The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-10-02

American Industry.
lremain truly your
obedient servant,
ROBT. LUCAS.
To S. NJ. BALLARD, Iowa City, Iowa.
From the Ohio State Journal.
THE SOLDIERS RETURN.
AN INCIDENT OF THE "sLAcK HAVE" WAR.
BY W. B.
No country is richer in historical Incl
dents than is the West. Ohio and her
sister States, where have met the white
and red men in deadly strife and where
the stirring and startling scenes of pio-
neer life have been enacted for the last
three-iourths Of century. And never
has there been wanting that ready, self
sacrificing patriotism, from the earliest
settlement of the country down to the
present day, which alone is able, out Of
a wilderness waste, to build up communi-
ties and States.
Twenty years ago the celebrated Black
Hawk, at the head of his Indian forces,
became engaged in hostilities with the
whites. Illinois was then the border
State, and the "brunt of battle" fell upon
her; but it was apprehended by the Gov
ernment Of the United States that gen.
eral confederacy Of the Indian tribes,
which was believed to be contemplated,
would enable the enemy to bring into ac-
tion a fearful array of warriors, before
whom the ill-prepared and thinly settled
inhabitants of the exposed territory would
be driven away or murdered. Under
these perilous circumstances the govern
ment cast about for suitable leader, to
take charge Of the operations of the
army in that quarter. General Scott was
eminently the man for the crisis, and he
was accordingly sent to command the
troops and conduct the war. Of the
leading events connected with the "Black
Hawk War" we shall say nothing
They are matters of general history, to
which the reader is referred. But in all
such times there are under-currents of
events not presented on the great surface
which we behold, which, nevertheless,
are deeply interesting, and tend more
than any thing elset to elucidate character,
and develop the real feelings and emotions
Of the heart. OF such an incident we
write.
The alarm had been rung out, the call
made, and hundreds of citizens were pre-
pairing to march to the scene of danger
and of conflict, to do battle for their
homes, their wives, children, friends and
country. Never has our great and glo-
rious nation lacked for defenders in the
hour of trial and peril! Never may
She!
In their Western home newly married
couple, with one little child, were startled
by the war-cry. The husband saw the
need his country had of defenders, and
the contest was hard between patriotism
and the enjoyment of his pleasant fire.
side, and the companionship of his below
ed and idolized wife and child. But the
fierce struggle was at last ended in his
bosom, by deciding to do what he believ-
ed to be his duty, and leaving the event
to Providence. He would 20 to defend
his country but how would he break
the news to his wife? for well he knew
how sorely her heart would be troubled
at the announcement of his determina-
ton to ego out to the battle.'' 1t must
be done, however, and in the best manner
he knew how, the difficult and delicate
task was performed.
She wept bitter tears, and entreated
him to remain at home, to protect her and
their helpless child. His heart was
touched by her distress and almost he
was persuaded to abandon his intention.
Then came the thought that if he did so,
very soon, it might be, he would have to
face the savage foe there, by his own
home, where his dear ones would also be
to their merciless vengeance,
while now he could meet them away on
other ground, where himself alone would
have to stand before the danger, while
those who lay SO near his heart would be
safe. These considerations established
his resolution as first formed. He rea-
soned them over to his companion, COM
forted her as far as her feelings would
admit of comfort, bade her an affectionate
and fearful adieu, and departed!
Oh, how anxiously that tender wife
and mother sought for intelligence from
the scene of conflict! How every report
Of danger or of battle filled her heart
with dread and fear! Misgivings, dark
and narrowing, kept her mind in state
Of continual dread, filled with every con-
ceivable thought of evil and misfortune
which fevered imagination could call
into being!
At length came the news of the great
battle of the Bad Axe, and of the safety
of her husband. She fell on her knees
and thanked God for his merciful good
ness!
But, alas for human fortune! her Joy
was of limited duration, and cut short in
its full and overhowing tide! A few
days passed away, and the news came