Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 24: First State Liegisiiature State Bailway B6in)s, 1882

Chapter 24: First State Liegisiiature State Bailway B6in)s

The transition of Minnesota from a territorial to a state organization occurred at the period when the whole republic was suffering from ^nancial embarrassments.

Bj an act of congress approved by the president on the 5th of March, 1857, lands had been granted to Minnesota to aid in the construction of railways. During an extra session of the legislature of Minnesota, an act was passed in May, 1857, giving the congressional grant to certain corporations to build railroads.

A few months after, it was discovered that the corporators had neither the money nor the credit to begin and complete these internal improvements. In the winter of 1858 the legislature again listened to the siren voices of the railway corporations, until their words to some members seemed like "apples of gold in pictures of silver," and an additional 'act was passed submitting to the people an amendment to the constitution which provided for the loan of the public credit to the land grant railroad companies to the amount of $5,000,000, upon condition that a certain amount of labor on the roads was performed.

Some of the citizens saw in the proposed measure "a cloud no larger than a man's hand," which would lead to a terrific storm, and a large public meeting was convened at the capitol in St. Paul, and addressed by ex-Gtovemor Gorman, D. A. Bobertson, William R Marshall and others depre- dating the engrafting of such a peculiar amendment into the constitution; but the people were poor and needy and deluded and would not listen; their hopes and happiness seemed to depend upon the plighted faith of railway corporators, and on April the 15th, the appointed election day, 25,023 votes were deposited for, while only 6,733 votes were cast against the amendment.

Fibst State Leoislatxtbe

The election of October, 1857, was carried on with much partisan feeling by democrats and republicans. The returns from wilderness precincts wereimusually large, and in the counting of votes for governor, Alexander Ramsey appeared to have received 17,550, and Henry H. Sibley 17,796 ballots. Governor Sibley was declared elected by a majority of 246, and duly recognized. The first legislature assembled on the 2d of December, 1857, before the formal admission of Minnesota into the Union, and on the 25th of March, 1858, adjourned until June the 2d, when it again met. " The next day Governor Sibley delivered his message. His term of office was arduous. On the 4th of August, 1858, he expressed his determination not to deliver any state bonds to the railway companies unless they would give first mortgages, with priority of lien, upon their lands, roads and franchises, in favor of the state. One of the companies applied for a mandamus from the supreme court of the state, to compel the issue of the bonds without the restrictions demanded by the governor.

In November the court, Judge Flandrau dissenting, directed the governor to issue state bonds as soon as a railway company delivered their first mortgage bonds, as provided by the amendment to the constitution. But, as was to be expected, bonds sent out under such peculiar circumstances were not sought after by capitalists. Moreover, after over two million dollars in bonds had been issued, not an iron rail had been laid, and only about two hundred and fifty miles of grading had been completed.

In his last message Gk)vemor Sibley in reference to the law in regard to state credit to railways, says: "I regret to be obliged to state that the measure has proved a failure, and has by no means accomplished what was hoped from it, either in providing means for the issue of a safe currency or of aiding the companies in the completion of the work upon the roads."

Notwithstanding the pecuniary complications of the state, during Governor Sibley's administration, the legislature did not entirely forget that there were some interests of more importance than railway construction, and on the 2d of August, 1858, largely through the influence of the late John D. Ford, M. D., a public spirited citizen of Winona, an act was passed for the establishment of three training schools for teachers.

First Steamboat On The Bed Biyeb Of The North

In the month of June, 1859 an important route was opened between the Mississippi and the Ked Kiver of the North. The then enterprising firm of J. C. Burbank & Co., of St. Paul, having secured from the Hudson Bay Company the transportation of their supplies by way of the Mississippi, in place of the tedious and treacherous routes through Hudson's Bay or Lake Superior, they purchased a little steamboat on the Bed Hiver of the North which had been built by Anson Northrup, and commenced the carrying of freight and passengers by land to Breckenridge and by water to Pembina.

