The Princeton union., 1905-06-22

MlN ! ESOTA, THURSDAY, Jul
B&hop Ireland made the formal
pres ssntation of flags and in his speech
ne aid: Dear old flags, tattered
and8hattered, storm-beaten and bull
let-bpred, our hearts go out to you in
sweetest love, in fondest embrace.
Tslhe1teardrops bedewing our eyelids
bespeak the emotion yelling within
our souls. Dear old flags, receive our
salute most sincere in its tenderness,
most plenary in it's etfusiveness. y
One OF the features of the parade
was the presence of the grandson of
Wmp. Bercher bearing an old drum
which was used by the elder Bercher
all through the civil war. Bercher
was formerly resident of Pine coun-
ty.
The death of Col Colvill during the
reunion calls vividly to mind the
famous charge at Gettysburg. of
which he was the leader. Of this
charge ": S. Hancock says: "There
is no more gallant deed recorded in
history. I ordered these men there
because I saw I must gain few min
utes1 time. Reinforcements were CON-
ing On the run, but I knew that before
theyScould reach the threatened point
the Nonfederates, unless checked,
would seize the position. 1 would
have ordered the regiment in if I had
known that every man would be killed.
1t had to be done, and I was glad to
findsuch a gallant body of men as
the First Minnesota at hand, willing
to make the terrible sacrifice that the
occasion demanded.'
On that fateful July morning there
were were but 262 men remaining in First
Mlnnesota regiment, which lay in re-
serve. Gradually the Union men were
being forced back between the space
between the First Minnesota and Little
Round Top. The retreat became a
rout and the men of the First Mime
sofa. had to lie on their sides to per-
mlt@the retreating troops to pass
through. Willard's brigade had been
ordered to relieve the situation, but
could not arrive on time. At this
Juncture Gen. Hancock rode UP at full
speed and for moment vainly en-
deayored to rally Sickle's retreatine
men. Then he caught sight of the
First Minnesota. Galloping up he
said What regiment is this?''
FIRST Minnesota, - replied Col. Col
will. Charge those lines!" com
manded Ia Hancock. Charge shout
eaaayil
2 Silently without orders the speed
WAS changed from double-quick to
utmost speed, for in that lay the only
nope of passing through that storm of
lead and striking the enemy. With
leveled bayonets the regiment rushed
upon the first line of the Confederates,
who in turn had been slightly disor-
dered by crossing a creek at the foot
Of the slope. The first line of the
Confederates broke as the bayonets
of the First Minnesota reached it.. and
rushing back through the second line
stopped the whole advance. The First
Minnesota then poured in it's fire and
held the entire force at bay until the
Union reserves appeared on the brow
Of the hill. Then the Confederates
began to retire and the First Mime
sofa was ordered back. Of the 262
men 2l5 had fallen dead or wounded.
and only forty seven were still in line.
Col. Colvill was so severely wound
ed that all through his after life his
superb form of six feet five. inches was
bent and it was commonly said that
he carried four pounds of confederate
lead in his person.
The old flags are now safely stored
in the new capitol and never again,
in the natural course Of events, will
the ceremonies which were witnessed
on the 18th be repeated.