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.