Abraham Lincoln’s Duel

Summary

History Daily – "Abraham Lincoln’s Duel"

Date Aired: September 22, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Podcast Production: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

---

Overview

In this episode, host Lindsey Graham takes listeners back to September 22, 1842—the day Abraham Lincoln nearly fought a deadly duel with political rival James Shields. The episode expertly weaves the tale of their heated dispute, bringing to life the escalating feud through vivid storytelling, before illustrating how this moment of youthful recklessness ultimately influenced the future of the United States, especially twenty years later during the Civil War and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Historical Stage

• The Civil War Connection:
  The episode opens in 1862, amidst the American Civil War, with Brigadier General James Shields being wounded in battle while fighting for the Union—showcasing his devotion to President Lincoln, a sharp reversal from their adversarial beginnings.

  • “For years, the two men were not on the same side and did not always see things eye to eye. Long before Shields fought to protect Lincoln, the President, he attempted to kill Lincoln, the budding politician.” (01:32)

• Flashback to 1842:
  Graham draws a direct line back to two decades earlier, posing the dramatic premise: Lincoln and Shields were on the verge of resolving a personal feud with deadly consequences.

---

2. The Origin of the Feud & The Escalation

Anonymous Newspaper Letters:

• In 1842, Abraham Lincoln, under the pseudonym "Rebecca," and with the assistance of his fiancée Mary Todd, harshly criticized Shields’ fiscal policies in the local press, mocking both his politics and personal character.
• Shields demanded to know the identity of the author, and the truth was revealed by newspaper editor Simeon Francis.
  • “Lincoln left him explicit instructions not to hide that he was the author of the letters, if anybody inquired.” (05:21)

Honorable Demands and Evasion:

• Shields, incensed, demanded an apology by letter—delivered by his friend John D. Whiteside—to Lincoln at a courthouse. Lincoln, however, used clever rhetoric to avoid, neither confirming nor denying authorship, insisting on more "gentlemanly" correspondence before he would respond.
  • “He hasn’t admitted to writing the letters, but he hasn’t denied it either.” (07:37)
  • John: “Do you deny you are the author of the letters, sir? The editor of the paper says you are.” (07:49)

Threat of a Duel:

• The spat escalated. Shields eventually issued a challenge: retract or face him on the field of honor. Lincoln would not back down, and preparations began for a duel.
  • “Over the next four days, Lincoln and Shields will continue to bicker by letter. Each will try to claim the moral high ground. And eventually a frustrated Shields will demand that Lincoln retract his allegations or face a duel. Lincoln will refuse to back down...” (08:24)

---

3. The Duel on Bloody Island

Logistics and Strategy:

• Location: Lincoln chose Bloody Island in the Mississippi River, a notorious dueling ground which skirted state jurisdictions, thus avoiding legal repercussions.
• Weapons: As the challenged party, Lincoln had the right to choose the weapons. He picked cavalry broadswords, favoring his height and reach.
  • “With a 7 inch height advantage, Elias knows Lincoln will have the longer reach with a sword.” (12:19)
  • Lincoln demonstrates his advantage with a theatrical swing, severing a branch above Shields’ head, sending a clear message of dominance without violence. (13:12)

The Resolution:

• Seconds and mutual friends intervene, recognizing the folly of the feud.
  • “The quarrel is out of control and nobody wants to see blood spilled today. He suggests that now might be a good time for the two dueling parties to reconsider their options.” (14:30)
• An agreement is brokered:
  • Shields’ friend retracts the inflammatory letter.
  • Lincoln agrees to apologize for any unintended offense.
  • Both men step down, alive and unharmed.
• “Elias can sense the relief in Lincoln now that the matter has been resolved to both men’s satisfaction.” (15:12)

---

4. Aftermath and Historical Impact

From Foes to Colleagues:

• The old adversaries put aside their differences. Shields later becomes a U.S. Senator for Illinois and Minnesota, while Lincoln’s own career catapults him to the presidency.
• During the Civil War, Lincoln enlists Shields as a Brigadier General for the Union, the two working together for a cause much greater than their earlier spat.
  • “Together, the two former adversaries will fight for a Union victory.” (16:26)

