The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-14
Minnesota
ON SEA and LAND
Colonel Robleter's Fine War Record
in Both Arms Of the Military
Service.
Under the New Law New Ulm Elk
poets He Will Head the
State Troops. i
Special TO The journal.

Special 70 Ihe journal.
New Ulm. Mimi, April 14.--Thc passa sc
of the Eberhardt military bill and its ef-
tect upon the personnel of the official
family of the state militia, brings Colonel
Bubleter of this city once more into promi-
hence In different parts of the state. lie
has for years been the ranking officer of
the state guard and his elevation to the
place now occupied by General Bend is
conceded
The new bill provides that militia Off
GERS cannot retain their rank longer than
ten years without reelection. but they
may become candidates to succeed them
selves. The prominent officers affected
by the bill Brgadier General Bend
Colonel Joseph Bobleter, Lieutenant
Colonel G. w. Meade. of the Second infan-
try and Lieutenant Colonel c. E. Johnson
of the Third. Since General Bend has
been at the head of the state troops since
the creation of the office, there is little
reason to believe he will succeed in secur-
ing a reelection. and besides that 1T is
thought he will be willing to step out and
permit the one next in line to be honOred
with the advancement.
From the point OF service and persistent
effort TO create and hold in organization
the state troops, Colonel Bobleter Is en-
titled to this honor more than any other
man. He organized the first militia COM
pany in the state thirtytwO years ago.
for the maintenance of the organization.
but the difficulties with the Indians being
still fresh in the minds of the people OF
this part of the state they realized the
necessity of the troops and the value OF
having an organization to call upon in
case of an emergency and the colonel gave
freely Of his time and money towards
keeping the company in shape. This pre-
caution shown to be wise when the
building Of the North Western road into
the city brought a rough class OF men
here and the militia was called out on
short notice to quel the riots at this place
and at Tracy. under the command of
Colonel Bobleter, then captain
In addition to the service Colonel Bob
Letter has seen in the militia he has brill
liant army record. Enlisting In the army
at the early age Of &c. he participated in
the battle of Arkansas and Mississippi
and on account of disability was mustered
out in 1865. Immediately upon his return
to this city he re-engaged his service with
Captain Nix's command OF mounted
rangers and left for Fort Smelling, but the
examining officer would not take him
Nothing daunted. he left for the naval re-
cruiting station at st. Paul. where his
services were accepted and he assigned
to the flag ship Of Admiral Porter. He
was in several engagements and was badly
wounded at one time. barely escaping the
from the navy he enlisted in the Second
Iowa cavalry. and when peace was de
cared and the volunteer army was dis
banded he enlisted In the Thirty first
United States infantry, from which he was
discharged as a corporal in 1855 his term
of enlistment having expired. 49, ~
Upon his return to this city he organized
the original Company A, the men calling
themselves the New Ulm Guard" There
were two battalions of infantry and Mr.
Bobleter was made major Of the organza
ton About that time there was bill
introduced asking for an appropriation o
ST for each enlisted man, leaving the mel
to furnish the uniforms and other &C
coutrements. This bill was turned down
and the officers. disguised al the penurt
BUSINESS of the state. resigned their com
missions and disbanded the companies.
This left the state with no military pro
lection and Colonel Bobleter. quick to Sc
the danger. reorganlzed the New YIN
company, and for two years he maintaine'
it. Then it was mustered into what Wa
know as the Governors Guards
which Mr. Bobeter held the rank OF cap
tain. 1t soon after this that tn
trouble at Tracy arose and Governor Pills
bury telegraphed Captain Bobleter to hav
the company ready on short notice t.
march to the scene Of riot, and immedi
ately after came the order to proceed
The eueIling of this riot gave an impetu
to the formation of the state militia an
from it dates the growth Of the orsaniza
ton Upon the formation of the secon
regiment Captain Bobleter was. mad
colonel, being the senior officer in tn
guard.
Upon the breaking out of the Spanish
American war, the colonel was among TT
first to offer his command to the Unite
States and it was mustered In as tf
Twelfth Minnesota and went to Chico
maugua park where 1t awaited thru TT
summer the termination of that struggl
The calling of the election to determir
who will succeed General Bend is left wit
Adiutant General Libbey, and 1t is e!
pected he will make the call In a fe
weeks.