General James Shields
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Introduction
James Shields was born on May 10, 1810, County Tyrone, Ireland, and died June 1, 1879, Ottumwa IA . Shields was first and foremost a politicial. Before the war he was lawyer, judge and held various political offices. He did servein the Black Hawk War, and the Mexican War. Shields received a political appointment in August 1861 as Brig. Gen. of Volunteers where he commanded a division during the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign. Shields was wounded by an artillery fragment the day before the First Battle of Kernstown and missed what would have probably be his crowning achievement. Shields resigned from the Army March 1863. Post War Career: Railroad executive, US Senator. Shields once challenged Lincoln to a duel, but they became good friends afterwards.
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