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The Blackhawk War BY HENRY LITTLE, 1875
A NIGHT SURPRISE.
But their pleasant dreams and quiet slumbers were suddenly interrupted by the loud and hurried beating of the long-roll upon the drums, accompanied by the vociferous orders to "Turn out, turn out, every man! Indians! Indians!! Shaved-head and his braves are upon us! Form ranks, quick time, close order, shoulder to shoulder, by right and left oblique, close upon the center. " The graceful, dignified form of Col. Danields was rendered conspicuous, as he dashed about, here and there upon his mettlesome charger, when the sharp crack of a rifle was heard near by, whose electrifying sound Rolled away and reverberated through the midnight darkness, and anon was heard the most unearthly whoop and yell that ever came from any Indian's throat. Stand to your arms my brave men, the foe is near! Finally Col. Daniels, having completed his arrangements, reined up his panting steed in front of the center of the column, and addressed his army, we suppose, somewhat
thusly: "Friends, comrades, and soldiers! The all-auspicious moment has at last arrived, that time so long desired; that time in which every true soldier finds his highest satisfaction. Fellow soldiers, we have been in quest of the enemy, lo, these three days, and were grievously disappointed in not finding him; but now, in his accommodating mood, he has come to us.
Michigan
Page 24
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