, 1872-11-10
THE MAJOR.
"reminiscences Of the Black
Hawk War.

BY COLONEL ALBERT g. BnAcEETT~
Years ago. there lived in the West an old Ma
jor who was good deal Of u character. He had
fought under General Atkinson, and his admira-
tion Of that hero was sincere. He looked upon
Atkinson as the embodiment Of all tho virtues
necessary in this life, and as one who was suro
OF all the benefits of q future state General
Atkinson was to him dcrnigod. He reyered
his memory, and always spoke Of his COM
handing talents, and the wonderful pow
er he possessed over the minds Of men
Is something almost snperhuman. The Gener-
ii who could do 60 much with raw militia was,
indeed, remarkable chnrncter.~~one Of the
most remarkable, perhaps, Of any which have
set appeared on the American Continent.
The Major lived near the banks Of one Of tho
CREST rivers OF the West, where Nature seems to
rovel in all her beauty. His farm had beon cnt
out Of the timber, and his substantial farm
house, with its wide porch around it, WAS most
welcome sight to him who travelled in these
new lands. It was the home of hospitality, Of
kindness and content, and known far and near
Us one of the most pleasant places to visit to be
found in the range OF the country in which was
located
After the close of the Black Hawk War. the
Major had been candidate for Congress: and
possibly may have been elected one or two terms.
He had vivid conception Of what politics ought
to be, and considered the very best material that
could be selected for Congressman WIS such as
had been well seasoned in the Black Hawk cam
paign Of the West. He had an impelimcut in
his speech, and would say: {" Here is fact.
gentlemen-ha: The people need men for Rep
resentatires-ha-whoha have given their blood for
their country. No man can be sincere in his
attachment to the purely democratic institutions
OF America, unless he has served-ha-'
bis flag faithfully in one OR more
campaigns, It is clar to my mind
that NE need true patriots, true -ha-.Americans.
to 1egislate for us and who 60 true as e'who has
barred dhis-ha-breast to tie murderous weep
ings Of the eavages ?. Our comrades sleep be-
side tho 1ippling waters Of the Sycamore and
Bad Axe, and their bones bleach On t.lc fields Of
The Pecatonica, Kcllogg's Grove, and the Blue
Mounds. Now, who so fitted TO make laws as the
men who served on thesc-La--tiells know
that all who are here present agree with me in
&hese--ha--pure feelings; and all will do what
lies in their power to send able men to the Fed
eral City. Let every one be fully prepared
all his-ha-strength to push forward ouch
men and dsuch-ha-Ineasures as shall s'cure to US
@the greatest-ha-good to the greatest number;
that heing, as understand it, tie true pol
icr of every Republican Government, and Of
every true patriot who seeks the good OF the
whole Nation. Iknow--ha-tllat all Of my hearers
are men OF true independence Of character, true
Anericans-ha-who have the good OF their
country honestly at heart"
Many anecdotes were told respecting the pcc'l-
1iarities OF the Major during his campaign, ard
st other times, which we're quite amusing. lie
had rnischievous colored boy who had Ieen
taught to stand on his head, or, rather, who had
taught himself to stand on his head, which he
The Major gave dinner-party upon u certain
occasion, to several Of his officers, when the
Doctor, who was q bit of 2 wag, made
arrangements with the negro boy, whose
name was Cherub, that. upon 4 signal
given by him, he (Chezub) should stand on his
bead back Of the Majors CHAIR. Everything
went on swimmingly at the table for somc time,
when the Major commenced getting off some OF
his fearful platitudes, whereupon the Doctor
quietly gave the signal, and Cherub straightway
stood upon his head, much to the amusement
of the guests, who we're almoBt convulsed with
laughter, which the Major attributed to the ex.
cellence Of his stories.
Upon another occasion, several officers callel
upon him to pay their respects. He canet
Cherub:
"Cherub 60 down-ha-cellar, aud bring ur
come OF that old whiahey-.:ha; recollect, cherub
some Of that old whiBkey.'
4 moment after, Cherub was eeen "streaklDe
il" for the Suffers tent with black bottle,
whence he returned in short time, and placed
bottle OF whiskey on the Ma jor's table.
"Here," said the Major, there -ha-gent1e
men, is some excellent old whiskey. which ha'
been in my cellar eix-ha-years! Drink it
gentlsmsan;;i gent t,uoa think-ha-sou w''l find 't-ha-
The guests drank in silence, wondering, at th
came time, how 80 good 8 man as tho Majo
could tell such whoppcr-
Chetub was singular-looking boy. bein:
what il known Is II reel-footed nigger,' or il
other words, club-footed. He WAS extremely &C
tive. and upon the whole. had an easy time Of it
After one OF his feats OF standing or his head be
hind the Majors chair had been performed, b
usually received some slight pecuniary reward
though this did not seem to be at all necessary
He threw his heels into the air upon the slight
est provocation, and without the loast noise
H could reverse his position instantly, and ar
pear before the Majors eyes the most meek an
humble specimen OF African humanit
to be found throughout the WHO!
western States. he stood upon hi
head with ease, displaying at the samo tim
4 double row Of ivory teeth, which g1lsteped wit
light, and a pair Of Eoguish eyes, which twinkle
with merrimcnt. A more ludicrous figure tha
this African presented standing on kis hea
close behind the Majors chair, it would be dill
cult to find in the whole range OF mlrth-provol
ing subjects. His head was enormous on
and frequently, after filling the. Majors glas
with llqnoF, ne "OulQ pop On nlB Hedu anu 6tau
there with his large red tongue protrudng fro7
his mouth, until the Major gayo eou1e orde
when he would appear right side mp, execute ii
order, and resume his old position:
The Major led his battalion creditably durir
the Black Hawk War, though some funny thi,lt
were told Of his way OF marching. In passir
through the West, the army advanced in separa
columns. Upon certain day he came in sigl
OF column, led By cavalry officer, on the pra
RE. Up to this time be had been riding in
rickoty old concern which he dignifed With Il
name CT an ambulance. AS soon as he espi
the other column, be hastily called for his lors
tho, Cherub! Give me my Lorse-ha; bril-
him immediately!'
He was duly mounted, when away he sped
the other column, where llo found the caval
officer slowly jogging along in his ambulance.
"Ha," said he to tho cavalryman, II see =,
are riding in your--ha ambuancc!"
"Oh, yes!" he replied, 1t is easier, ant
prefer it."
'sWe]l,'' said the Major, who, up to this tin
had not rode on horseback step of the way,
still stick to my horse!' and away be trotted
dear life, and joined his own column, think
he Ind duly impressed his immense militia
superiority upon the mind of the cavalry CO
mander, and continued on horseback as long
the other column was in sight. Then he soue
the pleasures OF his ambulance, and rode On q