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Minnesota at Gettysburg and Vicksburg

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Minnesota at Gettysburg and Vicksburg L R: Minnesota at Gettysburg and Vicksburg A S 1863 was a Pivotal Year— simply a fi ght to preserve the Union; listment of black troops, the Eman- a “game changer” in modern a new moral imperative had been cipation Proclamation, and the fl ight parlance— for the course and conse- embraced— the death of slavery. This of African Americans from slavery quence of the American Civil War. paradigm shift for the North meant as the Union Army moved into the After two bloody years, it was bru- that there was no place for compro- South foreshadowed changes to the tally clear to both North and South mise. If the North were to be victori- framework of American society and that the confl ict was going to be long ous, then the South would have to be challenged white America’s per- and costly, not the brief affair some subdued. spective on race. Draft riots in New politicians and military leaders had 1863 was also a year of spectacle, York City, bread riots in Richmond, presumed in 1861. Abraham Lin- transformation, and turmoil. The en- Virginia, and resistance to the war coln’s Emancipation Proclamation, issued in January, changed the tenor Fourth Minnesota Regiment Entering Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, Francis D. Millet’s of the war as well. It was no longer 1907 painting that hangs in the Governor’s Reception Room, Minnesota State Capitol 220 Minnesota History MNHist_Sum13-opt.indd 220 6/5/13 1:35 PM in the North and South alike led to Gettysburg propelled the regiment to pushed the Federals back through upheaval on the home front. legendary status as one of the most Gettysburg to Culp’s Hill and Ceme- Some of the war’s largest and distinguished fighting units of the tery Ridge, south of town. Reinforce- most important campaigns provided Civil War, while the Vicksburg Cam- ments from both armies arrived that the spectacle as well as dreadfully paign added luster to the reputation evening, including the First Min- long casualty lists. The concurrent of Minnesota units that had fought nesota Infantry as part of Maj. Gen. Union victories at Gettysburg, Penn- with distinction at Shiloh, Tennessee, Winfield Scott Hancock’s Second sylvania, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Iuka and Corinth, Mississippi. Army Corps. in July 1863 marked a crucial turn- Vicksburg also played a part in re- The First Minnesota had the ing point. At Gettysburg, Confeder- storing the morale and stature of the distinction of being the first state ate Gen. Robert E. Lee lost a critical Third Minnesota Infantry, which had volunteer regiment formally ten- engagement and returned to Virginia been deceived by Confederate cavalry dered in response to President Lin- with a battered army that would commander Nathan Bedford Forrest coln’s call for 75,000 troops in 1861. never again be able to launch a major into surrendering at Murfreesboro, Organized at Fort Snelling on April offensive. With the Confederate sur- Tennessee, on July 13, 1862. 29, 1861, and re- mustered for three render of Vicksburg, the Union Army years of service on May 10, the First secured control of the Mississippi Minnesota had its baptism by fire River, a vital transportation source Hallowed Ground: on July 21, 1861, at Bull Run, where for northern commerce, and effec- Gettysburg it was among the last units to retire tively split the Confederacy in half. from the field and suffered some of Coming the day after Lee’s defeat at Following on the heels the heaviest casualties of any Union Gettysburg, the fall of Vicksburg also of his brilliant victory at the Battle regiment. Its men served faithfully had a significant impact on morale, of Chancellorsville in May 1863, Lee throughout 1862, including at the North and South. Southerners won- led his Army of Northern Virginia in battles of Antietam and Fredericks- dered if their dream of independence a second invasion of the North. (An burg and in the Peninsula Campaign, could be sustained, while northern- unsuccessful campaign was waged in but their true test of courage came ers renewed their hope for a reunited Maryland in September 1862.) With on the second day at Gettysburg. country. his men in high spirits, Lee planned On the morning of July 2 the Minnesota’s soldiers played key to secure provisions from the rich First Minnesota was situated on the roles at both pivotal engagements, Pennsylvania farmlands and take left of the Federal line along Cem- with the First Minnesota Volunteer the fighting away from war- torn Vir- etery Ridge as part of a fishhook- Infantry making a sacrificial charge ginia. He also hoped that winning a shaped defensive position that to hold the Union line at Gettysburg, major