St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-25

Az SOulo tllll0 uuTliiS tIl0 WAL Ills UdtdllOH
was consolidated with the Fifth Iowa cav
airy. but subsequently he commanded
battalion under Gen. Sully and received two
commissions from the president Of the
United States, those of lieutenant colonel
and colonel, for gallant and meritoriOus
services
Hatch, who commanded the other ba-
TALON. was full OF energy and courage. He
engaged In the war from patriotic reasons
and from love of
ADVENTURE AND DARING,
and never let an opportunity pass when he
could enjoy hazardous dash upon an en-
envy. He has passed over to the other side,
but he has left behind him spOtless name,
both as soldier and citizen, of which his
family may be justly proud. Minnesota
through Gov. Ramsey. has the honor of be-
ing the first state to tender troops to the
president for the purpose of suppressing the
Rebellion. and also Of being the first state
to furnish regiment for three years, or
during the war; When the news reached
Washington of the bombardinent Of Fort
Sumter Gov Ramsey happened to be in that
city, and at once proceeded to the war Office
and made formal tender of 1000 men. He
telegraphed his action to Liet. Gov Dom
nelly, who notified the Pioneer guards.
hio VI SuliLdtiOu uOV VII SilC odulO OVOtIlu5s
and volunteers were called upon to enroll
their names, and let it be said to the credit
Of JOsias r. King, now inspector
general of the state, that he
was the very first to sign
his name and volunteer. This was on the
14th day OF April, 1861. and the night be-
fore President Lincoln issued his pr0clama-
ton calling out IS. 900 men. l believe that
King, Democrat then and now, was the
first man in the United States to volunteer
in 1861. From the beginning to the close
OF the war he was always in the fore front
of the battle, rising by regular promotion
from his place in the ranks to be a lieuten-
ant colonel, and this was Oh his merit
alone, for he had no friends to push him
forward.
The First Minnesota volunteers. with
which King began his service, by its gal
lantry. good discipline and soldierly con-
duct. earned for the state a reputation and
fame which it would not have acquired in
fifty years of peace. Its reputation was
not confined to this country only, but its
good name spread over Europe. The citi-
zens OF Brussels, in recognition of its disci-
pline. gallantry and bravery, sent to this
country ''steel battery" complete. as
token Of their esteem and admiration for
ito OpiCA0AN OA tuO OdttlC-
field.
No regiment during the entire war had
a brighter or more glorious record. None
of its men were wounded in the back. for
their faces were ever to the foe. Where
great danger was to be encountered or inn
portant points were to be held. this regi-
ment was always selected and always met
the expectation of its friends. 1t never
faltered nor finched in the discharge of its
duty, but was always at
THE POST OF DANGER
until the lurid fire of the most wicked and
causeless rebellion ever cOnc0cted by the
malice and Vaccinations of treason burnt
themselves out amid the black ashes Of
overthrow and defeat.
At Gettysburg Gen. Hancock assigned it
to hold the crest of Cemetery hill, the key
to the Union position. saying to Col. Col
vile that the safety Of the day depended
upon that position remaining in our posses
sion until re- endorsements could arrive.
The rebel divisions Of Garnett and Hill
were in plain view charging upon this
point determined on carrying it for its
strategic Importance. The regiment had
been reduced by the casualties of war to 315
men and $40 of these were killed or
wounded on that dreadful occasion. but the
glorious little band of heroes held the point,
around which the fortunes of that desperate
day revolved.
What the First was to the Army of the
Potomac the Second was to the Army of
the Cumberland But on every field where
Minnesota was represented by her troops,
her name and fame was on every tongue.
At home there was frightful outbreak
among the Indians, and had it not been for
the good management of Gen. II. 81. Sib-
ley, who was in command of the district of
Minnesota, the loss of life would have been
simply appalling. But by good manage
ment and the efficiency of his troops the in
cipient rebellion or outbreak was soon sup
pressed. and the most prominent leaders
were brought to pay the penalty of their
crimes by the forfeiture of their lives.
When the war was over our brave boys
came marching home.
To-day, all over the state, these veterans
of many battletields are to be found. oc-
cupying positions Of honor. profit, useful
ness and eminence. In whatever enter
prises they have embarked, they are found
in the front rank. even as they were ever
in the vanguard of battle. Whether in the
humble places Of the land. or in the higher
strata of the professions, we have no cause
to blush for the old soldiers Of Minnesota.
DAYS OF WAR
and deeds of vaIor seem like dreams gone
by, but if ever stern justice or memorable
need shall call for them. there is large
remnant of these heroes within easy reach
of the bugle calls of our country, who can
develop and invest those dreams with all
the vivid force and power Of a grand and
genuine reality. There are three persons
of whom mention should be made although
neither went to the field of battle, yet their
services were equally as valuable. I refer
to Alexander Ramsey, Henry NJ. Rice and
Morton S. Wilkinson. The first named as
governor of our state was untiring in his
efforts to furnish troops for the war, and he
was particularly fortunate in making his
selections OF regimental commanders The
great success Of our troops was due. in
great measure, to the splendid officers in
command of them, and much of the credit
they won should be attributed to his wise
and judiciouS selections of able, skillful COM
manders for the various commands organ
lied by him. Mr.. Rice and Mr.. Wilkinson
were our United States senators and as
such were in hearty sympathy with the
friends of the government. writing and CO.
operating with them in voting men and
money to carry on the war to successful
conclusion.
What shall say of the rank and file? I
wish I could mention each one BY name
and speak of his deeds of thigh emprise,"
but the limits OF this article will not allow
it. There is warm place in my heart for
the private soldier, who, for mere pittance,
faced the lannon's mouth, and through
whose bravery and devotion to duty the
monster Rebellion was crushed and peace
blessed peace, restored to all parts of our
national domain. May God bless the sur
viving veterans of the late war.