"In 1842, Lincoln wrote an inflammatory letter about James Shields, who tracked him down and demanded satisfaction. Shields was an excellent marksman, and fighter so Lincoln naturally picked the Cavalry Sabre. A weapon he had virtually no experience with.
Prior to the duel Lincoln who by all accounts was freakishly strong. Casually reached above Shield's head and lopped the limb off a tree. Showing off his height strength and reach. Shields promptly called off the duel.
Lincoln approached him... and apologized for the letter. The two would become fast friends for the rest of their lives. Lincoln would even offer him command of the Army of the South during the Civil War."
Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/duel-104161025/https://archive.org/details/generaljamesshie00castrich/page/718/mode/2up?view=theater
"In 1842, Lincoln wrote an inflammatory letter about James Shields, who tracked him down and demanded satisfaction. Shields was an excellent marksman, and fighter so Lincoln naturally picked the Cavalry Sabre. A weapon he had virtually no experience with.
Prior to the duel Lincoln who by all accounts was freakishly strong. Casually reached above Shield's head and lopped the limb off a tree. Showing off his height strength and reach. Shields promptly called off the duel.
Lincoln approached him... and apologized for the letter. The two would become fast friends for the rest of their lives. Lincoln would even offer him command of the Army of the South during the Civil War."
Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/duel-104161025/https://archive.org/details/generaljamesshie00castrich/page/718/mode/2up?view=theater
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