This boat had been the first steamboat which moved on the Mississippi above the falls of St. Anthony, to which there is a reference made upon the 12l8t page.

Mr. Northrup, after he purchased the boat, with a large number of wagons carried the boat and machinery from Crow Wing on the Mississippi and on the 8th of April, 1859, reached the Bed Biver not far from the site of Fargo.

deposited for Alexander Bamsey as governor, and 17,532 for Q«orge L. Becker. Gbvemor Bamsey, in an inaugural delivered on the second of January, 1860, devoted a large space to the discussion of the difficulties arising from the issue of the railroad bonds. He said: "It 1^ extremely desirable to remove as speedily as possible so vexing a question from our state politics, and not allow it to remain for years to disturb our elections, possibly to divide our people into bond and antibond parties, and introduce, annually, into our legislative halls an element of discord and possibly of corruption, all to end just as similar complications in other states have ended. The men who will have gradually engrossed the posession of all the bonds, at the cost of a few cents on the dollar, will knock year after year at the door of the legislature for their payment in full, the press will be subsidized; the cry of repudiation will be raised; all the ordinary and extraordinary means of procuring legislation in doubtful cases will be freely resorted to, until finally the bondholders will pile up almost fabulous fortunes. * It is assuredly true that the present time is, of all others, alik^ for th^ present bondholder and the people of the state, the VQry time to arrange, adjust and settle these unfortunate and deplorable railroad and loan complications."

The legislature of this year passed a law submitting an amendment to the constitution which would prevent the issue of any more railroad bonds. At an election in November, 1860, it was voted on, and reads as follows: **The credit of the state shall never be given on bonds in aid of any individual, association or corporation; nor shall there be any further issue of bonds denominated Minnesota state railroad bonds, under what purports to be an amendment to section ten, of article nine, of the constitution, adopted April 14, 1858, which is hereby expunged from the constitution, saving, excepting, and reserving to the state, nevertheless, all rights, remedies and forfeitures accruing imder said amendment."

First White Person Executed

On page 126 there is a notice of the first Indian hung under the laws of Minnesota. On March 23, 1860 the first white person was executed and attracted considerable attention from the fact, the one who suffJered the penalty of the law was a woman.

The First Regiment Infantry

been poigoned. Anna, his fourth wife, was tried for the offence, found guilty^ and on the 3d of December, 1859, sentenced to be hung. The opponents to capital punishment secured the passage of an act, by the legislature, to meet her case, but it was vetoed by the governor, as unconstitutional. Two days before the execution, the unhappy woman asked her spiritual adviser to write to her parents in North Carolina, but not to state the cause of her death. Her scaffold was erected within the square of the Ramsey county jail.

The third state legislature assembled on the 8th of January, 1861, and adjourned on the 8th of March. As Minnesota was the first state which received 1,280 acres of land in each township, for school purposes, Grovemor Ramsey in his annual message occupied several pages, in an able and elaborate argument as to the best methods of guarding and selling the school lands, and of protecting the school fund.

His predecessor in office, while a member of the convention to frame the constitution, had spoken in favor of dividing the school funds among the townships of the state, subject to the control of the local officers.

Minnesota During The Cfvel Wab

The people of Minnesota had not been as excited as the citizens of the Atlantic states on the question which was discussed 'before the presidential election of November, 1860, and a majority had calmly declared their preference for Abraham Lincoln, as president of the republic.

But the blood of her quiet and intelhgent population was stirred on the morning of April 14, 1861, by the intelligence id the daily newspapers that the day before, the insurgents of South Carolina had bombarded Fort Sumter, and that after a gallant resistance of thirty-four hours Gteneral Robert Anderson and the few soldiers of his command had Evacuated the fort.

Governor Ramsey was in Washington at this period, and called upon the president of the republic with two other citizens from Minnesota, and was the first of the state governors to tender the services of his fellow citizens. The offer of a regiment was accepted. The first company raised under the call of Minnesota was composed of energetic young men of St. Paul, and its captain was the esteemed William H. Acker, who afterwards fell in battle.

