Andrew Jackson

 Andrew Jackson

In terms of personal bravery and fighting abilities, Old Hickory is, by far, one of the more intimidating Presidents in American history. Some highlights of his life include joining a militia at age thirteen during the American Revolution.  He became a captive during the war and refused to clean a British officer’s boots, which earned him a slash from a sword that permanently scarred his hand and head.

Decades later, he served as a colonel, and then major general, in Tennessee’s militia.  In 1806, following an incident where Jackson struck a man named Thomas Swan with a can, a friend of Swan named Charles Dickinson (not the author) insulted Jackson in a newspaper statement. This caused Jackson to challenge Dickinson, a skilled marksman, to a duel. Jackson allowed Dickinson to fire first, and the challenged shooter indeed hit Jackson near the heart.  Although the bullet broke some of Jackson’s ribs, Jackson wore clothing and stood in such a way that Dickinson would not manage to hit his target as intended. Jackson then took aim, and fatally shot his foe in the chest.

Jackson next became a national hero for his victories at the battles of Horseshoe Bend (1814) and New Orleans (1815) in the War of 1812.  He continued his military service in the First Seminole War, during which his enemies called him “Sharp Knife” for his brutal tactics.  He ultimately became military governor of Florida by 1821.  After having amassed a career of military glory, Jackson became America’s seventh President, serving from 1829 to 1837.

Yet, his violent history did not stop there.  In 1835, an insane man attempted to shoot Jackson, but both of his pistols misfired, causing Jackson to attack his attempted assassin with a cane until the failed assassin was restrained.