Chapter 10 Blood on the Prairie A Novel of the Sioux Uprising

Background: At this point in the story line, Chief Scout Toby Ryker is visiting the sick and wounded soldiers from the Dakota Conflict and the larger Civil War at Fort Snelling. He meets a mortally wounded young soldier named Edwin Balch from Glencoe, Minnesota, and accompanies him on his last journey home. We call him Eddy and have him as an amputee with gangrene. Balch is cited on page 333 of Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861-1865 published in 1890 by the Pioneer Press Company, St Paul, Minnesota. The cite states: Enlisted Men Balch, Edwin, age 20, mustered in  June 13, '62, mustered out (blank) Died November 27, '62 at Glencoe, Minn. This is our literary tribute to Edwin Balch, serialized.

Chapter 10 - "How are you feeling today?" Ryker said to Edwin Balch as he entered the infirmary at Fort Snelling. The surgeon was changing the young man's bandages and inspecting his wounds.
"Pretty good, considering," Eddy replied.
"Well, young man," the surgeon said, trying to sound cheerful, "I think you are ready to go home today." He looked at Ryker so the boy couldn't see, and shook his head sadly.
"How will I get there?" Eddy asked. "I can't sit a horse."
"Don't fret about that," the surgeon said. "You'll ride home in style in one of our fancy new ambulance wagons."
"That's good," the private said, grinning. "Toby Ryker here is coming with me."
"He is?"
"Yup, I promised him one of my Mama's delicious pot roast dinners."
"What I know of Ryker, he'll ride a hundred miles out of his way for a dinner like that."
"You got that right, sir," Ryker replied. "An army travels on its stomach, you know."
"That it does. Well, Private Balch, let's get you into the ambulance, so you can be on your way."
While the physician and the hospital stewards  assisted Private Balch, Ryker headed to his quarters in the barracks and readied himself for the trip. Once he had his clothing and weapons and all his other truck packed, he went to the stable and saddled Wino. The big gelding seemed happy to be heading back to the trail. Like its rider, it never liked standing around doing nothing for vary long.
Arriving back at the infirmary, he saw that Eddy was tucked comfortably into the ambulance wagon, and was busy eating a sandwich. The driver, Henry Henrick, a teamster and wagoneer with Company E of the Sixth, sat up on the front seat. He read the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper until they were ready to roll.
"Hey Eddy, I see you are anxious to get to Glencoe," Ryker said.
"Sure am," Eddy said. "I can hardly wait. I wonder how long it will take."
(to be continued)
Read the entire story of "Blood on the Prairie a Novel of the Sioux Uprising" in the format of your choice at the following links:
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