The following year Lincoln again hired himself out to take a flat boat loaded with produce to New Orleans. He successfully completed the trip in July 1831. Upon his return, he moved to New Salem, Illinois to live on his own for the first time.

Within a year of Lincoln's arrival at New Salem, he began his political career by campaigning for the Illinois state legislature. But his campaign was interrupted when he joined other volunteers in the 31st Regiment, Illinois Militia,
formed to quell an Indian uprising.

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