Changes

In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War, and was elected captain of his company, but the only fighting he admitted seeing action in was the “many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes.”  After he was mustered out of his company, he aspired for the state legislature, losing the contest the first time he ran, then getting elected and re-elected several times afterward.  He had briefly thought about practicing the trade of blacksmithing, but his craving of reading led him to law books, which caused some serious studying. Lincoln passed the bar in 1836, and began a new career practicing law.

In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War, and was elected captain of his company, but the only fighting he admitted seeing action in was the “many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes.”  After he was mustered out of his company, he aspired for the state legislature, losing the contest the first time he ran, then getting elected and re-elected several times afterward.  He had briefly thought about practicing the trade of blacksmithing, but his craving of reading led him to law books, which caused some serious studying. Lincoln passed the bar in 1836, and began a new career practicing law.

==Insulting letters==

===Insulting letters===

In the early 1840s, Lincoln had been in the habit of writing critical letters that skewered his political opponents unmercifully. In 1842, he was challenged to a duel by [[James Shields]] and after taking lessons in swordsmanship, prepared to meet his adversary on a Mississippi sandbar.<ref>Dale Carnegie, ''How to Win Friends and Influence People'', page 8</ref>

In the early 1840s, Lincoln had been in the habit of writing critical letters that skewered his political opponents unmercifully. In 1842, he was challenged to a duel by [[James Shields]] and after taking lessons in swordsmanship, prepared to meet his adversary on a Mississippi sandbar.<ref>Dale Carnegie, ''How to Win Friends and Influence People'', page 8</ref>