The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21

Bull Run, South Mountain,
Balls Bluff, Antietam,
Yorktown, Harrisburg,
West Point, Charleston,
Fair Oaks, Ashbys Gap,
Peach Orchard, Fredericksburg, No. /.
Savage Station, Fredericksburg, No. 2.
White Oak Swamp, Haymarket,
Glendale, BristoW Station,
Malvern Hill, Flint Hill,
Gettysburg.
To the history Of the New First-snce the
organization Of the First Minnesota Battalion,
afterwards increased to full Regiment we
will confine ourselves.
THE FIRST MINNESOTA BATTALION.
After the muster on: of the old First at the
expiration of it, term of service, enough Of
the new signiied their intention ofre-enlisting,
to fill with few whose term Of service had
not expired) two companies. They were at
once Organized in command Of Major j. G.
FarweIl and sent to Washington, where they
arrived on the Esd Of May, 1854. They were
soon sent to White House Landing, and from
there to the Second Corps. where they took
First Brigade, First Division. They ct once
took part in Grants
CAMPAIGN BEFORE PETERSBURG.
Major Farwell. in an official repart dated July
20. gives the record of his battalion in the "
rious engagements before Petersburg.
THE ADVANCE ON PETERSBURG.
We marched from Coal Harbor on the 18th,
and crossed the James river at Wilcoxs Land
ing on the 18th of June. On the morning of
the 18th, at one o'clock, we advanced to the
immediate front of Petersburg, and threw up
works, which we occupied. On the evening
of the 18th an assault was made on the enemys
t.. MI ID Ia
success. My battalion was stationed as sup
port to the 9Th Maine Battery, which, during
the action, was enabled from the effectiveness
of its fire to advance midway between our
works and those of the enemy.
THE BATTLE OF JUNE Is.
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 attached, on the right. At given signal
the whole line charged the enemys works, the
1st brigade being led BY Gen. Pierce. who was
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.
l then received orders from General Pierce
(who still retained command) to deploy my
command az skirmishers and move forward,
running perpendicular and striking the City
Point Railroad, about half Q mile from Peters
burg. This was accomplished after hard fight
ing and severe loss, being subjected to heavy
fire from the front proper, and from the enc
my 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
back along 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 ~. Works were Immediately
thrown up under severe fire from the enemy.
Our troops still occupy the position.
THE BATTALION KNTRKNcHED.
On the Goth of June the 9Th and 9Th corps
moved to the left and extended our line for
some distance along the Weldon Railroad, we
experienced considerable difficulty in estab.
fishing this line, exposed as We were to the
constant fire of rebel sharpsho0ters, who oc-
cupied rife pits in our front, IN considerable
ceeded in making our position very strong.
THE BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD.
On the afternoon of the 22d the enemy at
tackled and succeeded in f1anking Barlow's Di.
vision and part of Gibbons Division of the I'd
rods under cover of q dense thicket where we
reformed our line. My battalion did not leave
the works until the enemy was upon their
flank, front and partly in their year.
Our loss at this point was severe, especially
in prisoners. We, however, succeeded in
bringing off q number of the enemy. Rein
forcements having arrived, it was determined
to drive the enemy from the works, and re-es.
tablish the line. Accordingly my battalion
was deployed as slkirmishers and moved for.
ward, the right moved but Q short distance.
when they met the enemv's skirmish line
which was very strong. Ny men, however.
forced them back to their line of battle, behind
which they took refuge. Our line Of battle
then moved to the attack and opened Ore be.
fore my men could retire, some Of them az.
posed TO the fire of both friend and foe, held
their ground and fought until disabled. After
severe fighting, the enemy were finally driven
bock and re-occupied the works.
since that date no fighting of importance has
taken place Constant. firing b kept I'D. but
the casualties have been few.
THE LOSS OF THE BATTALION.
lam compelled to mourn the loss of q mum.
knowledge that they died doing their duty and
upholding the reputation Of the gallant little
safe which they represent. The following u
To- M more than one-third Of the number
eneaged. We went into battle ON the 18th one
hundred and fifty strong.
THE Losses are thus summed up.1
Killed .......ss.. z
WOunooo. .....''''''.. ...'............ 70
Mloo1ng u