Wednesday, May 30, 2007

This day in history: May 30

1806 - Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after the man had accused Jackson's wife of bigamy.

Charles Dickinson (1780-May 30, 1806), was a 19th century American and nationally famous duelist. An expert marksman, Dickinson's dueling career included 26 kills before it was ended at the hands of future President Andrew Jackson

A duel was set up between the two. Jackson attempted to fire, but his pistol misfired. Dickinson then proceeded to shoot, and Jackson took one ball in the ribs. Without wavering, Jackson then fatally wounded Dickinson with a .70-caliber shot to his middle, severing an artery, technically breaking the rules of the duel. He died a few hours later, the only man Jackson ever killed in any of his 103 duels.

Ahh, the good old days, before lawyers took control and turned suing into a national pasttime. If I had to fight a pistol duel today, give me the weapon that the kid who shot the steroidal wild hog used.

Andrew Jackson, one kill in 103 duels---sounds like he should have been sent down to the minors, that's an awful percentage.

3 comments:

jonathan said...

Sounds more like he was quite a shot. To shoot that many without killing is quite a feat.

He managed to survive all twenty three times. A 1.000 batting average will get you on any MLB team ;D

Mercy Now said...

How can he lived through 102 duals? I mean his chances are prob 50/50 which means 51 or so wounds min. I think it's more of a fable because he became president.

I was having a conversation w/ a couple of friends and fella A said he bought such and such for $1,000. Half hour goes buy and the fella B was telling someone else that fella A bought that item for $10,000. I then corrected him.

So our grandchildren will say that Andrew Jackson had 1300 duals:o)

Gino said...

what matters:
a real man stood up like a real man should, his life on the line,
to defend the honor of his woman.

if he were running today, i'd vote for him no matter what his policy positions were.