The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-11
THE FIRST MINNESOTA.
Aspersions on it's Conduct at Bris.
tow Station.
The Regiment INDICATED.

The people of Minnesota will be sur
prised and indignant on learning that an
attempt has been made by one of the east
ern journals, doubtless upon the instiga-
ton of a political Brigadier from Penn
sylvania, to rob our glorious First Regi-
ment OF it's well earned reputation, by an
impeachment of its conduct at the battle
of Bristow Station. The charge is made
in an editorial of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
that the First Minnesota in that battle
strayed from its proper position and had
to be taken in hand by certain General
JOSHUA T. OWEN, of Pennsylvania, who
formed the regiment Gin his line and SO
handled it as to do effective service The
only conceivable motive for such SLAM
derous assertion, is the fact that this Gen.
OWEN failed of confirmation last winter in
the Senate, and is seeking to bolster his
reputation up fer the purpose of helping
his chances in the ensuing session; and in
this he might possibly succeed, if he could
make the Senate and the country believe
that he was brave and cool enough to ven-
ture into position which had been aban-
doned by veteran regiment, of the rspu-
tation of the First Minnesota, and offorn-
ing and placing it in bis line during the
hottest of the fight
But Brigadier General JOSHUA I.
OWEN has not been allowed to wear his
honors ia peace Hsj. Mack ". DowEH,
as senior officer of the First Minnesota, on
duty with the regiment, has pretty thor
oughly stripped him Of bis lsurels, as will
be seen from the annexed correspondence:
MAJ. powNIE TO GEN. owza.
HxADQuARrnns MINNESOTA VoLuKrnhRs,l
November 4, 1868.
Gen. J. OwHs, 81 Brigade, Sd D;sss;o~, I'd Ar
my Corps:
GKHKRAL-I discover in the Philadelphia ls-
ouirer Of the 1st instant, an article entitled
''Owen's Brigade" in which the writer re-
marks that the First Minnesota Volunteers and
Seventh Michigan having strayed from their
position were taken in hand by General Owen,
formed in his line, and 30 handled Is to do ef-
fective service.
The writer of the article is unknown, and as
the commander of the former Regiment there
in mentioned st the time of the action. As well
as at present. / deem it duty owe to myself
and to the officers and enlisted men Of my COM
mand, to apply directly to you for an official re-
port in the Philadelphia Inquirer, in REPUTATION
Of the article in question.
No man on that field can say that the First
Minnesota at any period OF the engagement Is
indebted to officers other than its OWN, for the
honor of being held to their position and made
to do efficient service.
would not be understood rs imputiDg to
you its authorship. for you must know too
well our record as u regiment. to suppose
that we would for an instant stray from our
position"
Hoping that this may meet your approval,
have the honor To be your most Obedlent SER
want. MARK w. DOWNIE.
Mai Commanding First Minnesota Vols.
The article in the Philadelphia Inquirer al
Iuded to in the foregoing letter is as follows:
OWENS BRIGADE.
In n statement of the troops engaged in the
recent victory at BristOw Station We observe
that General Owen, of this city, and his brig
ade, did most gallant and effective service. Of
the seven guns captured from the enemy, four
were captured by Owen and his men. OF the
Thousand men which the rebels confess to have
lost, most of those taken prisoners were cap
tured by the same brigade The most etfcc-
tive artillery fire during the fight was by Ar
nold's battery, also with Owens brigade. But
even this is not all the good service done by
our gallant townman for while the hottest of
the engagement was going on, the FIRST Mn
nesota aad .Seuenth Mtchtgaa hdUing strayed
from their position mere taken III hand By General
Oacen formed IN his line, and handled Us to do
eGectire sercice.
This is proud record, and one that should
live in the memory of our people.