Abraham Lincoln had a very brief experience with actual warfare. He
enlisted with a company of volunteers to take part in the Black Hawk
war. It was the custom in those days for each company to elect its
own Captain, and Lincoln was chosen Captain of his company almost
unanimously. He was heard to say many times in after life that no other
success in his life had given him such pleasure as did this one. His
command did little, as they were never engaged in a pitched battle,
so Lincoln had to be content “with the reputation of being the best
comrade and story-teller in the camp.” It is a peculiar coincidence that
Jefferson Davis also served as an officer in this war.