The Goodhue volunteer., 1864-05-04

On the 2Sth ult, pursuant to orders from
the war Department., the Minnesota First.
(save the few whose time hayr not expired
and the re enlisted men who are 10 be at.
tached to other rsginents) were formally
mustered out of service. $@
Col. Colvill. still suffering from his wound
received at Gettysburg, was not able to be
present, and 1t. Col. Adams dismissed the
regiment with the following farewell address
which is the most beautiful tribute that has
yet been paid to that noble regiment.
HEADouARrRs lsr MINI, VoLs, }
Fort SMELLING. April %, I864.}
Officers AID nen Of the First Minnesota v olun-
teers:
The time has arrived when the orgapiza.
ton Of this regiment must be broken up.
i had cherished the hope, in common
with large number of our fellow citizens,
that this event " might be deferted until
this accursed rebellion was crushed
out; but this hops has been dashed to the
ground. by whom, or from what influence.
l ain not informed. The Secretary of War
has directed that all the officers now in the
regiment, together with all the enlisted men
whose names are borne ON its organization
rolls at the time of muster into the service,
shall be discharged to morrow. This mus.
ter out will close tho history of off ,ial or.
ganizsation, but not the history Of its bril-
iant achievements. These form part Of our
contry,s glory, and will ,mblazon the rec
ords Of this war, growing brighter and
brighter, like the deeds Of Leonidas and his
Spartan band at Thermopyl@, with each
|clrcling year, as long IS the clarion notes of
war shall inspire the hearts Of generations
unborn to battle in defense Of freedom and
national honor.
Three years ago you rushed from the
peace and domestic tranquility Of your own
ftresides at the call OF tho President to meet
the insolent traitors, whose bastard hands
had trailed our glorious flag in the dust at
Sumter. You came from the hillside and
the valley, from the city md the plain, with
your brave hearts and strong arms to shed
your blo~d iu defense Of your csuntry's hon
or. You were the first rendered under that
call, and consequently the oldest regiment
in the volunteer service ofthe United State.
This is proud honor for you and the
young State you have so nobly represented
Then yon were one thousand strong, but
far stronger in your patriotic love Of coun-
try and in yonr uns~ erv:ny, unconquerablo
devotion 70 its flag No mercenary motives
induced you to enter tho service; you came
in the might and pride Of your nanhood's
strength, At the call of your bleeding coun-
Try.
The bright premise Of your first organ
ization has b en- more than fulfilled in the
glory Of your achievements. Your deeds
have world wide renown. The battle
scented breeze from Bulls Run. Edwards
Ferry, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks,
Peach Orchard, White akSwamr, Glendale
Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antiean,,
Charleston. Bris.ow Station, and the immor
tai field of Gettysburg, hive waited them
to the most distant cline. The seal Of
ur blood was stamped in imperishable
characters upon all the twenty odd, battle
folds emblazoned on yonr flag. The blood
Of over seven hundred Of your comrades 10
arms has crimsoned over these historic
fields, and two hundred and fly of them
have passed from the smoke and clangor u
the battles strife to their eternal bivouace
beyond the skies.
"They sleep their last sleep, and have
fought their last battle.
No sound can aw,ke them to glory again"
Officers and soldiers! comrades in arms!
You can return to yeur homes and the
loved ones who are waiting yaur coming
with out stretched arms and joyful hearts.
with the proud consciousness OF having welt
and nobly performed your duty. Let the
memories Of these three years associations,
the common dangers and trials ", hive
shared be cemented in the mutual blood
We have shed, carried TO our homes with US,
and cherished with al true soldiers pride
Forget all the little piques and incidents OF
the service.-cast them into the oblivion Of
the past, and hence let them lay buried for
ever. :."1 . --.:.z-...2 .~ .s"
/ Officers and soldiers OF tho 1T Min.sso!a
Voiunteers!-heroes Of twenty battles!-
now bid you An fectiona'e farewell
Never again will We assemble together un-
|til the '.sevelle' at the dawing OF ''eternity's
morning. shall summon us from the long
slumber OF the grave: to pass the "Review"
ef our own lives before the Commander in
Chief Of the Armies Of the. Skies. May a
meTciiul Providence direct your several path
ways in life and crown you with earth's
brightest honors. But however brilliant the
future may appear TO each Of you, let your
|proudest boast bs-'f Lclonyed to H. l t
uinnesotai' Farewell!ts.. s~~ VI - qr