Two Wars on the Frontier: Diaries of a Soldier

Two Wars on the Frontier is the diary of Minnesota Swedish immigrant A. J. Carlson, who fought in both the US-Dakota War of 1862, and for the Union Army in the Civil War. On August 21, 1862, A. J. enlisted in Company H, Ninth Minnesota Regiment. Because the US-Dakota war had begun three days prior, A. J.'s company was retained in Minnesota to assist with this war. He relates daily experiences including his observations of the largest mass execution in U. S. history, as 38 Indians were hung at Mankato, Minnesota. On October, 1863, Company H left Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory for Fort Snelling, then headed down the Mississippi River to fight in the Civil War. There, he encounters a number of Black Americans who help him elude capture, following the Union disaster at Brice's crossroads. There are very few first-hand accounts of a foot soldier available. Even fewer of a person who is able to see and clearly articulate his thoughts during one of the most crucial periods of U.S. history.

This is the first book for Wendy Petersen Biorn, Executive Director for the Carver County Historical Society, and the fourth for Darlene Wendlandt Fasching. The book has won two awards for excellence in history. One from the American Association for State and Local History and the other from the Minnesota Alliance for Local History. The Carver County Historical Society is located in Waconia, Minnesota.