In 1805 and the spring of 1806, Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson had a series of disagreements. The disagreements ended in a duel between Jackson and Dickinson in which Dickinson died.

 

One argument concerned a horse race scheduled between Jackson’s horse Truxton and a horse owned by Joseph Erwin named Ploughboy in 1805. Dickinson was married to Erwin’s daughter.

 

Ploughboy was not able to run in the race as planned. According to the pre-race agreement, Erwin was supposed to pay Andrew Jackson a forfeit fee of $800. Jackson and Erwin and Dickinson disagreed about how the forfeit money was to be paid.

 

In the midst of the trouble about the horse race, Dickinson publicly said insulting things about Jackson’s wife Rachel. Jackson found out about this. He demanded and received an apology from Dickinson. 

 

Then, Dickinson heard that Jackson was criticizing his father-in-law for not paying the forfeit on the horse race correctly. He sent a friend, Thomas Swann, to find out what was said.  Whether Swann misinterpreted or even misrepresented what was said, this minor misunderstanding flamed into full controversy.

In a confrontation at Winn's Tavern, Jackson struck Swann with his cane and called him a stupid meddler.  Dickinson sent Jackson a letter about the incident at the same time Swann wrote a letter to the newspaper,  calling Jackson a coward.  Jackson responded in the same newspaper saying Swann was a "lying valet for a worthless, drunken, blackguard" meaning Dickinson.

 

That did it for Dickinson who, after he returned from New Orleans in May 1806, published an attack on Jackson calling him "a poltroon and a coward." Jackson had had enough of Dickinson’s public abuse. On May 23, 1806, Jackson wrote a letter challenging Dickinson to a duel.  Dig Deeper: What is a duel?

 

Jackson stated “Your conduct and expressions relative to me of late have been of such a nature and so insulting that requires, and shall have my notice.” He declared “I hope Sir your courage will be an ample security to me, that I will obtain speedily that satisfaction due me for the insults offered….” This was Jackson’s way of saying he hoped Dickinson was brave enough to fight him. Dickinson accepted the challenge.

 

Jackson had a big problem. Dickinson was widely thought to be a very fine marksman, probably the best in the state. It was likely that Jackson would not survive their duel. Jackson and his friend, Thomas Overton, decided that the best strategy was to let Dickinson fire first. They hoped that in Dickinson’s hurry to turn and fire, Jackson’s wound would not be too great. Under dueling rules, Dickinson had to stand still as Jackson fired at Dickinson.  The obvious weakness of this strategy was that Jackson might not be alive to take aim.

 

Since dueling was outlawed in Tennessee, on the appointed morning, the two men and their seconds (friends who agreed to help with the duel) met in Kentucky. Jackson and Dickinson formally paced away from each other until they were about 20 feet apart. One of the seconds shouted “Fire!” 

 

Dickinson shot first, hitting Jackson in the chest, but the bullet missed Jackson’s heart. Then, though in great pain, Jackson carefully aimed and fired at Dickinson. His pistol stopped at half-cock, so he drew back the hammer and fired again. The bullet hit Dickinson in the chest, and he died from blood loss. 

 

Jackson’s wound took a long time to get better and never completely healed. His doctors were afraid to try to remove the bullet because such an operation could cause Jackson’s death. The bullet remained in his body for the rest of his life. 

Locals were outraged that Dickinson had to stand defenseless while Jackson shot him, even though it was acceptable under the rules. Jackson did have the option of shooting up in the air or only to wound Dickinson which would was considered sufficient satisfaction.  Jackson was highly criticized for killing him. Jackson replied that Dickinson had meant to "kill the genl" (Jackson) so Jackson had also to shoot to kill. Jackson's reputation suffered greatly from the duel.