Eye-gouging in Antebellum Popular Fiction

Early nineteenth century visitors of the Appalachian frontier were shocked by the violence they encountered. In the antebellum backcountry, a “rough and tumble” fight was the accustomed method for settling even minor disagreements. What made this fighting style unique was the emphasis on maximum disfigurement of the opponent and amid pulling hair, biting off lips, tearing off noses and choking, gouging out an opponent’s eye became the essence of rough and tumble. The popularity of this fighting style was attested by the presence of numerous one-eyed men along the Appalachian frontier and the winners of such fights were celebrated in the region’s oral folklore. The article traces the reflection of this violent phenomenon in various works of antebellum popular fiction, including a series of humorous pamphlets known as Crockett Almanacs which were published between 1835 and 1856.