A Momentous Coincidence:

• On September 22, 1862—twenty years to the day after the duel—Lincoln signs the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, changing the nation's destiny.
  • “When he picks up the document and hands it to his Secretary of State, Lincoln probably does not realize that it is 20 years to the day since his almost duel with James Shields.” (17:10)

Profound Lesson:

• The episode concludes with the insight that, had the duel proceeded fatally, both men would have been lost to history—underscoring how restraint in moments of heated rivalry can alter the future for the better.
  • “But their last minute truce will have profound consequences for the nation's future. Because of their actions on that day, Shields and Lincoln will both be alive and both able to contribute to a Union success in the Civil War twenty years later, a feat that may never have been possible had they gone through with their duel on Bloody Island.” (17:43)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the escalation:
  “Given the harsh language of the letters, Simeon doesn’t want to reveal Lincoln’s identity to Shields. He worries that a quarrel between the two men might escalate. But he doesn’t see any other way out of the awkward situation.” (05:12)

• On Lincoln’s sword display:
  “Lincoln stands back and swings his sword before the duel begins… the swift arc of the blade chops through a tree branch above Shield’s head.” (13:10)

• On the fateful day’s echo in history:
  “Lincoln probably does not realize that it is 20 years to the day since his almost duel with James Shields.” (17:10)

---

Important Timestamps

• 01:19 — Introduction of James Shields’ Civil War wounding; backdrop for the Lincoln-Shields relationship
• 03:47 — Episode narrative kicks off; Lincoln and Shields’ early feud
• 05:12 – 08:44 — Exchange of letters, escalation to duel challenge
• 10:54 – 15:12 — Duel on Bloody Island: preparations, confrontation, resolution
• 16:26 – 17:43 — Reconciliation, Civil War alliance, and the fateful coincidence of the Emancipation Proclamation
• 17:43 — Concluding reflection on the long-term impact of restraint and reconciliation

---

Tone & Style

Lindsey Graham narrates with a sense of dramatic suspense and historical gravitas. The episode blends colorful dialogue, immersive scene-setting, and direct historical reflection, making the events feel both urgent and consequential.

---

Summary Takeaway

This episode of History Daily masterfully recounts one of Abraham Lincoln’s most dramatic—and least known—chapters, revealing how a bout of personal animosity nearly changed the course of American history. Through a tale of bruised egos, sharp words, and calculated restraint, listeners are shown the power of second chances and the immense long-term impact one single decision can have.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery.

[Lindsey Graham]

App as a member of Noiser plus at Noizr.com or in Apple Podcasts.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history [e-mail] It's.

[Lindsey Graham]

March 22, 1862, and in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, almost one year into the American Civil War, Brigadier General James Shield sits on a horse bellowing commands to his subordinates as his troops come under Confederate fire. He's determined to follow his orders to hold the town of Winchester for the Union, whatever the cost. For the past year, Union forces have struggled to defeat the Confederate army and exasperated President Abraham Lincoln recently reshuffled his general staff to get his stalled army on the move. One of his new appointees is Shields, a former statesman and old friend now on the battlefield. Shields scans his surroundings, looking to see where the Confederates are shooting from. As he stands in his stirrups to get a better view, a shell explodes nearby. Shield struggles to control his horse as it rears up. He slides from the saddle and hits the ground with a hard thud. A horrible pain shoots through Shield's left arm and shoulder. Dazed, Shields looks up to see officers crowding around him. He hears a doctor saying that a shell fragment has broken his arm and he needs to get to the rear for treatment. Shields fights to stay conscious as he tells his men he doesn't want to leave the battlefield. Now. Today's fight is crucial to the war effort, but as he tries to speak and rally his soldiers, he can't stop his eyes from closing, and soon his body goes limp. In an opening skirmish before the Battle of Kernstown, James Shields is injured by shrapnel from a Confederate shell. Throughout the next day's battle, Shields will have to receive reports and issue orders from a cot behind the front lines, but his men will stand strong and push the enemy back, keeping the Confederates a safe distance away from President Lincoln's government in Washington, D.C. the display will further prove Shields devotion to Lincoln, a stark reversal from his days as the president's political adversary. For years, the two men were not on the same side and did not always see things eye to eye. Long before Shields fought to protect Lincoln, the President, he attempted to kill Lincoln, the budding politician. Twenty years before the Battle of Kernstown, Shields and Lincoln had a disagreement over politics. Their spat quickly escalated, and eventually Shields and Lincoln took up arms against each other, determined to fight to the death. In a duel on September 22, 1842.

