The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-08-05
FIRST MINNESOTA BATTALION
Glorious Remnant of the
Old First.
It's Gallant Record Since June 18th
Before Petersburg.
Official List of Its Casualties,

Colonel Oscar Malmros, Adiutont General. state
of Minnesota:
GENERAL-I have the honor to report the
part taken by my command in the different en-
gagements before Petersburg, since our arrival
at this place. We marched from Cold Harbor
on the 18th, and crossed the James river at
Wilcox's Landing on the 18th of June. On
the morning of the 18th, at one o'clock, we
advanced to the immediate front of Peters
burg, and threw up works which we occupied.
On the evening of the 10th an assault was
made upon the enemy's works, di-
rectly in our front. with considerable
success. My Battalion was stationed as
support to the Sixth Maine Battery,
which during the action was enabled from the
effectiveness of its fire to advance midway be-
tween our works and those of the enemy. We
held this position until the morning of the 18th
when the corps (2d) was massed by brigade,
the LIST brigade, to which my battalion is at
tached, on the right. At q given signal the
whole line charged the enemy's works, the LIST
brigade being led by Gen. Pierce, who was
slightly wounded. We succeeded in driving
the enemy for some distance when the forces
to our right (the 9th cOrps) having failed to
dislodge the enemy from his position, we were
compelled to halt as we would have been
thanked had We advanced farther. 1 then re-
ceived orders from General Pierce (who still
retained command) to deplOy my command as
skirmishers and move forward, and if possible
take possession ola certain road running per-
pendicular, and striking the City Point Rail-
road about half mile from Petersburg. This
we accomplished after hard fghtiEg and severe
loss, being subjected to heavy fire from the
front proper and from the enemy in front of
the 9th corps, who up to this time held their
position. The second attack of the 9th corps
and the presence of troops on their right, COM
PEELED them eventually to fall back alcng the
whole line. The 9th corps was Immediately
moved forward and Joined our right, and the
troops on our left were advanced on line with
us. Works were Immediately thrown up under
Il severe fire from the enemy. Our troops still
occupy the position.
On the goth of june the I'd and Sth corps
moved to the left and extended our line for
some distance along the Weldon Railroad. We
experienced considerable difficulty in establish
ing this line, exposed as we were to the con-
slant fire of rebel sharpshOoters, who occupied
rifle pits in our front, in considerable force By
the evening of the 21st we succeeded in MAX
ing our position very strong. On the afternoon
OF the 22d, the enemy attacked and succeeded
in flanking Barlow's division and part of Glib
bOn's division of the I'd corps, compelling us
to fall back about forty rods under cover of
dense thicket where we e.formed our line.
My battalion did not leave the works until the
enemy was upon their flank front and partly in
their rear. Our loss at this point was severe.
especially in prisoners We, however, succeed
ed 10 bringing off number of the enemy. Re-
Inducements having arrived, it was determined
to drive the enemy from the works and re-es-
tablish the line. Accordingly, my battalion
was deplOyed as skirmishers and moved for
ward. The right moved but short distance
when they met the enemy's skirmish line.
which was very strong. My men forced
them back to their line of battle behind which
they took refuge. Our line of battle then
moved to the attack, and opened fire before
my men could retire, some of them exposed
to the fire of both friend and foe, held their
ground and fought until dis ,bled. After Sc
we're fighting, the enemy were finally driven
back and reoccupied the works.
Since that date no fighting of Importance
has taken place Constant firing is kept up,
but the casualties have been few.
am compelled to mourn the loss of num-
Der of good men, but feel comforted in the
knowledge that they died doing their duty
and unfolding the reputation of the gallant
ing is correct list of our losses. You will
perceive that our loss was more than one. third
of tee number engaged. We went into battle
on the 18th one hundred and fifty strong.
KILLED AND Died OF WOUNDS
Company Peter Metz, June %; James Mar
shall, Jure IS; Char'es j Clark, June IS; John
Linquist, June %; Jacob Glen, June 1S
Company -Sergt. Wm' N. Irvine, June es; Ed
ward 1aby, Jnne q.
a II iout In
June is; First Sergt. r. H. Pressnel, slightly, in
side, June IS; VIM. harrington, Slightly. in eye,
June IS: Levi Clark, severely, in hand, June Is;
James II. Carney slightly, in side, June 10; FaxOn
HayfOrd, severely in leg, June 20; Edward VeOn,
severely, in head June ~ James rabcock, severe
ly, in shoulder, June %; H. X. w. Brown, severely,
hand and side june %; Edward Erickson, severely,
mouth, June %; Andrew Evanson, severely, foot,
June %; August litchenberg, shoulder severely,
June % Lorenzo Merritt, eg, sc, erely, June %
Perry G. Townsend, hand, slightly, June %; Eras-
tus Jenkins, foot severely June p; Peter Lenner
hand, severely July s.; Edward Clifton, hand, Sc
vcrely, June ~.
Company B-Alonzo Holland, arm, severely, June
90: Lewis Bresch, foot slightly, June 16: James
Hawkes., head, severely June % Job Pratt back
severely, June 90; Hezeklah Bond foot severely.
June %; p. NOonan, leg, slightly, June o. Peter
Peterson, abdomen, slightly, June % Henry ].
Fisher foot, severely, June %; Martin Whalon.
wounded and prisoner, June %.
M'ssiNG-pRIsONERs OF wAR-JUNE %
Company IN. c: s. John w. Pride, Sergeant
Major; Sergt. JOhu May; tOrCOralS Walter Reed
j. III. A. Alpers, Geo. B. Clark, Morris Leonard
Theodore IRVINE; Prvates j G.. Baker, Julius Har,
vey, Daniel Perkins, Turner Prebble Ed A. Rider
Company B-Sergt. Joshua Dyer; Corn. DAME,
Bond Pr.vates Daniel Sullivan, George Ahrahams
Peter Bergh, Ed. Parker, Harmon Stackloffe r T
Hamilton. Martin S. Whalon.
REHABILITATION.
AIHeu. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Z
WOunoeo OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MISShg. ........................22
1olai ioss. ........................3 DO
Some of the slightly wounded are now on
duty with their companies.
To the officers of my command feel deeply
indebted for the prompt manner in which all
orders were executed, and to the men for their
GOODNESS and gallant bearing under fire, too
much praise cannot he awarded.
We were so close to the enemy on the zzd
that reyolvers were used freely. Lieut.: farKer,
with his, spoiled the evil intention OF rebel
who deliberately leveled his Enfield at MIN at
the distance of thirty feet.
/ have the honor to be, very respectfully,
'o1' o''''e"' 'e' J. c. FAREWELL
t Capt Commanding Battalion.
I'D. OBs1EN, Lieut.. and Acting Adjt