel in 1906, between Gen.
Andrew Jackson, afterward president
of the United States, and Charles
Dickinson, Of Nashville, Tenn, as an
unparalleled exhibition of courage
and fortitude on the part of the for
mer.
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 opponent. The cause of the duel
is immaterial here, but Jackson being
the challenging party pistols were Of
course named by Dickinson. and the
distance eight PAGES.
The dueling ground lay a good
days journey from Nashville, and
early upon the appointed day Dickin-
son set forth accompanied by a chosen
party of sporting friends, and was fol-
lowed few hours later by Jackson
and his second.
All during that long days travel
the general was constantly RECALLED 90
at the different inns and taverns upon
the road with such evidences of Dick
inson's confidence in the result of the
duel as strings hanging from tree
boughs with papers attached stating
that they had been cut by Dickinsons
bullet at eight PAGES. Just before
reaching the ground ne fired four
balls, each at the word of command,
into a silver dollar at the same dis
lance, and tossed it to the landlord as
he rode away, with the request that it
be given to Gen. jackson when he ar
rived. The latters revenge for these
cruel taunts and contemptuous non
chalance 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 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 i'll the greatest
degree quickness and accuracy. Dick
inson was not only marvellous shot
in a state noted for its good marks
men, but he required no aim, firing at
sight, and it 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.
The principals reached the ground
and took their positions without evil
dence of trepidation on the part of
either. At this stage of affairs bets
were brutally made by the spectators
Oh the result, as if they were at a
cooking main or 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 he proposed
to put his bullet; and, like his friends,
eagerly bet i'll his own favor.
Are you readyl" was asked of
each. Fire and Dickinson raised
his pistol and fired. A puff of dust
was seen to fly from Jackson's coat
and his left arm was raised and press
ed across his breast, but otherwise not
a muscle moved. His gaunt face be-
came as Whitley set as chiseled mar
bic, and his eyes remained fixed ON
his antagonist with a supernatural
glare.
My GodI' cried Dickinson, start
ing back and dropping his pistol,
have missed himl" Stand up to
the mark |" shouted Jackson's second,
drawing his pistol. Jackson's pistol
arm slowly rose without tremor,
and aiming deliberately he fired
Dickinson fell MORALLY wounded.
The general Immediately walked
away, followed by his second and the
surgeon.
They had proceeded but short dis
lance when the surgeon observed that
one OF Jackson's shoes was filed with
blood. Then nature gave way, but
not until he had demanded that all
knowledge of the wound would be
kept from the daring Dickinson, SO
deep was his revenge. AT the time OF
the duel Jackson was dressed in
loose fitting frock coat, and being a
very slender man, Dickinson was de-
ceived as to the exact location of his
heart. His aim, however. had been
perfect, the ounce ball breaking two
ribs, SCATTERING the breast bone and
intlicting wound from the effects of
which jackson eventually died.
The incidents 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 Jack
sons subsequent career and which
made his entire life powerful illus
tration of the fact that desperate
courage may make one a majority. -