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

As a small business owner you know that change is the name of the game. Operational costs, labor markets, tariffs. Wouldn't it be nice if something stayed the same? How about your business Internet rate? Get reliable secure 5G business Internet from T Mobile for business for $40 a month with a 5 year price guarantee when paired with a voice line. That's stability you need from the partner you can depend on. Switch now@t mobile.com BI/ taxes and fees.

[Lindsey Graham]

Guaranteed exclusions like taxes and fees applies the exclusions and details@t mobile.com.

[Podcast Narrator/Storyteller]

Travis fell in love with the perfect woman. Beautiful, understanding available 247 there was just one catch. She wasn't human. Binge all episodes of Flesh and Code early and ad free right now on Wondry.

[Lindsey Graham]

From Noiser and Airship. I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is September 22, 1842 Abraham Lincoln's duel It's September 16, 1842, at the offices of the Sangamo Journal in Springfield, Illinois, six days before James Shields and Abraham Lincoln's duel, editor Simeon Francis sighs as he reads a letter at his desk. It's from Illinois's Democrat State Auditor, James Shields. He wants to know the identity of an anonymous writer whose letters were recently published by the paper. Simeon knows that James expects a prompt reply, but he also knows that revealing the name is going to cause an ugly argument involving his friend Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is a local lawyer and Whig politician. A month ago, Simeon agreed to print a letter from him written under the pseudonym Rebecca. It was the first of several anonymous notes written by the 33 year old and his fiance, Mary Todd that Simeon published over the next few weeks. The letters were highly critical of Shields fiscal policies. Shields was one of the signatories of a proclamation insisting that citizens pay their state taxes in gold or silver rather than paper money issued by the failing Illinois State Bank. This meant savings that many Illinoisans had in the bank was worthless, and that didn't sit well with Lincoln. Lincoln and Mary's letters also turned personal. They included critiques of Shields pursuit of women, mocked his looks, and called him a fool and a liar. Given the harsh language of the letters, Simeon doesn't want to reveal Lincoln's identity to Shields. He worries that a quarrel between the two men might escalate. But he doesn't see any other way out of the awkward situation. Lincoln left him explicit instructions not to hide that that he Was the author of the letters, if anybody inquired. So Simeon takes out a piece of paper and begins his response to Shields. His pen scratches as he declares that the man who has criticized and insulted the auditor is an outgoing member of the Illinois House of Representatives, Abraham Lincoln. He hands the letter to his secretary, asking that it be delivered by hand with all due politeness and best wishes. But Simeon's hopes that Shields and Lincoln can avoid conflict will soon be dashed. When Shields receives Simeon's response, he writes another letter, this time to Lincoln. In it, he demands an apology for the slurs Lincoln wrote about him. The following day, he instructs his friend John D. Whiteside to hand deliver his message to Lincoln. Letter in hand, John heads to the Tremont County Courthouse, where he has been told Lincoln will be arguing cases. The lawyer is not hard to find. At 6 foot 4 inches tall, Lincoln stands head and shoulders above the men around him. And even if you weren't able to see him, his high pitched Kentucky twang makes him unmistakable. John approaches Lincoln and asks for his attention. He hands over Shields letter and waits while Lincoln opens it and reads the contents. As he scans the handwritten note, Lincoln betrays no emotion. When he finishes, he refolds the parchment and hands it back. Lincoln tells baffled John that he's disappointed that Shield called for an apology without first asking him whether he wrote the letters or not. John inhales sharply and wonders if he heard Lincoln correctly. He expected him to simply apologize. Instead, he realizes that the lawyer is using a technicality to wriggle out of the accusation. He hasn't admitted to writing the letters, but he hasn't denied it either. So John tries to pin Lincoln down, asking do you deny you are the author of the letters, sir? The editor of the paper says you are. Lincoln says he will not respond until Shields is prepared to write in a more gentlemanly way. John stands with his mouth open in shock. He retorts that this affair would never have begun if Lincoln had written his letters to the newspaper in a gentlemanly way. John shakes his head and turns away from Lincoln. He knows that an apology and retraction will satisfy Shields honor and the matter would go no further. But he also knows if Lincoln continues to play word games and avoids accepting responsibility, then Shields is prepared to demand satisfaction another way. Over the next four days, Lincoln and Shields will continue to bicker by letter. Each will try to claim the moral high ground. And eventually a frustrated Shields will demand that Lincoln retract his allegations or face a duel. Lincoln will refuse to back down and the two men will meet on a dueling field, and the unseemly spat in the newspaper will threaten to cost one of them his life.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

