The National tribune., 1908-10-29


Time-The Union and Confederate
Losses-TerrisIe Shartering of Reg
iments on Both Sides-Prominent OIL
GERS Killed.
The Charge of the 1st Mimi.
The. heroic charge Of the 1st Mimi. at
an intensely critical point in the battle
will stand forever in history as one of
the most brilliant exploits of American
SOLDIERS, and take rank with the great
deeds of heroism and self-sacrifice
which are fruitful subjects for the pens
and pencils of the people of other Ma
lions. Nothing in the long history Of
war surpasses it, and It is very hard to
find an equal to the gallantry, unhesi-
fating self-sacrifice and brilliant success
Of the achievement Of this regiment.
While Gen. Hancock was endeavoring
to "patch up second line after the
disaster to Sickles he perceived Wilcox's
Brigade in heavy column rushing out
OF the timber at his weakest point. 1t
was vital that they should be stopped.
no matter at what cost of life, and five
minutes time gained for Hancock to
Minn. was the only force at hand. and
he sent it in, expecting every man in it
to be killed, but their lives would be
we'll spent. 1t was not all destroyed. as
Hancock had anticipated. but it sus-
tafned a loss unequaled not only in the
history of our war, but OF any war II
took 262 officers and men into the fight,
of whom SO We're killed, TIA wounded
and none missing. The loss of 224 was
26 per cent killed and S5.5 per cent
killed and wounded. The nearest ap-
proach to this was the loss of the 18th
Mass. at Antietam, where 1t had % per
cent killed. The 18th Mass claims,
however, that if it was given a deduc-
ton for one company detached for other
duty and not present in the fight its
percentage would be as high If not
higher than the 1st Minn's The Ist
Tex on the Confederate side has the
highest loss in that army, and sustained
this at Autietam, In the duel with the
18th Mass. 1t had 22s present, of whom
Is were killed and 141 wounded, max
ing total loss or 83.3 per cent
The History of Minnesota in the
Civil and Indian Wars gives this &C.
count of the charge:
"Soon after the remaining eight COM
panies of the regiment, numbering 262
men (Co. C was also absent, being the
provost guard of the division), were
sent to the center of the line just va
Gated by Sickles's advance, to support
Battery c of the 4th u. s. Art. No
other troops were then near US, and
vre stood by this battery, in full view of
Sdcldes's battle in the Peach Orchard,
half a mile to the front, and witnessed
with eager anxiety the varying fortunes
or that sanguinary conflict, until at
length, with grayest apprehension, we
saw Sfckles's men give way before the
heavier forces of Longstreet and Hill.
and come back, slowly at first, and
rallying at short intervals. but at length
broken and in utter disorder, rushing
down the Slope. by the Trostie House.
across the low ground. up the slope on
our side and past our position to the
rear, followed by strong force-tle
large brigades Of Wilcox and Barks-
dale-in regular lines. moving steadily
In the flush of victory and firing on the
fugitives. They had reached the low
ground. and In few minutes would
be at our position. Oh the rear of the
left flank of our line. which they could
roll up, as Jackson did the Eleventh
no organized force near to oppose them,
except our handful OF 282 men. Most
soldiers, in the face of the near advance
OF such an overpowering force, which
had just defeated q considerable por-
ton Of an army corps. would have
caught the panic and Joined the re-
treating masses. But the LIST Mimi had
never yet deserted any post, had never
retired without orders, and desperate
ss
the regiment stood firm against what
ever might come. Just then Hancock.
with a single Aid, rode up at full speed
and for moment vainIy endeavored to
rally Sickles's retrestins forces. Re-
serves had been sent for. but were too
far away to hope to reach the critical
position until 1t would be occupied by
the enemy, unless that enemy were
stopped. Quickly leaving the fuGitives.
Hancock spurred to where we stood
calling as he reached Us, What regi-
ment is this? list Minn..' replied Col
viii Charge those lines!' commanded
Hancock. Every man realized In an
instant what that order meant---death
or wounds to Us all: the sacrifice OF the
regiment to gain a few minutes time
and save the position, and probably the
battlefield-and every man saw and ac.
cepted the necessity for the sacrifice
and. responding to Coivills rapid orders
the regiment In perfect line. with arm.
at 'right-shoulder shift was in mo.
nasnt sweeping down the slope directly
upon the enemy's center. No hesita.
tion. no stopping to nre. tho the mel
fell fast at every stride before tho con
centrated fire Of the whole Confederat'
fo~ce, directed upon us es soon as tE'
movement was observed Silently. with
out orders. and almost from tho star
double quick had changed to utmos
speed: for In utmost speed lay tho oni!
hope thai any OF US would pass thru
that storm OF lead and strike the enc
my Charged shouted Colviil. as WI
neared their first hne; and with ievele'
faysnets. at full speed. We rushed upol
IL; fortunately. as II was slightly disor
dered In crossing q dry brook At tn
foot OF a slope The men were neve
made who will stand against levela
bayonets. coming with such momentum
and evident desperation. The first lin
broke in oSr, front as we reached II, an
rushed back thru the second line. stop
ming the whole advance. We thel
poured In our first fre. and availin
ourselves of such shelter as the 10,
banks of the dry brock afforded. hel
the entire force al bay for consider
able time, and until our reserves ap
peared on the ridge We had left. Ha'
the enemy rallied quickly to counter
charge its great numbers would hav
cflrushed US in q moment, and we woul
have made but q slight pause in II
Advance. But the ferocity Of our onss
seemed to paralyzs them for the time
and altho they poured upon us terri
BILE and continuous fire from tho fron
and enveloping tanks. they kept at re
spectful distance from our bayonet,