victory on northern soil might stretched across the hills and ridges and the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer bring the Federals closer to peace ne- south of Gettysburg. The regiment Infantry being among the first Fed- gotiations. Urged by President Lin- had roughly a third of its original eral troops to enter Vicksburg. The coln, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker sent complement of 1,000 men reporting Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry his Union Army of the Potomac in for duty under the command of Col. and the First Minnesota Battery of pursuit but was relieved of command William Colvill of Red Wing. Light Artillery also served as veteran just three days before the battle. His In the afternoon, Lee launched a campaigners in the seven- month replacement, Maj. Gen. George G. heavy assault on the Union left flank, battle for Vicksburg, while the Third Meade, moved northward, keeping and fierce fighting raged at Devil’s Minnesota Volunteer Infantry par- his army between Lee and Washing- Den, Little Round Top, the Wheat- ticipated in the final push to take the ton, D.C. When Lee discovered that field, and Cemetery Ridge. About city. The First Minnesota’s exploits at Meade was in Pennsylvania, he 6 p.m., Confederate brigades attacked concentrated his army in the vicinity near the Peach Orchard on the Em- of Gettysburg. mitsburg Road. Eight companies of Adam Scher is a senior curator in the collections department at the Minne- Elements of the two armies col- the First Minnesota Infantry were in sota Historical Society. lided west and north of the town support of Company C of the Fourth on July 1, 1863; the Confederates U.S. Artillery, and from their posi- Summer 2013 221 MNHist_Sum13-opt.indd 221 6/5/13 1:35 PM tion they watched as Union troops of iment halted at the dry streambed of the Third Army Corps retreated in Plum Run to fi re their muskets, then disorder. Desperate to halt the Con- commenced their charge with leveled federate advance until reserves could bayonets. “Bullets whistled past us, arrive, Gen. Hancock rode out to Col. shells screached over us; canister and Colvill and ordered the vastly out- grape fell about us,” wrote Sgt. Alfred numbered First Minnesota to attack. Carpenter of Company K. “Comrade Lt. William Lochren of Company after comrade dropped from the K later recalled, “Every man real- ranks; but on the line went. No one ized in an instant what that order took a second look at his fallen com- meant— death or wounds to us all; panion. We had no time to weep.” 1 the sacrifi ce of the regiment to gain a The Confederates met the attack few minutes time and save the posi- with great resistance, but the Min- tion, and probably the battlefi eld— nesotans held fi rm until reserves and every man saw and accepted the arrived. The First Minnesota had necessity for the sacrifi ce.” Advancing fulfi lled its mission, but at a terrible William Colvill, First Minnesota 300 yards over open ground, the reg- price; historians estimate that likely Infantry, about 1863 60 to 80 percent of those participat- Ambulance wagon, ing in the charge became casualties, wounded in the right shoulder and Battle of Bull Run, 1861 including Col. Colvill, who was right ankle. With Colvill disabled 222 Minnesota History MNHist_Sum13-opt.indd 222 6/5/13 1:35 PM “If men ever become devils, that was one of the times. We were crazy with the excitement of the fi ght.” and most of his offi cers killed or line went down like grass before the regimental colors after they had wounded, command of the regiment scythe,” remembered one veteran. fallen and then leading his comrades devolved to Capt. Nathan S. Messick The Minnesotans just happened to in a charge against the advancing of Company G. Although the Confed- be positioned at one of the few places Confederates. Pickett’s Charge was erates had gained ground, the Union where Union lines were breached repulsed at great expense to the Con- defenders still held strong positions and, as a result, charged the advanc- federate army, which suffered nearly by the end of the day. ing Confederates one last time as a 5,600 casualties. Union losses num- The battle reached its climax on unit. The fi ghting became frantic, as bered about 1,500, including 17 killed July 3 with Pickett’s Charge, a dra- recounted by the First Minnesota’s and wounded in the First Minnesota. matic Confederate infantry assault Lt. William Harmon of Company C: Shot in the head, commanding of- against the center of the Union line “If men ever become devils, that was fi cer Messick was among the dead; on Cemetery Ridge. Despite the one of the times. We were crazy with the regiment was taken over by Capt. appalling casualties suffered the pre- the excitement of the fi ght.
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