History Daily is sponsored by Indeed. Back in 1999, I remember reading Bill Gates book Business at the speed of thought.

[Lindsey Graham]

25 years later and well, the speed of business has only increased.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

And that includes hiring. You can't sit around waiting for paper resumes to filter in. You need to find quality candidates right now. Because opportunity waits for no one. Which is why when it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. Their sponsored jobs help you stand out and hire fast. They get your post to jump to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want fast, faster, and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. Listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility at Indeed.com OnThisDay, just go to Indeed.com OnThisDay right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com on this day, terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Podcast Host/Storyteller]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Desiree. Until one day I texted her and.

[Supporting Narrator]

She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.

[Podcast Host/Storyteller]

Desiree was gone. And there was one person who knew the answer.

[Lindsey Graham]

I am a spiritual person, a magical person, a witch.

[Podcast Host/Storyteller]

A gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Turkey, but who was hiding a secret from Wondery. Based on my smash hit podcast From Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb.

[Podcast Narrator/Storyteller]

I'm calling to check on the two missing Brazilian girls.

[Lindsey Graham]

Maybe get some undercover crew there.

[Podcast Narrator/Storyteller]

The family are freaking out.

[Podcast Host/Storyteller]

They are lost. I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lindsey Graham]

It's five o' clock in the evening on September 22, 1842. On a small boat, Elias H. Merriman, a Springfield physician, rows Abraham Lincoln across the Mississippi River. He speeds up his strokes and glides the vessel onto a nearby island, where they're supposed to meet James Shields. After days of arguing, Lincoln and Shields agreed to end their conflict once and for all in a duel. It was not a decision Taken lightly, dueling is illegal in Illinois and most surrounding states. Even if one man survives the encounter, he risks being arrested for murder. As the challenged party, Lincoln was permitted to choose the location and weapons of the duel. For the site of the contest, he chose Bloody Island, a popular dueling spot since its position mid river means it slips between jurisdictions of Missouri and Illinois. Elias agrees with Lincoln's choice. Today he is Lincoln's second, and he doesn't want either he or Lincoln to face charges if Shields ends up dead. As Elias steps onto dry land, he reaches back and helps Lincoln out of the boat. Then he escorts Lincoln to the patch of land identified for the duel, where Shields and his second, John D. Whiteside, wait for them on the sidelines. Elias recognizes a handful of the combatant's friends who stand at a safe distance with concerned looks on their faces. The 2 seconds Elias and John lay a wooden plank on the ground, they mark a line a few feet back either side of the plank. Each of the duelists must remain behind the plank but in front of the line, otherwise they will forfeit the contest. Lincoln and Shields step forward and each pick up a cavalry broadsword, testing the weight of the heavy blades in their hands. It's an unusual weapon for a duel, but Elias thinks that Lincoln has chosen well. He isn't that confident with a pistol, and with a 7 inch height advantage, Elias knows Lincoln will have the longer reach with a sword. But Elias is confused when Lincoln stands back and swings his sword before the duel begins. Shields looks on, puzzled. Lincoln is swinging high in an exaggerated movement that wouldn't ever threaten an opponent. Instead, the swift arc of the blade chops through a tree branch above Shield's head. Elias realizes that Lincoln's wild swing was a deliberate move to prove that his tall frame and long arms give him a distinct advantage. As the branch falls to the ground, Lincoln looks into Shield's eyes. Elias senses a moment of hesitation. Temptation from the challenger. As Lincoln stares down Shields, Elias then hears a voice behind him. It's one of Shields and Lincoln's mutual friends, saying that the coral is out of control and nobody wants to see blood spilled today. He suggests that now might be a good time for the two dueling parties to reconsider their options. The two seconds Elias and John talk it over while Shields