The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-06-03

Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips
then extremists, were enunciatne the
doctrine of abolition so soon to be-
come the fighting determination of
millions. In April, 1860. Stephen A
Douglass was nominated in a conven-
ton held at Charleston, S. c.. on a
platform of popular sovereignty and
constitutional slavery: on May 10th
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and Hani
bal Hamlin of Maine were nominated
at a convention at Chicago on, plat
form diametrically opposed as to slav-
cry and more especially upon the ques-
ton of the constitutional right to make
improvements (intemaD ut the expense
OF the national treasury. I'm November
at the election after Il wordy and
bitter campaign Lincoln and Hamln
were elected. In December at CON
vention in South Carogna an ordinance
OF cessiOn was passed and this was
followed similar action i'm Georgia.
Alabama, Florida. Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas within few weeks. The
story of the bombardmcnt of Sumpter,
when the news was flashed over the
country of the call 10 arms and the
muster to arms, is familiar to all. Bull
Run, Petersburg. the Wilderness, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Vicksbnrg, Antietam and
from Atlanta to the Sea tell the story
of that memorable conflict. Never in
history did men fight with more 10y
atty to cause and more undaunted
spirit than those men on both sides
of that great conflict in that colossal
four years struggle from the scattered
and confused initiates scampering from
the field of Bull Run to the remnant
regiments of veterans at Appomatox
All the annals of history do not con
tain more heroic deeds for country
The Battle of Gettysburg.
Picture the battle of Gettysburg
the decisive battle of that great war;
the turning point in the great conflict
for right and wrong. Both armies had
been maneuvering for two weeks. Bri
gades. divisions and army corps. ad-
vanclng ten. fifteen, twenty miles, fall
ing back, throwing up breast works
and entertainments.
1--WE see the Second corps on the
first day of July of that eventful year
setting out toward the roar of distant
thunder: they meet the Eleventh corps
fleeing. routed and defeated, fleeing in
confusion; on the morning of the sec
ond day they are in line of battle,
small remnant regiment, parts OF eight
companies back of its division in re-
serve; these men of this regiment, il is
the First Minnesota. are standing on
a rise of ground inactive, waiting.
watching; before their eyes the Union
army is being routed Lon9street and
Hill drive back the whole third corps
OF Sickles back and Hancock rushes
forth in vain attempt to rally the
forces of Sickles. Presently the Third
corps in head long confusion is rushing
the remnant regiment, then the enemy.
ten thousand men advancing before a
confused foe are all but upon this rem
nant regiment. standing, watching, hold
ing their ground, awaiting orders to
rush into the Jaws of death. Five
minutes must be gained to save the
day. No force is available save the
FIRST Minnesota. Hancock rides be
fore them wavering as they contem
plate the thousands of comrades flee !.
ing before the overwhelming forces of
the enemy like chafi before Il heavy
breeze. What regiment is this?' The (
First Minnesota came back the reply
from Colonel Colvil. Charge those
lines, was the order. Never is the I
metal of men tested in battle as when
they are ordered from position in
reserve where they are out of the
excitement of the combat TO quell the
of the advancing enemy.
with quick precision. with arms at
right shoulder. shift the two hundred
sixty-two men stepped off. No hest
tation. No stopping to fire. Their