1806 DRAPED BUST 50C, POINTED 6, STEM MS64

Andrew Jackson was known as a relatively volatile man whose interest in politics launched him from the military to the presidency in a matter of a decade. Besides his political fervor, Jackson dedicated his passion to his country and his wife. His dedication to his wife often resulted in several conflicts where he felt he was required to defend her honor. It was his wife’s previous relationship that often sparked the controversy Jackson had to defend; she was not officially divorced from her previous husband before she married Jackson. Ol’ Hickory, a nickname he would obtain later in life, knew of the possible issues before he devoted his life to her and accepted them regardless. Sometimes the conflict would escalate to a point where a duel would be requested, which was still entirely legal at this time. One such event happened in 1806 after a prominent lawyer, Charles Dickinson, slandered his wife to his face. Some say Dickinson, who thought of Jackson as a political thorn, evoked the duel simply to fight Jackson knowing that his marksmanship was far superior to Jackson’s. On the morning of May 30, 1806 the two men met outside of Logan County, Kentucky, prepared with two .70 caliber pistols. Both men were not strangers to dueling protocol as they had both fought in several prior – though this is the only one thoroughly recounted. The men stood twenty-four feet from each other, pistols down, and waited for the signal. Military General, John Overton, was present for the duel and designated to signal the fight. Almost as soon as the signal sounded, Dickinson shot Jackson straight through the chest and despite an exaggerative bellow of smoke coming from his chest, Jackson remained standing. Dickinson is reported to have said, “My God! Have I missed him?” Fortunately for the clever Jackson, he knew he would be able to take a clean shot if he could just survive Dickinson’s first, which proved to be an excellent strategy. After a bracing stagger and a deep breath Jackson readied his pistol and shot his opponent straight in the chest after which he immediately dropped. It turned out Dickinson’s bullet had nearly missed Jackson’s heart but did in fact break some ribs. Dickinson later succumbed to his wounds while Jackson, without removing the bullet, managed to survive for several years after and even served two presidential terms.