The Saint Paul globe., 1896-09-03

rlty and patriotism were always count
ed upon. In telling of his connection
with the early history of the war, Gov.
ramsey told in a speech before the
Loyal Legion recently the incident of
the tender of the first regiment Of
troops in 81. He said:
In the month of April, 1861. upon official
business OF the governor of Minnesota /
was called to the city of Washington The
knots of earnest men and aDxioUs faces in
the corridors and reading rooms OF hotels in
dicated widespread belief that there was i'm
peIne penang peril. On Saturday April 49, the
popuiation OF Washington deeply moved
by the intelligence that Fort Sumter. in the
harbor OF Charleston, had been attacked BY
insurgents, and that the garrison had sur
rendered. Early Sunday morning. accom-
panied by two citizens Of Minnesota I
visited the war department and found Secre-
tary Cameron with his hat on and papers
IN his hand about to leave his Office said:
MY business is simply as governor Of
minnesota to tender thousand men to de-
fend the government" sTSit down Immediate
ly," he replied, "and write the tender Won
nave made and / am now on my way to
the presidents mansion" This was quickly
aohe, t re- ana a. thus Minnesota became the first
to cheer the president by offers of assistance
IN the crisis which had arrived
MY action and the acceptance Of this offer
was telegraphed to ST. Paul and in few
days companies in the different towns of
minnesota were being organized. On the
9th of the month Adjt Gen. John B. San
porn issued an order that more companies
had been offered than were necessary to
complete the First regiment, and on the Sd
gay OF May, having returned to st. Paul
our. curing s april l sent telegram to the presi-
uent oHerlng a second regiment.
On the 21st Of June the First regiment
under Col. German, left Fort Smelling and
In one month, on Sunday, the 21st of July,
distinguished itself the advance of Hent-
zelman's division in the battle of Bull Run.
The Second regiment, in command of Col.
H. P. Van Cleve graduate OF West Point
Smelling n OptOhpr nd IN hp
OF January was in close conflict with the
enemy near Mill Springs, KY, Gen. Zolli-
Golfer and other Confederate officers having
fallen under their fire. third regiment,
under Col. H. G. Lester, left the state in
November, 1861; fourth, under Col. John
B. Sanborn, was soon organized. and not
long after fifth, under Col. Borgersrode,
was formed.
but while Minnesota was thus rapidly
sending forth her able-bodied men, she was
called upon to endure a trial greater than
any of her sister states. On the 18th Of Au-
gust 1852, there rushed into the governors
office at the capitol dusty and exhausted
messenger, who had been fifteen hours in the
saddle, with dispatches from Galbraith, the
Sioux agent, containing the startling intelli-
gence that the Sioux had risen and were
numbering the settlers and plundering and
burning their houses. An hour or two later
another messenger arrived from Forest. CITY
with information that the Sioux had also
killed many whites at Acton. 1t was evident
that there was a general uprising, and that
no time to be lost
| Immediately proceeded TO Fort SnellnS
and consulted as to the best measures to
protect our people, Here were only raw
recruits without arms or clothing; but at
length four companies of the Sixth regt-
ment were organized. and that night sent
up the Minnesota river to Shakopee, and
ex-Gov. H. H. Sibley, who had had long
acquaintance with the Sioux, was placed
in command. From that point they were d.
rected to proceed by land. kilograms were
sent to President Lincoln and the governors
Of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan
relative to the horrible outbreak and asking
for aid When the troops reached St. Peter
they were delayed in molding balls to fit their
arms and in preparing canister shot. By
Sept / portions Of the Third regiment which
had returned to the state and the Sixth and
Seventh regiments, which had jst organized,
were in the field On the 23d Of the month
these troops won battle with the Indians
at Wood Lake. Never before in the history
Of the republic had so many settlers fallen
from Indian barbarity. In ten days in
August about 800 white men, women and chill
dren were killed. and at least 15.0 900 persons
fed from the scalping knife to st. Paul and
other places Of security.
During the summer of 1852 the Eighth,
Ninth and Tenth Minnesota regiments OF
volunteers were organized. In January l
was elected to represent the state in the
United States senate Lieut.. Gov. Swift,
and after the 10th day of July acted as gov
ernor for the uneXpired term; he was sue
ceeded by Gov. Stephen II. Miller and both
of them in every way possible, sustained
the general government.
Minnesota during the war had not more than
10000 citizens able to bear arms She fur
nished eleven regiments OF infantry, one OF
heavy artillery three batteries of light ar
tiIlery four cavalry organizations ard two
companies of sharp-shooters. Official returns
show that she contributed 10000 in all. Min
nesota in war the future historian will be
sure to write, acted well her part.