Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-06-19
miscellaneous. q
Lincoln's Duel.

Ssa"hSciy cuoWSus tuC iHutueT Vi
Mansfield T. Walworth by his son re-
calls the story OF Abraham Lincoln's
duel. The mother of Frank Walworth
is the daughter of Col. John J. Hardin,
who saved Mr.. Lincoln from the re-
morse which would have overshadowed
his life if he had killed Gen. Shields.
Col. Hardin was prominent Whig
politician, and was esteemed "the
bravest man in Illinois," He was
killed at the battle Of Buena Vista,
and in his death fairly earned the dis
tinction which his admiring friends had
given him while living. Mr.. Lincoln
was his intimate friend, and both men
were gifted with large sense of hu-
NOR which they turned TO good ac-
count.
The hostile meeting between 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. He was testy
lrishman, who had great deal Of
troublesome dignity, and could never
appreciate a joke at his own expense.
He forthwith went TO the newspaper
office, and demanded the name of tine
correspondent, and this being refused,
he gave the editor three days in which
70 make up his mind, either to refer
him TO the writer, or to take a whip
ping himself. The poor man was
greatly distressed. lie did not like to
be guilty of the ungallant act of be-
traying his lady correspondent, and he
did not care 70 have fight with Gen.
Shi"ids who was a mnrh stronger man.
In this dilemma he came to Mr.. Lin
coin and told him Of his trouble. The
lawyer took the matter into considera-
ton, but he could think of no strata.
gem for the relief of his friend. At
last he said TO him, when Shields
comes around with his club, tell him
that Abe Lincoln wrote that letter."
The editor acted upon the suggestion,
and when the irrate politician appear
ed, ready TO carry his threat into exc
cution, he was politely requested to
call upon Abraham Lincoln for salts
faction.
This put new face on the matter.
General Shields knew better than TO
come fooling about Mr.. Lincoln with
his cane. He was at that time great,
long-armed, muscular fellow, good
natured, but resolute, and when the
occasion demanded he could deal such
blows with his fists as made his antag-
onists think that rail splitting was his
pastime. he had been attacked by
General Shields, and had supposed
that it would add anything 10 the hu-
NOR Of the fight, he would have bent
his assailant over his knee and admin
istered punishment after the manner of
conscientious mothers. But after a Ii
his threatening and buster, General
Shields could not back out wi thout
subjecting himself to the ridicule of
his tOwnsmen, SO he concluded to chal-
lenge Mr.. Lincoln. The challenge
was accepted, but to the great dismay
of the challenger 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
OFT Gen. Shields head before he got
himself into position for one of its
scientific thrusts.
The time and place of meeting were
agreed upon. Mr.. Lincoln went to
the ground early with his second, and
there being some bushes in the plat Sc
lected for the fight, he set to work to
clear them away with a hatchet.-
While he was engaged at this other
gentlemen came on the field, and
they were so struck with the ludicrous
scene that they could not refrain from
laughter. Just then Col. Hardin ap-
peared, and appreciating the humor-
GUS situation, he applealed to both par
ties not to make fools Of themselves
with such effect that they went home
without fighting. Mr.. Lincoln often
said afterwards that his participation
in this affair was the meanest act of
his life.
Colonel Hardin, although peace
maker on this occasion, was q man of
great courage and most chivalrous
bearing. At the breaking out of the
Mexican war he was put in command
Of the FIRST Illinois Volunteers, and
died on the battlefield Of Buena Vista,
as already stated.