and Lincoln stand apart, sword still in hand. John agrees to concede Lincoln's main sticking point. He unilaterally withdraws the letter he delivered to the courthouse on Shield's behalf. Elias suggests that Lincoln will apologize for any ill feeling the notes in the newspaper have caused. And then each second walks over and explains the deal to the duelers. Both men readily agree to its terms. Elias can sense the relief in Lincoln now that the matter has been resolved to both men's satisfaction. And within a few minutes, Elias and Lincoln return to their boat and recross the Mississippi back to Illinois. As they approach the shore, a few bystanders wait for them. They've heard rumors about a duel between two Illinois politicians. They want to see which of the combatants is returning alive and which may be returning bloodied or even dead. They're disappointed though, as both Lincoln and Shields step out of their boats alive and well. In the years following their last minute truce, Lincoln and Shields will set aside any hard feelings and forge an unlikely friendship. But as the years pass, time and careers will pull the men apart again. Shields will go on to serve as a US Senator for Illinois and Minnesota. Lincoln will serve a term as a Whig in the U.S. house of Representatives before emerging as a leader in the new Republican party. But eventually, the two men's paths will cross again. In 1860, Lincoln will win the presidential election and will be forced to steer America through one of its darkest chapters as he presides over a nation at war with itself. The Commander in Chief will enlist the help of his former enemy who will take up arms as a Brigadier General. Together, the two former adversaries will fight for a Union victory. And on an unexpected anniversary amid the two turmoil, Lincoln will make one of his most momentous political acts to date. It's September 22, 1862, just outside Washington D.C. exactly 20 years since President Abraham Lincoln's duel with James Shield. Inside his summer cottage, Lincoln invites his cabinet members to join him at a table. As they sit down, Lincoln pulls out a document he hopes will change America. A year ago, civil war broke out between the north and south over long standing disagreements about slavery and states rights. For much of it, the war has not gone in the Union's favor. In the six months since James Shield's division found victory at the Battle of Kernstown, the Union has suffered several unexpected and demoralizing losses. But five days ago, the Union ground out an important victory at the Battle of Antietam. Lincoln wants to take advantage of the rare success to issue a proclamation he and his cabinet have been working on for months. One that will free the slaves in the Confederacy when the New year begins. Today, Lincoln reads aloud the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation one final time to ensure the members of his cabinet fully understand its meaning. He knows the proclamation is supported enthusiastically by some members of his Cabinet, but only reluctantly by others. As he finishes, Lincoln takes a moment to look into the eyes of each of the seven men gathered. Then he asks his Cabinet whether they agree with the words of the proclamation. When they indicate they do, Lincoln picks up a pen and signs his name at the bottom of the page. When he picks up the document and hands it to his Secretary of State, Lincoln probably does not realize that it is 20 years to the day since his office almost duel with James Shields. And in those years since then, both he and Shields were embarrassed by their youthful hot headed quarrel and quickly closed down the conversation if anybody brought it up. But their last minute truce will have profound consequences for the nation's future. Because of their actions on that day, Shields and Lincoln will both be alive and both able to contribute to a Union success in the Civil War 20 years later, a feat that may never have been possible had they gone through with their duel on Bloody Island. September 22, 1842 Next on History Daily.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

September 23, 1933American geologists arrive in Saudi.

[Lindsey Graham]

Arabia to begin their search for oil, where they eventually uncover so much that the country's fortune will be changed forever. From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Molly Bach Music and sound design by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written and researched by Scott Reeves. Produced by Alexandra Curry Buckner. Executive producers are Steven Walters for Airship.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Pascal Hughes for Noiser.