The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-07-19

MISCELLANY.
MIR. Lzneoln,s Duel,

d n
We find the following in the San Francisco
Bulletin, from a correspondent: aq
At the time alluded to, Gen. Shields, Mr..
Lincoln and Mary Todd, the affianced of Mr..
Lincoln, were all residents of Springfield.
Gen. Shields had just returned from the Mex
lean war. His public or private life had not
been OF the highest standing, but being of a
naughty nature, and looking with some de.
gree OF disdain upon "Honest Abe" he sought
on one occasion to force Miss Todd to accept
his company, during which time something
occurred which gave her great offence She
wrote severe and sarcastic article, accompa-
MED by piece OF poetry all Of which was a
most scathing and cutting rebuke to Gen.
Shields and handed il to Mr. Lincoln to have
1t published in the Springfield paper Mr..
Lincoln hesitated little, but having conf
dence in his judgment and good sense to
manage such an affair, he took it to the edi-
tor, enjoined the strictest secresy, and it was
published. 1t was abored comment upon
much OF Shields public as well as private ca
reer, and he writhed like chained tiger un-
der the goad. Although his name was not
mentioned, everything pointed directly to
him, and he sought by every means to find
out the authors name. At last he threaten
ed the editor with immediate prosecution if
he did not disclose it to him, and gave him
but short time for reply.
Inc editor went to Mr.. Lincoln's Office,
laid it before him, and asked his advice Mr..
Lincoln sat moment in deep study, and
then, with his characteristic GOODNESS, said /:
"'Tell Shields Abe Lincoln wrote that article"
The editor repaired to his Office, where he
found Shields in waiting, and when he heard
the Information, he vowed vengeance upon
the country pettfogger." Mr.. Lincoln
waited the result with good deal of anxiety,
expecting personal encounter with Shields
the first time they met, but instead he imme-
dlately received challenge to fight duel
This was unexpected to Mr. Lincoln but not
doubling his ability to still bring the matter
to pleasant issue, he proceeded with the af-
fair. BuG will use his own language in re-
lating il afterwards He said Il thought if
should fail, after leading the General along
as far as l could on his road of '.honor",
and Shields being small man and / very
tall with exceedingly long arms, sword would
serve me as we'll as anything, and l chose
long swords as the weapons"
everything being arranged the parties met.
and When the final issue was about to come.
Shields being perfectly incorrigible and Mr..
Lincoln seeing there was no alternative. look
ed Shields earnestly in the face and said:
shields, do you know who wrote that ar
tice?'
ibid you do it?" said Shields.
mo, Mary Todd wrote it, said Mr.. Lin
coin, with smile upon his countenance.
The friends present burst into roar of
laughter, joined by Mr.. Lincoln. In few
moments Shields stepped forward, gave Mr.
Lincoln bis hand and Joined in the merri-
ment.
Thus ended Mr.. Lincoln's duel. He soon
had an interview with Mary Todd, who had
known nothing of the affair, related the cir
eumstances to her, and sought her pardon for
finally disclosing her name Ofcourse he was
forgiven. To Shields the affair was ever alter
ward annoying, but to Lincoln, with his quick
sense OF the ridiculous and the nice apprecia-
ton OF hunor SO characteristic of the man
tn. Whole affair was a laughable one whca re-
ferred TO in after years. r. T