The Saint Paul globe., 1897-09-25
Capt. Joseph Burger, of ST. Paul,
Gets a Medal From Congress.

u
Gets a Medal From Congress.
Capt Joseph Burger doesn't take any
stock in the saying that republics are
ungrateful. In the presence Of large
and friendly assemblage, including the
highest city officials, Capt. Burger re-
ceived last night from the hands Of the
commander of his regiment, the Second
Minnesota, a medal awarded him by
the congress of the United States, for
gallantry on the field of battle Gen.
j. w. Bishop, who was colonel of the
Second Minnesota at the time Capt.
Burger distinguished himself, made the
presentation. Several speeches follow
ed.
The exercises took place at Central
hall under the auspices of the Sons Of
Veterans, Camp No. /. On the plat
form sat such distinguished guests as
Mayor Doran, City Comptroller J. ].
McCardy, Congressman F. G. Stevens,
Gen. John B. Sanborn, Gen. j. w.
Bishop, Rev. Mr.. Koeberl, Rev. Mr..
Koentg, County Auditor D. M. Sullivan
and Timothy Reardon. Later in the
evening, the hero of the occasion, Capt.
Burger, was invited to a seat on the
rostrum, as was Comrade James Allen,
of Garfield post, who also wears a
medal awarded him by congress for
bravery in action. Capt P. E. Henin-
ger. of Sons Of Veterans, Camp No. l,
called the aSSemblage to order and in
troduced Col. E. H. Millham, past divi-
sion commander of the state, who pre-
sided as master of ceremonies.
After preliminary programme, COLI
sisting of a silent drill executed by
Master Sherman Krch, and cornet
solo by Past Capt. c. E. easier, Of
Camp No. 1, Past Capt. Shirk, of Camp
No. 1, read the communication from
Secretary of War Alger notifying Capt
Burger that he had received the medal.
By previous request of Capt. Burger,
Gen. Bishop was assigned the pleasant
duty Of making the presentation. He
did so, and in a highly felicitous man.
ner related the~incidents of the cam
paign that preceded and accompanied
the gallant conduct of Capt. Burger,
for which, thirty-four years later, he
was to receive the reward vouchsafed
to comparatively few. The gallant
conduct consisted in desperate conflict
between a squad of fifteen men, in
Guiding Capt. Burger, who was then
a private, in rescuing twenty-five
wagons and horses, with which they
were sent out on a foraging eXpedi-
ton, from the attack of a Confederate
cavalry detachment numbering over
125 men. They returned to their regi-
ment with the wagons loaded with
corn and other provisions, besides three
Confederate cavalrymen and several
Of the rebs' horses.
After recounting the details, Gen.
Bishop opened the medal case, and,
calling Capt. Burger from the audi
ence, pinned the medal on the cap
tain's coat.
The medal is of bronze, and bears
the inscriptions:
''The Congress to Private JOSEPH.
Burger, Company H, Second Minneso-
ia, for Gallantry at Nolinsville, Tenn,
Feb. Is, 1868"
Capt Burger expressed his deep ap-
probation of the high honor conferred
upon him, and graciously attributed
the brave and dauntless conduct of
the Second Minnesota at all times to
the inspiring example set by its COM
manding officers, of whom Gen. Bishop
was one.
Then followed speeches by Mayor
Doran, Congressman Stevens, Comp
troller McCardy, Gen. Sanborn, Oar
Reese, Rev Mr.. Koeberl, Rev. Mr.
Koenig, D. M. Sullivan and Timothy
Reardon Miss Bertha Pittman recit~
ed 1.-The Palmetto and the Pine" and
other appropriate selections.
Letters of regret were read from
Col A. R. Kiefer, Judge Collins, of the
supreme court, and Gen. M. D. Flower.