This had the potential to be a very satisfying horse
race. Thomas Harney remembered how Captain Erwin and his son-in-law had boasted
that their horse would triumph over Jackson’s in a “fair” race.
2 “You aren’t afraid to put him up against Ploughboy,
are you?” Charles Dickinson had taunted. “I’ll make the arrangements for us to
meet at Clover Bottom,” Andrew Jackson had replied.
3 Everyone knew that Truxton was much faster than
Ploughboy. Erwin and Dickinson later realized that the challenge had been a
mistake and had unsuccessfully tried to wriggle out of the commitment.
4 It was a fine April day, and a small crowd had
formed along the racetrack to watch the two horses compete. Thomas Harney was
excited, but he was also a little apprehensive about the race. Jackson had
confided to him a few minutes ago that Truxton had injured himself during a
training run.
5 Thomas had been so confident of victory earlier in
the week that he had promised his fifteen-year-old son, James, that he could
accompany him to the proceedings. “I would really enjoy seeing those two have
to eat humble pie!” He confided to his son. James shook his head and smiled.
6 James Robertson raised his pistol into the air, and
the crowd fell silent. He fired the weapon, and the horses lunged down the
track. Everyone began cheering and urging their favorite on to greater effort.
7 In a few moments, however, it was over. Truxton
handily won the race. Thomas and James rushed to join the small coterie that
had formed around Andrew Jackson to offer their congratulations.
8 As Charles Dickinson approached his rival, the crowd
parted in order to afford him an opportunity to congratulate Jackson. Instead,
Dickinson stopped short and stood there without saying a word or extending his
hand.
9 His face, however, barely contained the anger and
contempt that had welled up inside of him. “Well, I would imagine that you are
pleased that your insistence on having this race has resulted in a triumph for
you,” he finally said.
10 “I am pleased that Truxton finished so well,”
Jackson answered. “You will receive your winnings, Sir,” Dickinson began. “And
you will take such satisfaction as you may derive from them; but everyone
should know that you are the lowest kind of coward, and that you are married to
an infamous bigamist!” Jackson’s face turned red, and his hand trembled as he
raised it to point at Dickinson.
11 “I demand that you provide me with an opportunity
for satisfaction, Sir,” Jackson challenged. “At your convenience, Sir,”
Dickinson responded.
12 Robertson tugged at Jackson’s sleeve and whispered
in his ear. “Don’t do it, General. He’s one of the best shots in the state!”
Robertson then addressed everyone present: “The great state of Tennessee does
not permit such proceedings to take place on its soil!”
13 “We can meet at Harrison’s Mill in Kentucky at the
end of May,” Jackson said with cool determination. “Will that be acceptable to
you, Mr. Dickinson?” he asked. “I look forward to the opportunity to meet with
you there,” Dickinson said with a satisfied look on his face. Then he turned
and walked away.
14 On the 30th day of the following month,
the two men and their supporters gathered on the banks of the Red River for a
duel. Thomas and James were there too. The tension in the morning air was
palpable, and Thomas was beginning to regret his decision to allow James to
witness the affair.
15 Jackson and Dickinson each held a .70 caliber
pistol in their hands and stood facing each other with less than thirty feet
separating them. “Quiet please!” General Overton began. “You gentlemen are
familiar with the particulars and will be expected to conduct yourselves
accordingly. Let the duel begin!”
16 Dickinson raised his pistol and took aim at Andrew
Jackson’s heart. He fired. When the smoke cleared, Jackson was still standing.
“Good God! Did I miss him?” Dickinson asked.
17 Jackson stood there calmly looking at his opponent
as the blood trickled from the wound in his chest that was concealed beneath
his coat and ran down into one of his boots. In accordance with tradition, the
other man stood in place without moving.
18 Jackson slowly raised his own pistol and took aim
at Dickinson's chest and squeezed the trigger. It locked at half-cock, but
Jackson quickly recocked his pistol and pulled the trigger again. This time,
the pistol fired, and Dickinson fell to the ground.
19 “General, you’re hurt!” young James screamed as he
pointed at the bright red spot that was growing on Jackson’s pant leg. The two
men were quickly loaded into wagons and removed from the field.
20 Although Jackson would later recover from the
ordeal, he would carry the bullet next to his heart for the remainder of his
life. Charles Dickinson died later that same evening.
21 “Try to avoid duels and pistols, son,” Thomas told
him that night at supper. “I will, father,” he promised. “I will never forget
what I witnessed today.”
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