Circle of Trust

Since we are in the midst of the Lincoln Games, I thought it only pertinent to read up on our 16th President this week.  In doing so, I came across an interesting story.

In 1842, a young country lawyer by the name of Rebecca wrote a scathing article in the Sangamo Journal condemning the Illinois’ State Auditor’s decision to close the State Bank of Illinois.  Rebecca felt that this would be a tremendous blow to the rural farmer’s of the area who would now have to procure gold and silver to pay their debts instead of the paper money that had become reliant upon.  The State Audiotr, Mr.  James Shields, was not one to take such criticism lightly and publicly challenged Rebecca, the rural farmer, to a duel.  Shockingly, Rebecca accepted and the terms of the duel were quickly negotiated.

Since Illinois is not some backwoods, hillbilly bastion, the duel had to take place somewhere that was.  Missouri was chosen over Wisconsin or Indiana.  Since James Shields proposed the duel, it was Rebecca that was able to choose the weapon.  While most would assume this meant the type of pistol, i.e. double action, single action, muzzle loader, etc., Rebecca actually chose broad swords (“Calvary swords of the biggest kind”) on a plank over a pit.  As a man of honor, James Shields accepted.

The day of the duel, September 22, arrived and the combatants met at Bloody Island, Missouri. As the two men faced each other over the pit and on the plank, Rebecca swung his sword so hard and high that it tore through a tree branch nearly 7 feet above Shields’ head.  With such a tremendous advantage in strength and size, Shields quickly called a truce.

As most of you have figured out, “Rebecca, the country farmer” was actually Abraham Lincoln who, at the time, was a mere country lawyer.  A final interesting twist in the saga of Lincoln and Shields came some 20 years later.  Shields became a Major General in the Army of the Potomac after Lincoln personally appointed him.  He would also delivered Stonewall Jackson his only defeat at the Battle of Kernstown.

This is a bit thin, but I think I found a connection between this story and my feelings about the Lincoln Games.  Like Lincoln, I too wanted to write a harshly worded letter condemning the actions of leadership.  Only instead of criticizing government’s decision to allow a financial institution to cease operations, I was pissed that I had to run so much.  Like Lincoln, my complaints didn’t do a damn bit of good and ended with a fight (both figuratively and literally with boxing at 2 Wolves).  Also like President Lincoln’s story, friendships were created and strengthened through the whole process.  The moral of either story is that even if you hate every minute of this challenge, embrace it because you will either create or strengthen those friendships that you will be able to count on tomorrow, next month, or 20 years from now.