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.

“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. Later, as the embers burned down to a red glow in the campfire, Eddy again grew pensive. In his deep, resonant, bass voice, he sang the Stephen Foster favorite I Would Not Die in Summer Time.

                   I would not die in summer time

                   When hearts are light and free

                   And joy is borne from every clime

                   O’er mountain, stream, and lea

                   I would not leave the friends I know

                   Beguiled of hope and cheer

                   To lose in burning tears of woe

                   The glad time of the year

                   Oh no, I would not pass away

                   When from the leafy grove

                   The red bird carols all the day

                   Its song of joy and love

                   When merry warblers trill their notes

                   From every bush and tree

And on the breeze an anthem floats

                   Of heaven-borne melody

                   I would not die in summer time

                   And lie within the tomb

                   When blushing fruits are in their prime

And fields are in their bloom.

                   For I would reap the yellow grain

                   And bind it in the sheaves

                   Then die when autumn winds complain

                   Among the blighted leaves

Eddy’s voice began to fade toward the end of the last verse until it was barely audible. He looked at Ryker and Henrick who had fallen silent, the Jews harp and banjo still in their hands. He glanced into the embers, and in the fading rosy hue of the firelight, Ryker could see Eddy’s chin tremble as he unsuccessfully tried to fight back his tears. He stepped over to the young man and rubbed his shoulders gently. “I think maybe it’s time we settle in for the night, Eddy.”

Sniffing and rubbing his eyes, Eddy said, “This is so stupid! I apologize for feeling sorry for myself and for crying in front of you all.”

“Think nothing of it, and no apologies needed,” Ryker said. “You are walking a lonely path and fear the dark, and there is no shame in that. We all must walk that path one day.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” He wiped his eyes and blew his nose. “Lift me into the ambulance, will you, fellows? I want to sleep now.”

Read the entire story of Eddy Balch and the Dakota conflict in the format of your choice at the links below as the sesquicentennial 150th anniversary of the Sioux Uprising of 1862 continues.

Barnes and Noble Nook 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-on-the-prairie-a-novel-of-the-sioux-uprising-sesquicentennial-edition-steven-m-ulmen/1110322785?ean=2940014643931
Google Books
http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=6rU-6z03smwC#v=onepage&q&f=false
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007O2AMX2