The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-10-15

dences OF the struggle gone through.
Somebody got hurt, and the statement
may be verified by reference to the roll
of honor at the close of this article.
The regiment had history before it
broke all records on the field ~'of des-
tiny. When the news reached Wash
ington on Saturday evening, April 13,
1861, that Major Anderson had agreed
to evacuate Fort Sumter next day, Gov
ernor Ramsey of Minnesota, who hap
pened to be on a visit to the capital,
FASTENED to the war department and ten
deTed 1, 900 men to uphold the flag. The
offer was made known to President Lin
coin and accepted by him before he
wrote the call for $4,000 men. Govern
or Ramsey at once wired Lieutenant
Governor Donnelly to rally the volun-
teers. During Sunday, the 18th, the
day of excitement and doubt all over the
country, the armory at st. Paul was
thrcnged with patriots, who eventually
shouldered muslSets in Minnesota's First
regiment.
Recruiting went Oh rapidly all over
the state, and at the close Of April ten
companies had reported at Fort Smelling
fer muster in. Writing Of the personnel
OF these companies, Captain William
Lochren, historian Of the regiment,
says: Little personal examination OF
the men was necessary, as care had been
taken to enlist none who had any per
sonal defect. The men We're brawny and
stalwart, Of all professions, trades and
calllngs, having many in the ranks who
sought for 10 Office, yet we're well fitted
by natural ability, education and train
ing to discharge we'll the duties of any
position, civil or military No uni
forms were provided, fact which
shows that the militia was not on war
footing, but the state furnished each
man blanket, a pair of socks and red
flannel shirt. Those same red shirts
played notable part at the first battle
OF Bull Bun, where many terribly
bloody noses were given all because of
mistaken identity. The regiment cover
ed itself with glory that day and plain
~ showed that all that was wanting for
a Gettysburg affair was the chance.
The First was On the Henry house hill
at Bull Run, where the desperate fight
ing took place, and where, it must be
owned, some ephemeral regulations van
ished. The Minnesotans supported the
batteries Of Ricketts, and Griffin when
they were trying to hold the key to the
field in the face of Stonewal] Jackson,
Bee, Barlow and the rest. When the
batteries had a chance to sweep che
southerners from the field with their
well planted guns, the artillery chief
told them to hold their fire. for the sup
posed enemies were friends. The order
was obeyed, and in a moment almost
the Confederates at close range moved
down gunners, horses and officers,
wrecking the batteries and really decid-
ing the issue on that hill. One of the
charging regiments from Alabama wore
red shirts, and that doubtless led to some
of the confusion as to friends and foes.
The Minnesotans, however, knew that
their own red shirts covered no backs
but their own, and although appealed to
by Confederates, as we'll as warned by
the order to Federal gunners, they let
drive at red, gray and butternut alike
They staid on the hill until the enemy
disappeared and they themselves were
ordered to retire. When the survivors
reached Centerville that night, they
laid their bivouacs and Went to sleep,
expecting a renewal Of the fight next
day. During the night the line was
aroused and ordered to retreat to Wash
ington.
German was q native Of Kentucky, of
Irish ancestry. He had foughtin Mexico
IF +bo s,,l To-
Throughout it's career and under other
leaders the First was noted for the same
pluck that distinguished it at Bull Run.
At the charge on Marye's Heights,
Fredericksburg a regiment ON the right
: of the First Minnesota gave way under
sharp cannonading, and shortly two
others broke to the rear. The Minneso-
tans stood fast, and General Howard
said to General Alfred Sully, the second
leader of the regiment, "Sully, your
First Minnesota doesn't run. Sully
was West Point soldier, with due
pride in his men, Somewhat tartly he
replied, General Howard, the First
Minnesota never runs. -
At Gettysburg the regiment was
commanded by Colonel William Colvill,
man OF Spartan mold, worthy to be
first among the braves he led that day
into the jaws Of death. In the battle Of
the Glendale thickets, on the peninsula,
while captain Of company, he was
desperately wounded, but gave his men
no sign. They were surprised to learn
next morning that he was shot through
the breast.
The story Of the charge of the First
Minnesota at Gettysburg during crisis
in the fight Of Sickles' Third corps is at
this late day receiving some attention
from war historians, but not what it de-
serves.
There were 262 men in the eight com
panies present at the time. Forty seven
men rallied on the return. Seventy five