The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-13
WAS A FAMOUS CHARGE
THAT OF THE FIRST MINNESOTA
AT GETTYSBURG IN JULY,
1863
ONE OF FIERCEsT ON RECORD
North Star States First Regiment
of Soldiers-FulI story of the Or
Long Roll of the Killed and
Wounded at Gettysburg.

Long Roll of the Killed and
Wounded at Gettysburg.
No body of men will be more interested
than the Thirteenth Minnesota in the
story of the gallant fight Of the First
Minnesota on the bloody field of Gettys-
burg, thirty-six years ago. The remark
able charge of the men Of the North Star
state occurred July 2 1863. The regiment
had history before it broke all records
on the field "of destiny" When the news
reached Washington, on Saturday even
ing, April 10, 1861, that Maj. Anderson had
agreed to evacuate Fort Sumter next
day, Gov. Ramsey, of Minnesota, who
happened to be on visit to the capital,
FASTENED to the war department and ten
dered 1000 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. Gov. Ramsey at
once wired Lieut.. Gov Donnelly to rally
the volunteers. During Sunday, the 18th,
the day of excitement and doubt all over
the country, the armory at st. Paul was
thronged with patriots, who eventually
shouldered muskets in Minnesota's First
regiment
Recruiting went on rapidly all over the
state, and at the close of April ten COM
panies had reported at Fort Smelling for
muster in. Writing of the personnel of
these companies, Capt. William Lochren,
historian of the regiment, says: Little
personal examination of the men was nee
essary, as care had been taken to enlist
ubn ho1 of
men were brawny and stalwart, of all pro-
LESSONS, trades and callings, having many
in the ranks who sought for no office. yet
were well fitted by natural ability, edu-
cation and training to discharge well the
duties of any position civil or military
No uniforms were provided, a fact which
shows that the militia was not on a war
footing, but the state furnished each man
a blanket, pair of socks and a red
flannel shirt. Those same red shirts
played a notable part at the first battle
Of Bull Run, where many terribly bloody
noses were given all because of mistaken
identity. The regiment covered itself with
glory that day and plainly showed that
all that was wanting for a Gettysburg af-
fair was the chance.
The First was on the Henry house hill
a Bull Run, where the desperate fighting
took place. and where, it must be owned,
some ephemeral regulations vanished.
The Minnesotans supported the batteries
of Ricketts, and Griffin when they were
trying to hold the key to the field in the
face of Stonewall Jackson, Bee, Barlow
and the rest When the batteries had a
chance to sweep the Southerners from
the field with their well-planted guns, the
artillery chief told them to hold their
fire, for the supposed enemies were
friends. The order was obeyed, and in
moment almost the Confederates at close
range moved down gunners, horses and
officers, wrecking the batteries and really
deciding the issue on that hill. One of
the charging regiments from Alabama
wore red shirts, and that doubtless led to
some 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 well as warned by
the order to federal gunners, they let
drive at red, gray and butternut alike.
They stayed 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, expect
ing a renewal Of the fight next day Dur
ing the night the line was aroused and
ordered to retreat to Washington.
German was q native of Kentucky, Of
Irish ancestry. He had fought in Mexico
as colonel Of the Third Indiana. Through
out its career and under other leaders
the First. was noted for the same pluck
that distinguished it at Bull Run At the
charge on Maryes heights, Fredericks-
burg, regiment on the right OF the First
Minnesota gave way under a sharp can
nonading, and shortly two others broke
to the rear. The Minnesotans stood fast |
and Gen. Howard said to Gen. Alfred !
Sully, the second leader of the regiment, |
'Sully, your First Minnesota doesn't |
run Sully was a West Point soldier,
with due pride in his men Somewhat
tartly he replied Gen. Howard, the First |
Minnesota never runs"
AT Gettysburg the regiment was COM
manded by Col. William Colvil1 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
We're surprised to learn next morning
that he was shot through the breast.
The story of the charge of the First
Minnesota at Gettysburg during a crisis !
IN the tight of Siclles' Third corps is at
this late day receiving some attention
from war historians, but not what 1t de- |
serves.
A"oio were ZoH men IN the eight compa- !
MES present at the time. Forty-seven |
rallied on the return. Seventy-five Law !
dead or dying. and nearly twice that
NUMBER was wounded. Not one was miss |
Ing, not one surrendered, not one dodged |
the ordeal or left the fiery ranks. at |
had to be done" said Hancock, land I |
was glad to find such gallant body OF !
men willing to make the sacrifice"
Roll OF Honor of the First Minnesota
List of the killed and wounded In the
famous charge at Gettysburg:
WOUNDED JULY 2. 1868.
Charles Powell Adams, Maj Mark w. |
Downie and Adiutant John Peller
Company A I, Al Delv n. Charles $.
quhar, Nicholas Guntzer. Charles f. |
Hausdorf Stephen Lyon, Harrison |
Lyons Rascellas $. Mowry, Charles Null |
Joseph THEM.
!CompaalnlIy, B-capt; Thomas Sinclair,
Albert Caplaz, Bartholomew Carriegiet |
Frederick Crome, John D. Densmore
Morritz Ehrhardt, Peter Everson, Charles
son, David Lord, Adam Marty. Fridolin
Albert Poole And; Andrew P: o&ist. John p
ems, Joseph A. Tanner and Edwin Wells
Company D-Capt. Chris B. Heffeifn- !
ger, Lieut.. Ellet P. Perkins. Lieut. viii
Bryant, Lewis B. Geer August A. Goep-
pinger. Archibald E. Howe, Jacob w.
Nag5s B Be5smn NJ Martin Nth Themes mas
Rines. Calvin D. Robinson, Daniel Suili-
van, VIII am c.. Smith. Joseph Smythy-
man and James w Walsh
Company E-George NJ. Adams. Edward 7
A. Austin, Amos o. Berry, Charles A. I
Berry James 8. Brewer Henry c. Bad
Icy 1,y John Curry, Hiram Drake ;,, BENJAMIN