alternatehistory.com

So this is one of the many places I've found the tale of Abraham Lincoln's "duel". The gist of it is, Lincoln and a few of his friends (including his future wife) made fun (in writing) of James Shields, State Auditor of Illinois, for poor decisions, but the insults got out of hand, and Shields eventually challenged Lincoln to a duel.

Since Lincoln didn't want anyone to die in a duel, and wanted to make the very idea of him dueling seem ridiculous, he insisted on choosing the weapons and location of the duel. Shields didn't back down until the day of the duel, when he saw Lincoln clearing away branches with the chosen weapon, a massive cavalry broadsword. Hey, I'd be terrified of the 6'4 man with a big freaking sword too. :p

Anyway, what if Shields didn't back down, and Lincoln ending up killing him? What happens then?

Or, improbably, what if Shields manages to kill Lincoln? Then what happens?
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