Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

[304] his long arms would enable him to keep clear of his antagonist.

“I was then a young surgeon,” continued Dr. Henry, “and Mr. Lincoln desired me accompany him to the point chosen for the contest,--‘Bloody Island,’ in the Mississippi, near St. Louis,--as his ‘second.’ To this I at length consented, hoping to prevent bloodshed. On our way to the ground we met Colonel Hardin, a friend of both parties, and a cousin of the lady who was the real offender. Suspecting something wrong, Hardin subsequently followed us, coming in upon the party just as Lincoln was clearing up the underbrush which covered the ground. Entering heartily upon an attempt at pacification, he at length succeeded in mollifying Shields, and the whole party returned harmoniously to Springfield, and thus the matter ended.”

This version of the affair coming from an eyewitness is undoubtedly in all respects correct. It subsequently came in my way to know that Mr. Lincoln himself regarded the circumstance with much regret and mortification, and hoped it might be forgotten. In February preceding his death a distinguished officer of the army called at the White House, and was entertained by the President and Mrs. Lincoln for an hour in the parlor. During the conversation the gentleman said, turning to Mrs. Lincoln, “Is it true, Mr. President, as I have heard, that you once went out to fight a ‘duel’ for the sake of the lady by your side?”