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Richardson, John, 1796-1852

"Hardscrabble; or, the fall of Chicago. a tale of Indian warfare"


It was a lovely day, and every thing seemed to smile upon
the denizens of that region, from the early dawn until
the setting of the sun. Officers and men were in their
brightest uniforms--the women and children in their
holiday dresses. A splendid new Star Spangled Banner--the
work of Maria Heywood's hands--floated in the dazzling
rays of the sun, upon the southern bastion of the Fort.
Joy and pride sat on every brow. They exulted at the
recollection of that hardly won freedom from injustice,
which was that day to be celebrated for the thirty-sixth
time.
At noon the cannon thundered forth their bursts of
rejoicing. This was the signal for the numerous
Pottawattamies outside, all of whom had decked themselves
for the occasion, to approach nearer to the Fort. On the
glacis they discharged their guns and rifles, and seemed
to have but one spirit with the allies to whom they
appeared to have devoted themselves. Winnebeg, however,
though long expected, had not yet returned, and nothing
yet had been seen of Waunangee, since his departure on
the day following the little incident which occurred in
Elmsley's apartments.


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