The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-26
, HR. LIHOoLHv DUEL.
" W, aud tho following "a the San Fran

we nnU tho IOilOWIuB iU u'o oo"
cisco Bdlain, from correspondent:
Tf At the ,inic aliudetf to, Gen. Shields, Mr..
Lincolu and Mary Tod,l, the anlnnced NJ
H.. Lincoln, wsrs III residents % Spring.
field. Gen. Shields hal just rsturped from
the Mexican war. His public OF private !iie
had not been OF tho highest Standing, hut
being Of . hsugtty nature. Ind looklng with
somc degree Of disdain upon's Honest Abe,'
he sought on ono occasion TO force Miss
Todd 10 accept his company, during which
time something occurred which gave her
great offence. She wrote q severe and sar-
castle article, accompanied bya piece Of
poetry, all Of which was most scathing
and cutting rebukc to Gen. Shields, and
handed Il to Mr.. Lincoln to have il pub.
lished in the Springfield paper. mr. fAn.
coin hesitsted liule, hut having confidence
in his judgment and good sense to manage
sach an affair, he took il to the editor, en-
joined the strictest sccrcsy, and Il was pub
lished. Il was q lal'orcd comment upon
much OF Shields public No we'll ~ private
career, and he writhcd like chained tiger
under the goad. Although his name was
not mentioned, everything pointed directly
to him, and he sought by every means TO
find out tho authors name. AZ last he
threatened tho editor with immediate prose.
cution if he did not disclose Il to him, and
give him but a short time for reply.
The editor went to Mr.. Lincoln's Office,
laid il before him, and asked his advice
Mr.. Lincoln sat moment IN deep study,
and then. with his characteristic GOODNESS,
said: "Tell Shields Al,s Lincoln wrote that
nrticlc." The editor repaired to his office,
where he found Shields in waiting. and
when he heard the information, he vowed
vengeance upon the " country pettiIoggcr." !"
Mr.. Lincoln waited tho rrsuk with agood
deal of anxiety, expecting a personal en-
counter with Shields the first time they met,
but instead he Immediately received chal.
lenge to fight duel. This was uncxpcc-
tod TO Mr.. Lincoln, but not doubling his
ability to still bring the matter to a pleasant
issue, he proceeded with the affnir. But |
will use his own languages In relating Il alcr.
wards. He said; 81 thought " ! should
fail. after leading tho General along ms Tar
"a could on his road Of honor, and
Shields being a small man and very tall
with exceedingly long arms. sword would
servc mo as well as anything, and chose
long sworis rs the weapons
Everything being arranged tho parties
met, AMI when the final issue was st'out 10
come, Shields being perfectly incorrigible
and Mr.. Lincoln seeing there was no alter
native, looked Shields earnestly In the face
and saitl: = O.. r..rr-o gr"'' H.' 2r'
!" Shields, do you know who wrote that
article ?" -, s..,.,-.,,,.-.,.-,,.,,'.
FT. Did you do III" said Shields. -
." No, May Todd wrote Il" said Mr.. Lin.
coin, with smile upon his counteunnco.
The friends present burst into roar Of
laughter, joined by Mr.. Lincoln. 10 a few
memens Shields stepped forward, gave Mr..
Lincoln his hand aud joined in the merri.
meht 80 ,..., I'D ~
Thus ended Mr.. Lincoln . duel. Hesoon
had nm Interview with Mary Todd, who had
known nothing Of the affair, related tho cir.
cumstsnces TO her, nrh sought her pardon
for finally disclosing her nams. or course
hc was forgiven.. To, Shields the afiair was
ever aftsrward annoying, but to Lincoln.
with his quick sense Of tho ridiculous and
the nice appreciation Of humor no charuc'
teristic Of tho man the whole affair was a
laughable one when referred 70 in after
years. '.'...i. ...t 'H. ...