The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-31
THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.

Just th1rty-seven years ago the Union
forces were recovering from the disastrous de-
feat suffered at the battle Of Bull Run While
the news of Bull Run depressed the people
Of the North, there was no lack Of confidence
on the part OF the people. Later the intelli-
gence Of Gen. McClellan's victory in West
Virginia inspired the North with an increased
feeling of confidence At that time the
Southern army was estimated at 1S5,000,
which comprised It's best so diery, while the
Northern forces were not perfected Unit
some time after. Congress. in July, provided
fer a direct war tax. by which 1t WAS
estimated that 500, 900, 900 could be raised
Every loyal citizen took pleasure in bearing
his share Of the expense Of the nations con-
1ict. which was not unlike the one of to-
day, as it was in UNFOLDING principal rather
than an effort at acquiring territory. Though
the early war the gallant First Minnesota
continually distinguished itself, in the very
thickest Of the battles never wavering once
on the field of conflict
Morris Lamphrey made a donation Of $1C0
for the First regiment. Tho money was
taken to Washington by John B. Sanborn
who was at the time adjutant general of
Minnesota, and from there sent direct to the
regiment. This was only one of the many
liberal donations made by st. Paul people
during 81.
After the first bloody battle Of the war
there were many promotions of Minnesota
people, as a reward for bravery. Col Cor
man was late in July. made brevet brlgadier
general and many others Of the First rece vad
military honors.
An unfinished letter was found In a Rebel
camp, near where the battle of Bull Run
was fought, and sent home to Minnesota
man. 1t included a paragraph, as follows:
Il So agen dear Malindy wear fitting for our
l1burties to do Just as We please and we
will fit for them so long as Godemity gives
us breth"
A private in the First Minnesota described
the scene in the hospital after the battle of
Bull Run, as follows: 1.-THE scene was too
frightful and heartrending to witness. much
more to describe. On the floor and in the
galleries of the church, which was Used as
hospital, there were sixty or seventy wound
ed in every possible way. arms and legs sh t
Off; some dead and scores gaping for water
and aid. The woods and lanes around tie
church were strewn with manned and mutt
lated heroes. There sits a colonel, with his
arm bound up, asking to be put on his
horse, and led back to his regiment; here
lies a captain with grape shot through his
head, ana the blood and brains OoZing out
as we touch him tenderly to see if he is dead
and yonder comes a pale chaplain cut by a
canister, while sword in hand, he led his
brave little parish, in the name of Almighty
God, to fight, and again enter the hospital
with him. Oh. God. what hideous sight"
call for a state political cen
vention was issued, signed by sev-
eral hundred of the first CT .zers
of the state. irrespective of political afflia-
tons. After reciting the objects of the cal,
paragraph appeared as follows: ''The r.
vival of party names and dogmas in the
present condition of public affairs is caIcu'a eli
to distract and divide the councils of the ma
ton by engendering strife and dissent Oh
among patriotic people of all classes
1t was with a view 10 putting aside party
lines, and rallying to the assistance OF the
nation that the convention was called to
select public spirited men, who would b st
serve the state and country during the dark
hour of it's peril.
The following names appeared on the call:
Peter Berkey w. H. Tinker, Samuel R. Bend,
William Branch, H. r. Bigelow. ]. l. B5au-
mont, Bruno Beaupre. Richards Gordon, R. c.
Munger, E, S. Goodrich, John Nicols, A. II.
Cathcart, r. R. Nelson, Harvey Officer and
many others.