The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-23
1ST MINI, AT GETTYSBURG.
An Account of the Finest RegImentnl Charge in
History

| was written by Lieut.. VIM LoChrcn, of that
| regiment, for the State History of Minnesota in
tho War. Lieut.. Loohren who was recently
| appointed Judge Advocate General of the Grand
Army of the Republic, went into tho charge
with bis company, which had 50 men, of whom
II were killed and 10 wounded. Among the
former was the Captain of the company, aud
Lieut. Lochren brought the regiment of the
field. The account goes:
Early IN the morning, just after we reached
tho battlefield, Col. Colvill was relieved from
arrest and assumed command of the regiment
aud Co l. Gshnrpshooters) was detailed to sup
port Kirby's battery, near tho Cemetery, and
ala not rejOin us during the battle. WILDLY
ing here one man was killed, aud Sergt o. NJ
Knight. OF 90. |, was severely wounded by
shells from tho enemy. Some timo after noon
Slckles advanced the Third Corps half n mile
or more, to slight ridge near the Emmitsburg
road, his left extending to Devils Den, in front
OF and noar the base of Little Rouud Top and
20. Il Capt John Ball) was detached rs Skin
miSherS aud sent in that direction. Soon after
the remaining eight companies of the regiment,
numbering 262 men Co G was also absent, be-
ing the proyost-guard of the divsion) were
sent to the center of the limo Just vacated by
Sickless advance, TO support Battery Of the
9TH u. S. Art. No other troops were then near
u.s. and we stood by this battery. in full view
of Sickles's battle In the Peach Orchard half n
mile to the front, aud witnessed with eager
anxiety the varying fortunes Of that sauguin-
AIRY conflict until ut length, with gravest ap.
prchension, we saw Sicklos's give way be-
fore the heavier forces of Longstrcct and Till,
and come back. slowly at first, and railyiug Mt
short intervals. but Mt leugth broken and iii
inter disorder, rushing down the slope. by tho
IrOstle House, across the low ground up tho
slope on our side, and past our posi- ton to the
rear, followed 10y u strong force-the large Bri-
gales of Wilcox and Bark sdalo-in regular
ct tlxy ia I,a las nTt yirt
and firing on tho fugitives. Thoy had reached
the low ground, ana in q few minutes would
be mt our position, on the rear of the left flank
OF our limo, which they could roll up. rs Jack
son did the Eleventh Corps at ChancellorsVille.
There was no organized force near TO oppose
thom except our handful of 262 men. Most
soldiers, IN the face of the near advance OF such
mn ovcrp0wcring force which had Just defeated
n considerable portion Of an army corps, would
have caught the panic aud joined the retreat
ing masses. But the ist MINI. had never yet
deserted any post, had never retired without
orders, and desperate rs the situation seemed,
aud - IL was, the regiment stood firm against
whatever might come. Just then Hancock,
with single Aid, rode mp at full speed, and for
moment yainly endeavored to rally Sickes's
rctrcHting forces Reserves had been sent for,
but woro too far away 10 hope TO reach the
critical position until 1t would be occupied by
the enemy, unless that enemy were stopped.
Quickly leaving the fngitives Hancock spurrcd
10 where we stood, calling out rs he reached
lis, " What regiment is ths2" First Mime
sofa" replied Cnlyiil charge those lines!
commanded Hancock. Every man realized in
an instant what that order meaut-death or
wounds 20 us all the sacrifice of the regiment
TO gain few minutes time and save the posi-
ton aud probably the battleheld-and every
man saw and accepted the necessity for the
sacrifice, aud responding 10 Colyil'5 rapid or
ders, tho regiment in perfect line with arms
at right shoulder shift" WAS ia moment
sweeping down the slope directly upon the en-
emys center. No hesitation, no stopping 10
fire. though the men fell fast at every stride
before the concentrated fire of the whole Con
federato force directed upon rs soon the
movement was observed. Silently, without
orders and, almost from the start. double quick
had changed - utmost speed far in utmost
speed lay the only hope that any of us would
pass through that storm OF load and strike tho i
enemy. "Ehargci" shouted Colyili. as we
nearcd their iirst line; aud with eyeled bay.
onets. ~ foil speed, we rushed npon IL; forfu.
uately. rs it WIS slightly disorderch in crossing
n dry brook AZ the foot % a slope. The men
were never made yho viii stand against legeIsd
bayonets coming with such momentum and
evident desperation. Tho first line broke in
our front as We reaciag H. aud rushed back
through the second liue, stopping the whole
advances. We then poured in our dgst FIRE, aud
banks Of the dry brook afforded, hold the on.
tire force at bay for considerable time. aud
until our reserves appeared OF the ridge wo had
left. Had the enemy rallied quickly 10 a couu.
ter charge. It's great numbers would have
crushed Us 10 a moment, aud We would have
made but slight pause in its advance But
tho terocity of our ONSET seemed TO paralyzo
them for the time, aud although they poured
upon as a terrible aud continuous fire from the
front aud enyelopBg TANKS, they kept ut
respectful distance from baynucts until,
before the added fro OF our fresh reserves they
began 10 retro and we were ordered back
What Hancock had given rs TO do was done
thoroughly. Tho regiment had stopped the
enemy aud held back its mighty force and
saved tho position. But nj what sacrifice
Nearly every officer was dead or lay wcItering
with bloody wounds. our gallant Colonel and
every field officer among them. OF the 262
men who made the charge, 2lo lay upon the
field, stricken down by rebel bullets AZ were
still in line, and not man was missing. The
annals Of war contain no parallel 10 this
charge In its desperate yaloT complete exc
cution, successful result, aud in its sacrifice of
mon in proportion 10 the number engaged, au-
thcntic history has no record with which il can
be compared, Col Fox. in his very carefully.
prepared work on Regimental Losses in the
American Civil War;" says, at page 6s, speak
ing Of the Second Corps in this battle
The lighting deadly III the extreme. the
centage Of loss In the lst Mimi, Gibbons Division
being without ala equal Ia the records Of modern
warfare
In another place page 26l he notes that Gen.
Hancock, in speaking of this charge is reported
TO have said:
There is no more gallant deed recorded In his
tory. / ordered these men la there because ! saw
must gain I've minutes time. ksinfoTcements were
coming the run, but knew that before they
could reach the Threatened point the Confederates
uuloss checked would seize the position. | would
have ordered that regiment in II had known that
every man would bo killed. IL had To DO done and
] WAS glad TO hnd such gallant body Of men at
hand willing To make lhe terrible sacrifice that the
occasion demanded
Read Better than a Pension on page T.
r
To Prove that the Earth Turns