Chapter 10 Blood on the Prairie A Novel of the Sioux Uprising (continued)

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 hospitalized 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.

“That was a good version, Eddy,” Ryker said. “You have a quick wit.”

“That you surely do,” Henrick agreed.

“Thanks gentlemen,” Eddy said.

Ryker glanced at Henrick then looked behind them and raised his hand to shade his eyes. “Who’s he talking to, Henrick?”

Henrick played it straight. “I don’t have the foggiest idea. The only other people here are you and me, and we’re both rascals, not gentlemen.”

Eddy shook his head and laughed. But he soon grew apprehensive, and the smile faded from his face, and he stared grimly into the blazing campfire. Without looking up, he said, “The part about me dying scares me a little bit.”

“Don’t fret about that,” Ryker replied. “You’ll probably outlive us all.”

“Do you think so?” He looked at Henrick.

“I knew a soldier who lost a leg just like you did and he lived to be fifty-six,” Henrick said. “They made a wooden leg for him just like they did for Captain Ahab. He got around better than most men with two legs.”

“Sure,” Eddy said, again mustering a smile. “I’ll probably live to be a hundred.” He pulled out his harmonica and the three men played several melodies including, Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! The Boys are Marching, and John Brown’s Body.

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