First regiment was opened at Port Snelling. More companies having offered than were necessary on the 30th of May Governor Ramsey sent a telegram to the secretary of war, offering another regiment.

The First Regiment

On the 14th of June the First regiment was ordered to Washington, and on the 21st it embarked at St. Paul on the steamboats War Eagle and Northern Belle, with the following officers:

Edward D. Neill, Chaplain - Commissioned July 13, 1862, hospital chaplain U. S. A., resigned in 1864, and appointed by President Lincoln, one of his secretaries.

After a few days in Washington, the regiiment was sent to Alexandria, Virginia, where until the 16th of July it remained. On the morning of that day it began with other troops of Franklin's brigade to movetoward the enemy, and that night encamped in the valley of Pohick creek, and the next day marched to Sangster's station on the Orange & Alexandria railroad. The third day Centreville was reached. Before daylight on Sunday, the 21st of July, the soldiers of the First regiment rose for a march to battle. About three o'clock in the morning they left camp, and after passing through the hamlet of Centreville, halted for General Hunter's column to pass. At daylight the regiment again began to move, and after crossing a bridge on the Warrenton turnpike, turned into the woods, from which at about ten o'clock it emerged into an open country, from which could be seen an artillery engagement on the left between the Union troops under Hunter, and the insurgents commanded by Evans,

Outline History Of The State Of Minnesota

An hour after this the regiment reached a branoh of Bull Run, and, as the men were thirsty, began to fill their empty canteens. While thus occupied, and as the St. Paul company under Captain Wilkins was crossing the creek, an order came for Colonel Grorman to hurry up the regiment.

The men now moved rapidly through the woodland of a hillside, stepping over some of the dead of Bumside's command, and hearing the cheers of victory caused by the pressing back of the insurgent troops. At length the regiment, passing Sudley church, reached a clearing in the woods, and halted, while other troops of Franklin's brigade passed up the Sudley church road. Next they passed through a narrow strip of woods and occupied the cultivated field from which Evans and Bee of the rebel army had been driven by the troops of Bumside, Sykes and others of Hunter's division.

Crossing the Sudley road, Rickett's battery unlimbered and began to fire at the enemy, whose batteries were between the Robinson and Henry house on the south side of the Warrenton turnpike, while the First Minnesota passed to the right. After firing at}out twenty minutes the battery was ' ordered to go down the Sudley road nearer the enemy, where it was soon disabled. The First Minnesota was soon met by rebel troops advancing under cover of the woods, who supposed the regiment was a part of the confederate army.

Javan B. Irvine, then a private citizen af St. Paul, on a visit to the regiment, now a captain in the United States army, wrote to his wife: "We had just formed when we were, ordered to kneel and fire upon the rebels who were advancing under the cover of the woods. We fired two volleys through the woods, when we were ordered to rally in the woods in our rear, which all did except the first platoon of our own company, which did not hear the order and stood their ground. The rebels soon came out from their shelter between us and their battery. Colonel Gorman mistook them for friends and told the men to cease firing upon them, although they had three secession flags directly in front of their advancing columns. This threw our men into confusion, some declaring they are friends; others that they are enemies. I called to our boys to give it to them, and fired away myself as rapidly as possibla The rebels themselves mistook us for Georgia troops, and waved their hands at us to cease firing. I had just loaded to give them another charge, when a lieutenant-colonel of a Mississippi regiment rode out between us, waving his hand for ns to stop firing. I rushed up to him and asked If he was a secessionist?' He said 'He was a Mississippian.' I presented my bayonet to his breast and commanded him to surrender, which he did after some hesitation. I ordered him to dismount, and led him and his horse from the field, in the meantime disarming him of his sword and pistols. I led him off about two miles and placed him in charge of a lieutenant with an escort of cavalry, to be taken to General McDowelL He requested the officer to allow me to accompany him, as he desired my protection. The officer assured him that he would be safe in their hands, and he rode off. I retained his pistol, but sent hi& sword with him." In another letter, dated the 25th of July, Mr. Irvine writes from Washington: "I have just returned from a visit to Lieutenant-Colonel Boone, who is confined in the old Capitol. I found him in a pleasant room on the third story, surrounded by several southern gentlemen, among whom was Senator Breckenridge. He wca glad to see me, and appeared quite well after the fatigue of the battle of Sunday. There were with me Chaplain Neill, Captains Wilkin and Colville, and Lieutenant Coatee, who were introduced."

