The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-28
From the Baltimore American
President IincOIn's Duel.

Strangely enough, the murder of Mans
field 4. Walworth by his son recalls the |
story of Abraham Lincoln's duel. The
mother of Frank Walworth is the daughter |
of Colonel John j. Hardin, who saved
Mr.. Lincoln from the remorse which would |
have overshadowed hisaslite if he had killed
General Shields. The hostile meeting be-
tween Mr.. Lincoln and General Shields was
brought about in this way A witty young
lady wrote communication for one OF the
Springfield papers, in which there were
several passages which the General was
pleased to consider as personally offensive.
lie was testy Irishman, and had a great
deal of troublesome dignity, and could
never appreciate joke at his own expense.
He forthwith went to the newspaper Office
and demanded the name of the correspond
ent. and this being refused, he gave the
editor three days IN which to make up his
mind either to refer him to the writer or
take whipping himself. The pool, man
was greatly distressed. lie did not Ike to
be guilty Of the ungallant act oil betraylng
his lady correspondent, and he did not care
to have fight with General Shields, who
was much stronger man. In this dilemma
he came to Mr.. Lincoln and told hlm OF ms
trouble. lie said to him: "When Shields
Abe Lincoln wrote that letter." The edi-
tor acted upon the suggestion, and when
the irate politician appeared, ready to carry
his threat into execution, he was politely
requested to call upon Abraham Lioncoln
for satisfaction.
This put q new face on the matter. Gen
eral Shields knew better than to come fool
ing about Mr.. Lincoln with his cane. lie
was at that time great, long armed, mus
cular fellow, good-natured, but resoute,
and when the occasion demanded lie could
deal such blows with his fists as made his
antagonist think that rail-splittlng was his
pastime. IF he had been attacked by Cen
eral Shields, and had supposed that it
would add ANYTHING to the humor OF the
fight. he would have bent his assaiant over
his knee and administered punishment after
the manner of conscientious mothers.
But. after all his threatening and buster,
General Shields could not back out with
out subiecting himself to the ridcule OF
his toWnsmen, so he concluded to chal-
lenee Mr.. Lincoln. The challenge was ac-
cepted, but to the great dismay Of the chal-
leneer. Abraham named long swords as
the weapons. He had no skill in the use Of
the sword, but with his tremendous reach
of arm, and great muscular strength, he
would have cut off General Shields heae
before he got himself into position for ont
of his scientific thrusts. ,.
The time and place OF meeting wer'
agreed upon. Nj. Lincoln went to th'
ground early with his second, and Their
being some bushes in the plat selected 10
the Eight, he set to work to clean them away
with Ratchet. While he was engaged a
this, other gentlemen came on the field
and they were so struck with the ludicrou
scene that they could not refrain fror
laughter. Just then Colonel Hardin ap
peared, and approaching the humorous sit
uation, he appealed to both parties not t
make fools OF themselves, with such eftec
that they went home without fighting. Mr.
Lincoln often said afterward that his part
cipation in this affair was the meanest &C
of his life.