Lincoln involved in duel, 1842

I'm reading (of all things) a self-help book and it discusses an incident where Lincoln pissed someone off and the victim challenged Lincoln to a duel in 1842.

"Lincoln was opposed to dueling, but he couldn't get out of it and save his honor...on the appointed day, he and Shields met on a sandbar in the Mississippi, prepared to fight to the death; but at the last minute, their seconds interrupted and stopped the duel."

Well, suppose the seconds don't interfere. Two possible outcomes:

1. Lincoln loses the duel and is killed.

2. Lincoln wins the duel...but is seen as a murderer. As long as he doesn't try to get into politics, he'll be fine :)
 
In point of fact the seconds did not interfere. Lincoln, as the challenged party, had the choice of weapons; he selected broadswords (since none were available, sabres were substituted). Since Lincoln stood several inches taller than Shields he had much the longer reach, which led Shields to concede the match and patch up their differences.

Both parties benefited from the experience; Shields learned to curb his temper and Lincoln learned to be careful what he said or wrote.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/1995/ihy950248.html

is one account.

EDIT: If Lincoln wins the duel (normally fought to first blood) and Shields dies as a result it will not be seen as murder; dueling was viewed as acceptable at that time and as long as it did not take place in a location wherein it was prohibited no legal issues would arise. There might be some political fallout, but it wouldn't be too severe; Andrew Jackson killed a man in a duel and later became President.
 
Lincoln probably would have won IMO. He had long arms and was described by his peers as incredibly strong. As a matter of fact, I think Cracked did an article mentioning that.
 
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