While Lincoln was a hoss, that particular instance is more about Lincoln setting everything up in his favor. Shields had a reputation as an able swordsman, and Lincoln would be unlikely to beat him in a fair fight. However, as the challenged, he gets to set the parameter of the duel...
The death pit you mentioned had two wooden blocks that were to keep the two combatants from getting close to each other. Therefore the duel, should it go down, would be with weapons that gave advantage to Lincoln's superior strength, and an enforced distance that would greatly benefit Lincoln's incredible reach. Shields would have been a fool to accept.
Of course, Lincoln does get credit for fixing it so that a acknowledged swordsman and duelist has to chicken out in a swordfight. This anecdote was recounted in By the Sword, a rather awesome book I have on the history of swordfighting.
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The death pit you mentioned had two wooden blocks that were to keep the two combatants from getting close to each other. Therefore the duel, should it go down, would be with weapons that gave advantage to Lincoln's superior strength, and an enforced distance that would greatly benefit Lincoln's incredible reach. Shields would have been a fool to accept.
Of course, Lincoln does get credit for fixing it so that a acknowledged swordsman and duelist has to chicken out in a swordfight. This anecdote was recounted in By the Sword, a rather awesome book I have on the history of swordfighting.
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