The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-13

On the eve of what was to be the
greatest reunion of Minnesota s first
and most famous regiment, Colonel
William Colvill, the Gettysburg COM
mander of that intrepid body of men,
entered peacefully into the long rest.
His body, SCARED and MANNED in the
defense Of the union, was found this
morning at the Soldiers home, where
he arrived yesterday for to-day's re-
union Of the old First Minnesota vol
unteers and to participate in tomor-
rows ceremonies attending the re-
moval Of the Minnesota battle flags to
the new state capitol.
charge of 262 Minnesotans against
whole Confederate brigade and checked
a threatened disastrous advance, Col
onel Colyill was a man who has en-
joyed peculiar, esteem in this state.
Wounded thrice at Gettysburg and
many times on other fields, he had
been but the mere battered remnant
of a man for forty years. But his
spirit was indomitable and his pride in
the glorious record Of the regiment he
commanded was unbounded.
The End Was Peaceful.
Bereaved and practically alone in
the world, suffering and crippled ply
sically, the old hero knew in the end
PNe~SS
ineffable imprint upon the face of the
dead, but Of which the living can
know nothing. So marked was this
evidence that the death angel had
touched the old man kindly in his
sleep, that the body was not disturbed
for hours, but lay as it had been found
passed thru the chamber gazing rever-
emily on their old commander in his
rest.
Colonel Colvill came to the city from
his Red sWing farm last night and
went directly to the Soldiers home.
Never had he appeared in better spir-
It's and his health seemed good. Last
until about Ii o'clock. He fought over
again the old fights and thedear mem-
cries of the dead soldier days were
recounted with accuracy and real pleas
ure.
Expected Good Rest.
When n4 = he retired he babe Adiutant
he felt sure of good night Is rest. His
| friend slept In an adjoining room with
the, door open between. He heard
nothing at any time in the night.
went to call the colonel he en-
tered the room and spoke to his friend.
There was NJ answer. He approached
the bed and was startled by the pallor
that had spread over Colonel Colvill g
features. He looked closer and found
that the gallant old soldier was dead.
side, with the left hand under the
cheek. The features were calm. The
bed clothes were unruffed. The old
soldier had evidently gone to sleep to
wake no more in this world, and had
passed the great divide without strug-
l rrIn md fhnr1{
Heart failure is believed to have
caused his death. Colonel Colvill had
enjoyed fairly good health considering
his many old wounds, but he had been
troubled some with his heart. The home
doctor was summoned at once, but
| there was nothing to do, as death had
! come several hours before the discov-i
cry. The coroner later visited the
home and pronounced the death due to-
heart failure.
The Reunion Saddened.
Early this morning the. survivors Of
the cold First their wives, children
at the home for the reunion. Few
knew of the loss in their membership
and when they were met by comrades
| living at the home and learned of their
bereavement, strong men wept and
the spirit of the reunion was changed
Il from JOyOuSneSS TO sorrow.
i At 10 O'Clock about seventy-fve Of
the veterans of the First had collected
at the pavilion-one of the largest re-
unions of any regiment in recent years.
They were standing in small groups
waiting for the officers and discussing
what should be done. Major McGinnis
and Major G. B. Heffelfnger arrived
together and short consultation was
held with Adiutant McCusick,s Togeth-
er they went to the little room where
Colonel Colvill lay.
Il Every effort was then made to dis
cover if their comrade had any rela-
tives at Red Wing or Cannon Falls.
No definite knowledge could be OBJ
tanned and it was decided to telegraph
to the mayors of Red Wing and Can
non Falls to see if there was any one
who wished to take charge of prepar-
aticns for the funeral. Until further
4 word is heard the body will be un-
touched.
It was at first thought that special
service might be held at the home this
afternoon, but this plan was given up.
However, in the short addresses that
, were made after the midday dinner,
the memory Of Colonel Colvill was hon,
ored.
LED MOST FAMOUS CHARGE
Nj e. III - NJ