Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-08-02
A Story Of Mr.. LinoOln's Duel.
We have before heard of the following
story, which appears in the correspond
euce OF. the San rancisco P71IIatfT


story, which appears in the correspond
ence Of the San Francisco Bulletin:
General Shields, Mr.. Lincoln and Mary
Todd, the affianced of Mr.. lincoln, were all
residents Of Springfield. General Shields
had Just returned from the Mexican war
His public or private life had not been of the
nlgne6C standing, but being Of q naughty ma
ture, and looking with some degree of dis
daln upon honest ABe,' he sought on one
OCCASION TO 1ofce MISS TODD 70 accept ms
company, during which something occurred
which gave her great offence. She wrote q.
severe and sarcastic article, accompanied by
piece Of poetry all of which was most
Scathing and cutting Tebuke to Gen. Shields
and handed it to Mr. Lincoln to have it pub
lished in the Springfield paper. Mr.. Lincoln
hesitated a little, but having confidence in
MS Judgment and good sense to manage such
an a1alrg he took IL to the editor, enjOiued
1t was a labOred comment on much of Gen.
Shield g public as well as private career, and
ne Wr1thed ike chained tiger under the
gOad. Although his name was not mention
ed everything pointed directly to him, and
authors maine. At last isis-- ne Ehreatened ned the
editor with immediate prosecution if he did
not disclose Il to him, and gave him but a
"The editor went to Mr.. Lincoln's ONCE,
laid the whole matter before him, and asked
deep study and then with his characteris-
tic GOODNESS, said, Tel Shields Abe Lincoln
wrote that article The editor repaired to
his office, where he found Shields in waiting
and when he heard the information vowed
vengeance upon the country pettifOneT.''-
Mr. Lincoln waited the result with a good
deal OF anxiety, expecting a personal en-
counter with Shields the INST time they met,
but instead he Immediately received q chal-
lenge to fight duel. This was unexpected
to Mr.. Lincoln, but not doubling his ability
70 still bring the matter to q pleasant issue. he
proceeded with the affair. But will use
his own language in relating It afterwards
He said: 81 thought II I should fail after
leading the General along as fsr as I could
on ms road of honor" and Shields being
small man and very tall; with exceedingly
long arms, thought sword would serve
me as well as anything, and i chose long
swords as the weapons
Everything being arranged, the parties
met, ana when the nnaI issue was about to
come, shields being perfectly incOrTigible,
and Mr.. Lincoln seeing there was no other
aIGernat1vei looked Shields earnestly In the
face and said
" Shields, do you want to know who
wrote that article2'
" Did you do it p said Shields.
No; Mary Todd wrote it, said Mr. Lin
coin, with smile upon his cOuntenanee.
"Ibe friends present burst into a roar Of
laughter, Joined by Mr.. Lincoln. In a few
moments Shields stepped forward, gave Mr.,
ment.
Thus ended Mr.. Lineoln's duel. He soon
nttd an interview with Mary Todd, who had
knOWn nothing of the affair related the
circumstances to her, and sought her pardon
for finally disclosing her name. OF course
ever afterWard annoying, but to Mr.. Lin
cOln5 with his quick sense of the ridiculous
and the nice appreciation of humOr so char
acteT1stlc of the man, the whole affair was
ever 1aughable one when referred to in ar
ter years