02-27-2025 - On This Day in Insane History

On February 27, 1827, a peculiar legal battle erupted in Charleston, South Carolina that would become one of the most bizarre dueling incidents in American history. Thomas Waring and Dr. Andrew Barry Robertson, two prominent local gentlemen, found themselves embroiled in a conflict that would push the boundaries of social etiquette and legal absurdity.

The dispute began over a seemingly trivial matter: Robertson had published a scathing newspaper article criticizing Waring's character. Instead of responding with a typical written rebuttal, Waring chose the time-honored Southern tradition of challenging Robertson to a duel. However, this was no ordinary confrontation.

When the two men met at the predetermined dueling ground, Robertson arrived with an extraordinary defense mechanism: a specially designed, oversized coat lined with multiple layers of padding. As Waring took aim, Robertson's elaborate protective garment essentially transformed him into a human bulletproof vest of sorts.

The first shot rang out, and miraculously, Robertson remained unscathed. The padded coat had successfully deflected the bullet, rendering Waring's attempt completely ineffective. This farcical moment highlighted the increasingly ridiculous nature of the dueling culture that dominated Southern social interactions during the early 19th century.

The incident became legendary in Charleston, symbolizing both the absurdity of honor-based conflicts and the creative lengths to which individuals would go to preserve their reputation—or in Robertson's case, his very life.