The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

STATE PAPERS OF ABRAIxrA LINCOLN.

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to which Mr. Lincoln referred, a winter of unusual
severity had caused extreme suffering through that section of Illinois, and that he was not only anxious, but
compelled, to take up with any occupation by which he
might turn an honest penny in order to keel) his father's
family, wlho were even then partially dependent upon
him, from positive want.
In 1832 the Black Hawk war broke out, and Mr. Lincoln, prompt as ever to answer tlhe call of duty, joined a
volunteer company and took the field against the Indians.
That he had already gained a recognized position in the
part of the State where he then lived, is clearly indicated
by the fact that he was elected captain of his company.
After a few weeks' ineffectual service, the force which had
responded to the call of Governor Reynolds was disbanded. The troubles broke out anew, however, within
a short time, and again Mr. Lincoln enlisted, this time
also as a private. What rank was conferred upon him,
if any, during this campaign is not recorded; but in spite
of the pressure brought to bear upon him by older members of his company, to induce him to return home, he
discharged his duties faithfully through the three months'
campaign.
Many years after, during his congressional career, Mr.
Lincoln referred thus humorously to his military services
in this "war:' -
By the way, Mr. Speaker, did you know I was a military hero?
Yes, sir, in the days of the Black Hawk war I fught,,led, and clme
away. Speaking of General Cass's career, reminds me,,f my own. I
was not at Sullivan's defeat, but I was about as near to it as Cass was to
Hull's surrender; and, like him, I saw the place soon after. It is quite
certain that I did not break my sword, for I had none to break; but I
bent my musket pretty badly on one occasion. If Cass broke his sword,
the idea is, he broke it in desperation. I bent the musket by accident.
If General Cass went in advance of me in picking whortleberrics, I guess
I surpassed him in charges upon the wild onions. If he saw any live
fighting Indians, it was more than I did, but I had a great many bloody
struggles with the mosquitoes; and although I never fainted from loss of
blood, I certainly can say I was often very hungry.
His military career closed, Mr. Lincoln turned his atten