Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-23


yell of victory from many throats, toward
that goal of all their wishes, the low crest O
Cemetary ridge. Very fortunate was it tina
the gallant commander of the Second corp
happened to be on the spot, but more fortu
| nate still that there were troops there read
and willing to respond TO any order which
could be given to them. Looking around 70
help, for help was scarce but sorel.
needed, your commander catches sigh
of that little regiment lying in the grass
He knows not who they are, bu
he calls upon them 10 charge thu
advancing foe. Up sprlpgs from the gras'
| this little band of horses. They count moi
their enemies outnumbering them ten to one
but pouring in vOlley almost in their very
| faces with shout of victory charge upon
the advancing line. The advance is checked,
than forty three of the officers and men OF the
First Minnesota lie dead and wound
ed on the holly contested ground.
In this desperate charge, your Colo
mel Colville, your Lieutenant Colonel Adams,
your Major Downie, yOur Adjutant Peller,
two captains and five lieutenants, went down
before the enemy's fire, testifying with their
blood how your regiment was led, and more
than two-thirds of the rank and file testified
with theirs how the men of the regiment
followed their gallant leaders. That was the
kind of material aud that the sort of disci-
pline and drill which had been impaired to it
In the crack regiment OF the state of Mime
sofa. AS the remnant of that gallant regi-
ment you may well be proud of your record,
and of the men who made it possible for you
to gain such renown. A few years ago stood
on the very spot where your charge was made
with member of your regiment, the present
distinguished delegate from Montana terri
tory, Major Maginnis, and as he pointed out
70, bo oft ho nifb
those eloquent words, which the remember
ance of stirring battle scenes seldom fails to
send bubbling to the lips, he described the
onward sweep Of the rebel line and the man
ner in which it was met and forced back by the
desperate charge of this littleshandful of men,
my heart was filled with admiration for that
display of courage and devotion which you
were enabled to exhibit in the cause of our
great country in battle second to none in the
whole war, whether we regard the heroism
displayed upon the field, or the important re-
suits flowing from the battle. Well NAV
the great state of Minnesota be proud for all
time of the part taken by her children on the
field of Gettysburg. On the I'd of July with a
courage not exceeded in the charge of the
s'Six Hundred" and with far more reason for
the movement, you hurled your small num-
bers against an overwhelming force. The
ground was strewn with your dead and
wounded, but You saued the battle for that
day and the following day did your part to
save it again. Your part at Gettysburg be-
comes all the more important when we reflect
upon the fact that without detracting from
the merits of any other battle fought during
the war, it may safely be said that that battle
was the turning point in the contest. On that
field the tide of rebellion reached high water
mark. That field won by us, ultimate success
was assured. Had that battle been lost sue
cess would have been far from certain and
might have been indefinitely postponed. Well
by your regiment on that great field of glory.
Your conduct in the battle was commented
upon and appreciated in the army at the time,
aud was deemed worthy of notice in general
orders from the chief executive of the state of
Minnesota. In general order No. 46, dated
general headquarters, state of Minnesota, ad-
jutant generals office, st. Paul, Minnesota,
July 90, 1868, the adjutant general of the state
in the following language thanks the First
Minnesota for it's conduct in the battle OF Get
tysburg:
"The governor and commander-in-chief of
the military forces of the state, in behalf of
the people thereof, hereby tender their heart
felt thanks to the officers and men
of the First Regiment of Min
nesota Volunteers for their gallant conduct
on the bloody but victorious battle
field of Gettysburg. Being the first contri
button of our young commonwealth to the
armies OF the nation, it devOlved upon your
regiment, not merely to maintain, but actually
to create the military reputation of the state,
and to develop for the first time the uncom-
promising loyalty and fearless bravery of our
people. The trust reposed in you has been
duly executed. You have set an example
that must kindle lofty emulation in all other
regiments engaged in the great struggle to
crush this wicked rebellion. You being now,
as We believe, the oldest volunteer regiment
in the service of the United States, and thus
being naturally entitled to stand at the head
OF tue i:ctt volunteer army of the Union, we
rejoice that you have shown yourselves
worthy to hold that exalted position, and
that, in the browning act of your glorious
career, in the battle of Gettysburg, you have
performed deeds worthy of the holy cause in
which you are engaged, and have shed an I'M
fading luster, not Only upon the arms of the
state, but of the whole Union."
1t is needless for me to say that indosre
every word OF this glowing tribute to the worth
teers, and heartily concur in the sentiments
of the closing paragraph of the order now
nearly score of years old, and which are ap-
plicable to many of you here present. "To
the wounded" SO reads tie order, 1--WE tender
our warmest symplthies, trusting that they
may soon be restored to health aud saved
to their country aud friends, and that they
may be spared to live among grateful people
long years after the flag that they have so
bravely borne to victory, shall again wave in
triumph and in peace over united people,"
Well, my friends, that time has come. The
old flag does "again wave in triumph and in
peace over q united people"
The day which we all used 10 sing Of and
sigh for in camp,
''When this cruel war is over
came, now eighteen years ago, at Appomattox,
C. H. The final triumph there was rendered
possible within two years after the victory of
Gettysburg, victory which your regiment
did so much to achieve.
We are at peace not only with ourselves, but
with all the rest of mankind. We are pros
porous. and we are united to a certain extent.
Whether we are as united as we ought to be,
and as VIC might be, is q different question,
and one which has deep interest Tor every
true lover OF his country.
All family quarrels are destined to leave be-
hind them q certain amount of soreness,
which time, a kindly feeling, and certain
amount of mutual charity are necessary to
remove.
Ours was family quarrel, and very bitter
one whilst it lasted. 1t is now over, and
members of the family, philosophical think
we'll ask themselves and each other the ques-
ton, whether We are all doing every thing i'll
our power to bring about the right stale of
feeling, and make our reunited family some
thing more than one in mere name?
Of course when the quarrel first COM
commenced we all conscientiously believed
we were in the right. You and i,
l think, will have TO concede this
much to those members of the family who
delivered SO many and such telling blows
against us ON the bloody field of battle where
the struggles will do honor to the bravery of
do not so fight who are actuated only by a
mercenary motive. 1 can never forget how
in the midst of the bitterness of the war evil
dences would every now and then crop out
amongst our men of admiration Cor the gal
lantry and genius displayed by our opponents.
can recall many an expression of admiration
for the heroism displayed by that famous old
.tStooawa1I RriUade ~ and DprSOnalIv I he.