quote:
Hamilton did fire his weapon intentionally, and he fired first. But he aimed to miss Burr, sending his ball into the tree above and behind Burr's location. The bullet only skimmed Burr's ear. In so doing, he did not withhold his shot, but he did waste it, thereby honoring his pre-duel pledge. Meanwhile, Burr, who did not know about the pledge, did know that a projectile from Hamilton's gun had whizzed past him and crashed into the tree to his rear. According to the principles of the code duello, Burr was perfectly justified in taking deadly aim at Hamilton and firing to kill.

also, burr was a notorious bad shot, so historians think it's entirely plausible he too aimed to miss, however, accidentally struck hamilton. which would explain the remorse shown after the fatal shot:

quote:
According to Pendleton's account, Hamilton collapsed immediately, dropping the pistol involuntarily, and Burr moved toward Hamilton in a speechless manner (which Pendleton deemed to be indicative of regret) before being hustled away behind an umbrella by Van Ness because Hosack and the rowers were already approaching

This post was edited on 2/5/14 at 3:53 pm

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Posted by therick711

South

Member since Jan 2008

25320 posts

Posted on 2/5/14 at 3:54 pm to TH03

Burr claimed the shot buzzed his ear and struck a tree behind him. While some believe that story because his second backs it up, knowing Burr's reputation, I tend to side with those that account that Hamilton fire well above Burr as per their pre-duel agreement. Hamilton would have done well to waste his shot in the ground as was standard, then to rely on an agreement with Burr's people.

I could actually buy that Burr hit Hamilton by mistake, but at the end of the day, the result in terms of death and with regard to one's honor is the same without regard to malice or intent.

This post was edited on 2/5/14 at 3:57 pm

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