New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-04-22

Interesting Events in the Early Career o.
Oompany A.
How It Came to Be ORGANIZED AMI Its Eff
feet on the Military Organization
of the State.
Its Experiences IN Connection with Actual
Duty as Preserver Of Peace.

celebrate its 25th anniversary, it may not
be amiss to recall its early history.
Towards the close Of April, 1871, a
number of the young men of town con-
gregated at the store of JOS. Bobleter in
what is now the Beussmann building
| and then and there took the preliminary
steps to organize full fedged military
company. Those present included the
best equipped and most vigorous speci-
mems of manhood in the village at that
time and among them were quite lew
| individuals who have since risen to
stations in life of honor and distinction.
Another meeting was held sooD after at
which about thirty were present and at
which time the name of the "New Ulm
Military Co." was given to the new Or
g anization. Jos. Bobleter was chosen
as president, Geo. Walsh, who afterwards
became secretary of state in North Dako-
ta,was made secretary, and Henry Wehye
was called upon to perform the duties
of treasurer. The meetings were held
at the Turner Hall and the minutes were
kept with the greatest care and precis-
ion. Not a thing was left unrecorGed,
even to the matter of refreshments, and
to read them now, twenty-fv years af-
ter, not only affords entertainment but
amusement as well.
So much for the civil organization.
The company as military body was Of
icered as follows: Captain, Jos. Boblet-
er; list Lieutanant, Julius Kirschstein !;
2nd Lieutenant, Richard Pfefferle; Order
ly Sergeant, Frank friedman; 1st Ser
geant, Geo. Walsh; 2nd Sergeant, John
F. Neumann; Corporals, Chas. Brust,
Henry Wehye, Anton Gliding and B. su-
bilia, ranking in the order named.
The name originally given to the
company was, as has already been SAID,
the ''New Ulm Military Co." In the
year 1871, only a few months after the
organization, this was changed to Co. E
of the Second Regiment, Minnesota Ma
tional Guards, and the reason was as fol-
lows: The military spirit started in
New Clm spread to other cities of the
state and in short while there were
companies started at various places and
| battalion organization effected. In the
battalion organization Mr.. Bobleter was
given the rank'of major and retained it
until the organization went to pieces as
the result of the legislatures refusal to
afford any assistance in the way of ap-
preparations. Bobleter then resumed
co nmand of the New Ulm Com pany,
which had been temporarily in charge Of
Capt. Kirschstein, and through his deter
mined efforts and tie good will of the
boys the company remained intact and
for several years was the only one of its
kind in the state. The name of Compa-
ny E was retained until 1875 when it
was dropped and that of the New Ulm
Rifle Co. taken up.
The history of the company in those
early days is decidedly interesting. The
uniform which they wore consisted of
grey single breasted dress coats, black
trousers and black felt hat with feather.
Later on the headgear was changed to
the French Shake but otherwise the uni
form remained the same until years af-
ter. The weapons used were the Spring.
field muzzie leaders, about so bore, and
sabers for the officers. Funds were
raised by private subscription and by
entertainments and dances given at the
Turner and Arbeitcr Halls and at the
surrounding towns. The boys were al
ways ready for fun and always ready to
go down into their pockets in order to
have it.
In December, 1871, the minutes record
visit from Corporal Finke of Co. B,
First Regiment, who extended an invita-
ton to the company to attend the cere-
monies attending the Inauguration of
Horace Austin as governor in January,
1872. Twenty-three of the boys acccp-
ted the invitation and on the End of jan
uary, with Col. Pfaender, drove in sleighs
to St. Peter and from there took the
Omaha road to St. Paul. It was mem
orable visit. The boys were received at
the Turner Hall by Capt. Scheffer's Com
pany and their entertainment was royal
in every respect and as free Of expense
as it was royal. There were only three
companies present on this occasion, the
St. Paul, Minneapolis and New Ulm
troops, and Of course they were every
where the guests of honor. The boys en-
joyed it immensely and returned home
| with renewed interest in the organization