The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-25
THE FOURTH Minnesota
VETERANS AT HOME.
THEIR SERVICES IN THE
a SOUTH.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE REG
INTENT AND DATES OF
COMMISSIONS.

tered into service at Fort Smelling on the 23rd
of December of that year, and in April of 1862
was ordered to the front, AMI entered upon ac-
one thousand strong. Its numbers have been
reduced over One-third by the various casual
ties of the several campaigns in which it has
been engaged. Of those remaining on its rolls
two hundred and seventy-siX have enlisted for
a second term of three years. and these are
now returned home on the veterans furlough
Of thirty days. 1t is therefore an appropriate
time for presenting such review ofits services
as our crowded columns will admit, in order
that our readers may be reminded how well
the Fourth has earned the gratitude and admir-
alton of all Mnnesotians.
The service of the Fourth Minnesota has in
cluded near two years of guard and camp and
garrison duty, marches and countermarches, in
the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama
and Georgia. In that time it has met the enc
my in several of the most important battles
and engagements that have been fought by the
armies of General Grant, and has always per-
formed its whole duty. The accidents of war
acquire marked pre-eminence above its fellows
for brilliant enterprises, but it has undoubtedly
performed as much real service, and exhibited
as great superiority in drill and discipline, as
many other regiments that, by the Partially
OF newspapers, or the bOasting of their own
officers and men, have been pulled and lauded
into undeserved prominence. The truth is,we
&I,o 81 Il
as near giving correct pictures of our battles,
as the general newspaper correspondence or
even the official reports have furnished of most
of the battles of the first two years. That
there is now a great improvement in this re-
spect, evidences that not only the army but the
people are learning something of the art of
war, and indicate a correct understanding of
the fact that the life of the soldier is one of
practical duties, requiring patient endurance
beyond all other good qualities. We are
confident that the Fourth Regiment has
not failed in this respect, and while
we believe that its good name as regi-
ment is fully deserved by its faithful perform
ance of all duties in camp, in garrison and
upon the march, we can also record that
upon the field of battle it has shown that des-
perate daring of danger which is popularity
supposed t, characterize our American SOL
diery. There is no record from which we can
compile its long and useful service in full, and
we can only refer briefly to its principal battles
On the 10Th of September, 1862 in the after
noon, upon the heights overlooking the beau
tiful little town of Iuka, the brigade of which
the Fourth Regiment was part, and which
was commanded by its Colonel, bore the brunt
of the battle of Iuka. The regiment, CON-
manded by Capt. Legro, went into the fight
four hundred and eight in number, and lost
nine killed and thirty:five wounded. The at
tack of The rebels was heavier upon other Dor
tions of the brigade line, but the Fourth per
formed its allotted work well and aided in the
repulse of the desperate charge of the enemy
by accurate firing.
On the Sd and4th of October, 1862, the reg
iment again met the rebels. 1t was posted
upon the extreme right of our line, near Cor
NTH. and there, under fire of the enemy.
changed front and position with the regularity
and precision of the parade ground. 1t also
charged towards the eremy'S lire in the face
of his fire. and drove him from the position he
had held by the display of its line advancing.
at a double-quick in good order. In this affair
it lost three killed and eight wounded Col
SanbOrn's report mentions that the endurance
as well as valor of the regiment deserved high
praise During period of nine DAYS of the
most heated and uncomfortable weather." at
the time OF the battle in the village near by
the thermometer indicated 1889 in the shade,
the regiment marched one hundred and
thirty miles, and for two days and nights were
engaged in one of the most extensive and des-
perate battles OF the war;
On the 23d of April. 1863 the Fourth Regi-
ment marched from Milliken's Bend, via Rich
mOnd, Hard Times Landing and Benusberg to
Port Gibson, and thence by Hankensons
Ferry. Rocky Springs, Utica, Raymond Cln-
ton, jackson, Champion Hills, Edwards Sta.
ton and Black River Crossing to the rear of
Vicksburg. Near Port Gibson, the regiment
was formed in line and advanced under a
brisk but harmless fire of the enemy's artillery.
May 18th it was again in line Of battle on the
left Of LOgans division in the artillery fight
near Raymond. May 14th, about two miles
from jackson, it Supported another regiment
men wounded. May 10th, the Fourth was
sent to the front at Champion Hills, to re-
lieve the right of LOgan's division and ad-
vanced beyond our lines and captured one
hundred and eighteen rebels, with loss of
two wounded. May 21st the regiment was
assigned its position in the line against the
rebel works at Vicksburg. Since leaving
Millikenis Bend, April 23d, with five days
rations, it had marched more than two hun
bred miles, delayed, with the rest of the army,
by drenching rains and muddy roads, without
shelter, without transportation, and the men
carrying heavy loads. 1t had been several
times under fire and its conduct all the time
had been satisfactory to the generals and it's
commanding officers.
May 22d it engaged in the grand and glori-
Gus though unsuccessful charge upon the enc
my's works. and contended for some two hours
for the possession of one of the earthworks.
with loss of twelve killed and forty-two
wounded. The next day it received its first
issue of full rations since leaving Milliken's
Bend.
The Fourth remained before the rebel works.
and was for thirty-nine successive DAYS within
the range of their fire. 1t performed its full
part in the continued labor and watchful-
ness that were crowned on the 4th of July
with complete success in the surrender of
Vicksburg.
In the recent operations of the army near
Chattanooga this regiment has borne honora-
Bile part, and if not distinguished by being
placed in positions of greatest peril has
maintained its reputation for steadiness and
good behavior under all circumstances.