The mistake of several regiments of the Union troops in supposing that the rebels were friendly regiments led to confusion and disaster, which was followed by panic.

Second Regiment

The Second Minnesota Regiment which had been organized in July, 1861, left Fort Snelling on the eleventh of October, and proceeding to Louisville, was incorporated with the Army of the Ohio. Its officers were: Horatio P. Van Cleve, Colonel. Promoted Brigader G^eneral March 21, 1862. James George, Lt. Colonel, Promoted Colonel; resigned Jime 29, 1864. Simeon Smith, Major, Appointed Paymaster U. S. A., September, 1861. Alexander Wilkin, Major, Colonel 9th Minnesota, August, 1862. Reginald Bingham, Surgeon. Dismissed May 27, 1862. M. C. Tollman, Ass't Surgeon, Promoted Surgeon. Timothy Cressey, Chaplain. Resigned October, 10, 1863. Daniel D. Heaney, Adjutant, Promoted Captain Company C. William S. Grow, Qua/rter Master, Resigned, January, 1863.

Thibd Bbgiment

On the 16th of November, 1861, the Third Regiment left the State and went to Tennessee. Its officers were: Henry 0. Lester, (7o^c>;i6Z. Dismissed Decmber 1, 1862. Benjamin F. Smith, Lt, Golond. Resigned May 9, 1862. John A. Hadley, Major. Resigned May 1, 1862. R C. OHn, Adjutant - Resigned. O. H,Blakely, Adjutant. Levi Butler. /Surgeon. - ^Resigned September 30, 1863. Francis MiUipan, AssH Surgeon. - Resigned April 8, 1862. Chauncey Hobart, Chaplain. - Resigned June 2, 1863.

Cavalry

During the fall, three companies of oavahy were organized, anji proceeded to Benton Barracks, Missouri. Ultimately they were incorporated with the Fifth Iowa Cavalry.

Hovsmbnts Of Minnesota Tboops In 1862

On Sunday the 19th of January, 1862, not far from Somerset and about forty miles from Danville, Kentucky, about 7 o'clock in the morning, Col. Van Cleve was ordered to meet the enemy. In ten minutes the Second Minnesota regiment was in line. of battle. After supporting a battery for some time it continued the march, and proceeding half a mile found the enemy behind the fences, and a hand to hand fight of thirty minutes ensued, resulting in the flight of the rebels. Gen. 2iOllicofirer and Lieut. Peyton, of the insurgents were of the killed.

On Sunday, the 6th of April occurred the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in Tennessee. Minnesota was there represented by the First Minnesota battery. Captain Emil Munch, which was attached to the division of General Prentiss. Captain Munch was severely wounded. Oi^e of the soldiers of his command wrote as follows: **Sunday morning, just after breakfast, an officer rode jip to our Captain's tent and told him to prepare for action, * We wheeled into battery and opened upon them. » The first time we wheeled one of our drivers was killed; his name was Colby Stinson. Haywood's horse was shot at almost the same time. The second time we came into battery, the captain was wounded in the leg, and his horse shot under him. They charged on our guns and on the sixth platoon howitzer, but they got hold of the wrong end of the gun. We then limbered up and retreated within the line of battle. While we were retreating they shot one of our horses, when we had to stop and take him out, which let the rebels come up rather close. When within about six rods they fired and wounded Corporal Davis, breaking his leg above the ankle."

