The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-07-07
Veteran Writes Account of Early Days of Civil War When
Regiments Were Organized And Went To Aid Of
Government in Beginning Of Civil War
Gov RAMSEY OFFERS ONE THOUSAND MEN
HIS WIFE PRESENTS COLORS TO THE BOYS
National independence Day Recalls Significance Of The Coors
AS The Boys of 81 Knew The Flag And All 1t
Stood For In The Struggle
By Private, Co. B., Seventh MINI. Vols)

tender of troops came from the State
of Minnesota, the offer was at once
accepted and on the next day the
Presidents call for seven thousand
five hundred was published.
In the meantime the Governor had
telegraphed the Lieut.. Governor at
St. Paul, telling him of the offer and
it's acceptance and requesting an i'm
mediate call for volunteers. The call
was responded to enthusiastically
from all over the State and resulted
in the gathering together and organ
ling of not only the First Regiment
of Minnesota, but the First Regiment
of the Union, and one of it's men,
bers bears the distinction of being
the Senior Volunteer in the United
States service in the Civil War, he
having been the first to sign an en-
| listmcnt.
1t was but few days before the
regiment was mustered in, and drill
ing was carried on vigorously and
increasingly, and the Adjt. General
of the army was informed that the
Regiment was ready and waiting for
orders.
| Passing over the intervening days
with the change of a three years
muster-in term of service in place of
| the earlier three months, the later
days of May find our boys with a
full membership and at the State
Capitol on their way from Fort Smell
ling to the seat of war.
On that memorable May day, stand
ing at the east front of the old Capt.
toll Building in st. Paul, during the
presentation of a beautiful flag, these
boys of Minnesota and of 81, listened
to the inspiring words of that noble
and lovely lady Mrs. Anna E. Ram
sey, which with their response there
to was ever an incentive to duty and
sacred obligation throughout all the
trying ordeals which were to come
The address | give only in part; "Col
German: In behalf of the ladies OF
st. Paul, permit me to present tc
you, and thro you to the First Regi
ment of Minnesota Volunteers, this
flag, bearing upon one side the coat
of arms of our beloved State and or
the other the device, which by it!
clustering stars and radiant lines
testifies that we are still citizens o.
a great, and undivided and an en-
during nation. While it will be your
proud prerogative, wherever duty ma!
call you to defend this flag. that ma
ticn ard the principles forever inter
twined with both, it will be ours
standing at the portals of your homes
to cheer you on your way with srile
and blessings to pray for yon in hi
dark hour of conflict; and. if nee'
be, to keep bright and undying anon;
the memory of those among yGu VIII
may give up life itself for God an,
Fatherland, is reserved proud dest
ing In your hands we feel that III
honor of our young State is safe. 4
you, with firm faith we comm. il
virgin and unsullied fame. Go, .hen
sir, where your country calls, eve
remembering your depe- dence o.
Him, who alone can cover head in tn
day of battle. and who never forsake
those who put their trust in Him."
Col. German of the Regiment re
ceived the flag and in response close
with these words, "We accept thi
flag as the emblem of the cause i
which we have unsheathed on
swords, and with the help OF the Go
of Battles, we will never allow ther
to return to their scabbards unit
treason shall be punished, and thi
:. flag, the Union and the constitutio
. be indicated and made perpetual.
! now accept it In the gallant officer
anu AlCAI VI Tic X Isl -tAAAAAAIIO1A GAL
: most solemnly make the pledge
!, our noble young state and to her pee
pie, our fathers, mothers, sister
!. brothers, wives and children, in thi
presence. never to surrender it to
. foe until it's fold have been baptize
in our blood. We shall carry it, whers
: ever duty calls until it shall pleas
: a Rink Providence to restore peac
to our country and u to the bosol
of our homes
It Handing the flag to the colo
d bearer Of the Regiment, Col Gol
d ran said: Sir To your hands | il
= trust this flag. 1t will remain
S your keeping. Bear it aloft. An
It should you fall in defending it, i