The Duel With Dickinson
The duel between General Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson, in which the latter lost his life, occurred May 30, 1806. Historians commonly agree that the feeling between the two men had its inception in remarks made by Dickinson concerning Jackson’s marriage. Dickinson was reputed to have said that Jackson was entitled to great military honors because he had captured another man’s wife. Jackson taxed Dickinson with having made that statement and Dickinson apologized, saying he must have been in his cups at this time. While the incident thus passed, it is manifest that a spirit of animosity was engendered between the two. Being gentlemen, both were adverse to predicating a duel or fight upon a woman’s name. The duel had its ostensible origin in a projected horse race which did not materialize. In 1805 Jackson was the owner of a celebrated horse, Truxton, and in the autumn of that year a match was arranged between Truxton and Ploughboy, a horse owned by Captain Joseph Ervin, father-in-law of Charles Dickinson. The stakes were $2,000 with a provision for a forfeit of $800 should either horse fail to appear. Before the race Ploughboy went lame and was withdrawn, Captain Ervin paying the stipulated forfeit in certain notes. These notes became the subject of controversy in which Dickinson entered. It seems manifest that Jackson believed that Dickinson was a member of a clique in Nashville that wanted to draw him (Jackson) into trouble.
The mock heroic challenge of one Thomas Swann, to which he responded by a public caning of the challenger, Jackson regarded as inspired by Dickinson, and in his letter to Swann (before Swann’s challenge) he charged that Dickinson was the instigator. Dickinson responded, using this language in conclusion: “As to the word ‘coward,’ I think it is as applicable to yourself as to anybody I know. And I shall be very glad when an opportunity serves to know in what manner you give your ‘anodynes,’ and hope you will take in payment one of my most moderate cathartics.” After sending this letter Dickinson left for New Orleans, where he remained four months. In the meantime Jackson had a newspaper controversy with Swann, in which he did not hesitate to connect Dickinson with Swann and to ascribe to them sinister motives. After Dickinson’s return he gave a communication to the press in which he denounced Jackson as “a worthless scoundrel, a poltroon, and a coward.” Jackson immediately challenged Dickinson to a duel, and the challenge was accepted before the day ended. General Thomas Overton was Jackson’s second, and Dr. Hanson Catlet the second for Dickinson. The meeting was arranged for Friday, May 30, 1806, at Harrison Mills on Red River, Logan County, Kentucky, the hour being seven o’clock in the morning. Here is the language of the agreement: “The distance shall be twenty-four feet, the parties facing each other with their pistols down perpendicularly. 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 pledge ourselves to shoot him down instantly. The person to give the word to be determined by lot; also the choice of positions. We mutually agree that the above regulations shall be observed in the affair of honor depending between General Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson, Esq.” The place fixed for the meeting was a long day’s ride from Nashville and the duelists were obliged to start about twenty-four hours in advance of the hour set. Dickinson, in addition to his second, was accompanied by a gay party of friends. On the journey he is said to have performed feats with his pistol, which were related to Jackson and Overton, who followed. After spending the night in neighboring cabins both combatants were on the field at the hour appointed. Overton won the right to give the word. As soon as he called “Fire,” Dickinson shot and the dust arose from Jackson’s coat. While badly wounded, Jackson, with deliberation, aimed and fired, and Dickinson reeled, shot through the body. He died that night. Jackson was hit in the left breast. He suffered from the wound at periods years afterwards.