As the artillery driver was picked up, after being fatally wounded, at the beginning of the fight he said, *Don't stop with me. Stand to your guns like men,' and expired.

Early in April the First regiment as a part of Sedgwick's division of the Army of the Potomac arrived near Yorktown, Virginia, and was stationed between the Warwick and York rivers, near Wynnes' mill. During the night of the 30th of May, there was a continual discharge of cannon by the enemy, but just before daylight the next day, which was Sunday, it ceased and the pickets cautiously approaching discovered that the rebels had abandoned their works. The next day the regiment was encamped on the field where Comwallis surrendered to Washington.

Battle Of Fair Oaks

While Gt)rman's brigade was encamped at Goodly Hole creek, Hanover county, Virginia, an order came about three o'clock of the afternoon of Saturday, the thirty-first day of May to to cross the Chicahominy and engage in the battle which had been going on for a few hours. In a few minutes the First Minnesota was on the march, by a road which had been cut through the swamp, and crossed the Chicahominy by a rude bridge of logs, with both ends completely submerged by the stream swollen by recent rains, and rising every hour.

About 5 o'clock in the afternoon the First Minnesota as the advance of Gorman's brigade reached the scene of action, and soon the whole brigade with Kirby's battery held the enemy in check at that poiut.

Battle Of Savage Station

Just before daylight on Sunday, June the 29th, Sedgwick's, to which the First Minnesota belonged, left the position that had been held since the bat- tie of Fair Oaks, and had not proceeded more than two miles before thej met the enemy in a peach orchard, and after a sharp conflict compelled them to retire. At about 5 o'clock the afternoon of the same day they again met the enemy at Savage Station, and a battle lasted till dark. Burgess, the oolor sergeant who brought off the flag from the Bull Bun battle, a man much respected, was killed instantly.

On Monday, between White Oak swamp and Willis' church, the regiment had a skirmish, and Captain OolviUe was shghtly wounded. Tuesday was the 1st of July, and the regiment was drawn up at the dividing line of Henrico and Charles City county, in sight of James river, and although much exposed to the enemy's batteries, was not actually engaged. At midnight the order was given to move, and on the morning of the 2d of July they tramped upon the wheat fields at Harrison's Landing, and in a violent rain encamped.

Movements Op Otheb Troops Fifth Beqiment

The Second Minnesota Battery, Captain W. A. Hotchkiss, left the same day as the Fourth regiment. On the 13th of May the Fifth regiment departed from Fort Snelling with the following officers: Rudolph Borgesrode, colonel, resigned August 31, 1862; Lucius F. Hubbard, lieutenantcolonel, promoted colonel August 31, 1862, elected governor of Minnesota 1881; William B. Gere, major, promoted lieutenant-colonel; Alpheus R. French, adjutant, resigned March 19, 1863; W. B. McGrorty, quartermaster, resigned September 15, 1864; F. B. Etheridge, surgeon, resigned September 3, 1862; V. B. Kennedy, assistant surgeon, promoted surgeon; J. 'F. Chaflfee, chaplain, resigned June 23, 1862; John Ireland, chaplain, resigned April, 1863.

On the 18th of September, Colonel Sanborn, acting as brigade commander in the Third division of the Army, of the Mississippi, moved his troops, including the Fourth Minnesota regiment, to a position on the Tuscumbia road, and formed a line of battle.

Battle Of Oobinth

In a few days the contest began at luka, culminated at Corinth, and the Fourth and Fifth regiments and First Minnesota battery were engaged.

