How Jackson Won His Duel
His opponent was Charles Dickinson. An
unusual rule in connection with the coinhat
was instrumental in saving Jackson's life.
Mention has been made in The
State in recent issues about some of
the duels that have been fought in
North Carolina. I am inclined to be¬
lieve that one of the most sensational
and best-known duels was that which
took place between Andrew Jackson
and Charles Dickinson on May 30.
1806.
Dickinson was the aggressor. He
deliberately provoked Jackson by
making several disparaging remarks
which were promptly reported. Jack-
son. with characteristic impetuosity, im¬
mediately challenged him to a duel.
Andrew Jackson unquestionably was
America's most picturesque president.
No other chief executive was so vali¬
ant, courageous and defiant: the life
of no other president was so thrilling,
so chequered or so unique.
His challenge was promptly accept¬
ed. Dickinson publicly gloated over
the fact that he had tricked Jackson
into the duel. He bet S500 that he
would kill Jackson with his first shot.
This, too, was repeated. Jackson
merely said: "I will kill him, even if
he shoots me through the brain."
Dickinson was a famous duelist:
probably the most famous of his day
and time. He was a marksman, who
never missed his aim and who had
been victorious in numerous "affairs
of honor."
Dickinson Bragged Freely
The details of the duel were ar¬
ranged and the time was fixed. While
traveling to the meeting place. Dickin¬
son exploited his marksmanship in sev¬
eral ways at a tavern and requested
that specimens of his skill should be
shown Jackson when he passed that
way. Having cut by his bullet a slen¬
der cord at twenty-five paces, he left
it dangling from a tree with instruc¬
tions: "Let Jackson see that." Against
another tree he placed a board and —
also at twenty-five paces, he fired sev¬
eral shots through the board, the bul¬
lets leaving only one hole therein. "And
show him that, too!" he commanded,
By
С.
T. WALKER
as he resumed his way to the duelling
ground.
If these demonstrations had any ap¬
preciable effect on Jackson, it was not
so indicated when the two men con¬
fronted each other.
The agreement between the seconds
provided that the distance at which
the men should fire be fixed at 24
feet. And here was another important
detail: the agreement provided that the
parties should hold their pistols down
perpendicularly. When they were ready,
the single word. "Fire!" was to be
given.
The provision that the weapons
should be held downward was
unusual. It saved Jackson’s life. The
suggestion was made by his second —
General Thomas Overton, and its sig¬
nificance escaped Dickinson in the
latter's cocksuredncss of results. Dick¬
inson's unvarying manner of firing was
to raise the weapon at arm's length
above his head and then quickly lower
it to the proper aim. Under the agree¬
ment, however, he was now compelled
either to reverse his manner of firing,
or else first raise the gun overhead and
then lower it again, thereby giving
Jackson more time.
Jackson Withheld His Fire
Notwithstanding the advantage which
this would give Jackson, he and
Overton anxiously considered whether
it would be best for Jackson to attempt
to fire first. They finally decided in the
negative. Jackson was much slower at
taking aim than Dickinson, and al¬
though it appeared certain that Jackson
would be hit. he and Overton de¬
cided to lake the risk of being killed or
wounded rather than miss the oppor¬
tunity of taking deliberate aim and thus
be better assured of a chance to kill
Dickinson. Of course. Dickinson knew
nothing about this decision. He natural¬
ly presumed that he would have to get
his gun in position with lightning speed
in order to fire first.
Dickinson's second won the choice
of positions and it fell to Overton to
give the signal to fire. Here is Parton's
account of this thrilling event:
"Gentlemen, are you ready?" asked
Overton.
"I am ready," replied Dickinson.
"I am ready,” said Jackson.
" Fire
Г
Dickinson raised and lowered his
pistol quickly and fired. Overton saw
a pufT of dust fly from the breast of
Jackson's coat. He also saw Jackson
raise his arm and place it tightly across
his breast.
But Jackson stood erect and grim,
his teeth clinched, raising his pistol
slowly. Dickinson, amazed at the un¬
wonted effect of his aim apparently
appalled at the sight of the figure be¬
fore him. unconsciously recoiled a pace
or two.
"Back to your mark!" shrieked Over-
ton. raising his own pistol.
Dickinson recovered his composure,
stepped forward to the peg and stood
with his eyes averted from Jackson.
For a moment there was deathly si¬
lence. Jackson took deliberate aim and
pulled the trigger.
The Gun Missed Fire
The pistol neither snapped nor went
off. Jackson looked at the trigger and
saw that it had stopped at half-cock.
He slowly drew the hammer back to
its place. A second time he elevated the
gun to shooting position. He sighted
carefully along the barrel. His finger
pressed against the trigger and the
roar of the shot reverberated over the
quiet spot.
Dickinson reeled. His friends caught
him in their arms and leaned him
against a bush. They stripped off most
of his clothing. The blood was gushing
from his side. The bullet had passed
through the body below the ribs.
Such a wound was bound to be fatal.
Jackson had walked a hundred
yards away from the spot, with never
another glance in the direction of the
fallen man. He was accompanied by
Overton and a surgeon when it was
( Continued on from page 17)
THE STATE. APRIL 7. 1951
