As a teenager, Jackson was captured by British forces in service of the American cause during the Revolution. Ordered by a British officer to clean his boots, Jackson refused and earned a scar on his head from the officer's saber. This confrontational attitude would serve him well later as a duelist.
Waightsill Avery
Jackson's first duel had its beginnings in the courtroom in 1788. As solicitor or prosecutor for the North Carolina territorial court (later Tennessee) in a civil suit, Jackson went up against Waightsill Avery, a noted Revolutionary veteran and one of the most respected lawyers in North Carolina. In fact, Jackson was turned down by Avery previously for a law internship.
According to historian H.W. Brands, the 21 year old Jackson was overmatched by Avery in the suit. Avery ridiculed Jackson's legal position with sarcasm. In a letter Jackson challenged Avery, "My character you have injured, and further you have insulted me in the presence of a court and a large audience." By the time of the duel, Jackson's temper cooled. Their seconds (assistants) agreed that honor had been achieved. Both deliberately missed with their shots and shook hands.
John Sevier
Fifteen years later, Jackson again tangled with a distinguished veteran. Tennessee governor John Sevier was a self-assured man who blocked Jackson's coveted election as major general of the Tennessee militia. By 1802, Jackson won the major generalship narrowly over then ex-governor Sevier. Then Jackson publicly introduced evidence he discovered of Sevier dealing in forged land warrants. Sevier later burst into Judge Jackson's Knoxville court with a cutlass and demanded a draw. Jackson replied with a challenge of his own. Eventually Virginia was to be the place of satisfaction.
However, the two met prematurely by chance in the West Tennessee Indian country. Jackson dismounted and approached Sevier brandishing a pistol. After some cursing, each holstered their weapons. But the 36 year old Jackson started taunting the 58 year old Sevier and Sevier drew his sword. Jackson went for his pistol and Sevier hid behind a tree. Sevier's son, James, took aim on Jackson and Dr. Thomas Vandyke, Jackson's companion, took aim on James. After more parley, the men withdrew and the scheduled duel never happened.
Charles Dickinson
With Jackson's next duel, the tables were turned- two young lawyers were challenging the nearly forty Jackson. Stemming from a horse racing wager, Thomas Swann told Charles Dickinson that Jackson accused him of double-dealing. Swann demanded satisfaction, but Jackson suspected Dickinson was behind the challenge, "the base, poltroon and cowardly tale-bearer will always act in the background." Swann confronted Jackson in a Nashville tavern and Jackson beat him with a cane.
As arranged, the 25 year old Dickinson and Jackson met at Harrison's Mill, Kentucky for the duel. Dickinson was a fine marksman and Jackson only adequate. Twenty-four feet separated them when the command "fire" was announced. Dickinson fired first and to his amazement, Jackson hardly flinched. Then Jackson fired calmly (after recocking)- the bullet struck Dickinson in the abdoman and he collapsed. As he rode away, Jackson was in pain. Dickinson's bullet had hit near his heart but not fatally. Dickinson died at dusk.
Jackson would carry Dickinson's bullet for the rest of his life, as well as his violent reputation. His political opponents used his dueling past against him, declaring him unfit for the presidency. Jackson participated in affairs of honor to formulate his reputation. For better or worse, his reputation always preceeded him.
Sources
Brands, H.W., Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times, Doubleday: New York, 2005.
Burstein, Andrew, The Passions of Andrew Jackson, Knopf: New York, 2003.
Meacham, Jon, American Lion, Random House: New York, 2008.