On the 3d of October, about five o'clock, Colonel Sanborn advanced his troops and received a severe fire from the enemy. Captain Mowers beckoned with his sword during the firing, as if he wished to make an important communication, but before Colonel Sanborn reached his side he fell, having been shot through the head. Before daylight on the 4th of October the Fifth regiment, under command of Colonel L. F. Hubbard, was aroused by the discharge of artillery. Later in the day it became engaged with the enemy, and dr6ve the rebels out of the streets of Corinth. A private writes: "When we charged on the enemy General Rosecrans asked what little regiment that was, and on being told said 'The Fifth Minnesota had saved the town.' Major Coleman, General Stanley's assistant adjutant-general, was with us when he received his bullet- wound, and his last words were, "Tell the general that the Fifth Minnesota fought nobly. God bless the Fifth.' "

Otheb Movements

A few days after the fight at Corinth the Second Minnesota battery. Captain Hotchkiss, did good service with Buell's army at Perryville, Ky.

In the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., on the 13th of December, the First Minnesota regiment supported Kirbey's battery as it had done at Fair Oaks.

Third Bbgiment Humiliated

On the morning of the 13th of July, near Murfreesboro, Ky., the Third regiment was in the presence of the enemy. The colonel called a council of officers to decide whether they should fight, .and the first vote was in the affirmative, but an- other vote being taken it was decided to surrender. Lieutenant-Colonel C. W. Griggs, Captains Andrews and Hoyt vote<l each time to fight. In September the regiment returned to Minnesota, humiliated by the want of good judgment upon the part of their colonel, and was assigned to duty in the Indian country.

The year 1862 will always be remembered as the period of the uprising of the Sioux, and the slaughter of the unsuspecting inhabitants of the scattered settlements in the Minnesota valley. Elsewhere in this work will be found a detailed account of the savage cruelties. In this place we only give the narrative of the events as related by Alexander Ramsey, then the governor of Minnesota.

*'My surprise may therefore be judged, when, on August 19th, while busy in my office, Mr. Wm. H. Shelley, one of our citizens who had been at the agency just before the outbreak, came in, dusty and exhausted with a fifteen hours' ride on horseback, bearing dispatches to me of the most startling character from Agent Galbraith, dated August 18th, stating that the same day the Sioux at the lower agency had risen, murdered the settlers, and were plundering and burning aU the buildings in that vicinity. As I believe no particulars regarding the manner in which the news were first conveyed to me has been published, it might be mentioned here. Mr. Shelley had been at Redwood agency, and other places in that vicinity, with the concurrence of the agent, recruiting men for a company, which was afterwards mustered into the Tenth regiment under Captain James O'Gorman, formerly a clerk of Nathan Myrick, Esq., a trader at Redwood, and known as the Renville Rangers. He (Shelley) left Redwood, he states, on Saturday, August 16th, with forty-five men, bound for Fort Snelling. Everything was quiet there then. It may be well to note here that one of the supposed causes of the outbreak was the fact that the Indians had been told that the government needed soldiers very badly, that many white men had been killed, and that all those in that locality were to be marched south, leaving the state unprotected. Seeing the men leave on Saturday may have strengthened this belief. Stopping at Fort Ridgely that night, the Renville Rangers the next day continued their march, and on Monday afternoon arrived at St. Peter. Qolbraith was with them. Here he was overtaken by a messenger who had ridden down from Redwood that day, hearing the news of the terrible occurrences of that morhing. This messenger was Mr. - Dickinson, who formerly kept a hotel at Henderson, but was living on the reservation at that time. He was in great distress about the safety of his family, and returning at once was killed by the Indians.

"When Agent Galbraith received the news, Mr. Shelley states, no one would at first believe it, as such rumors are frequent in the Indian country. Mr. Dickinson assured him of the truth with such earnestness, however, that his account was finally credited and the Renville Rangers were at once armed and sent back to Fort Ridgely, where they did good service in protecting the post.

"Agent Galbraith at once prepared the dispatches to me, giving the terrible news and calling for aid. No one could be found who would volunteer to carry the message, and Mr. Slielley offered to come himself. He had great difficulty in getting a horse; but finally secured one, and started for St. Paul, a distance of about ninety miles, about dark. He had not ridden a horse for some years, and as may be well supposed by those who have had experience in amateur horseback-riding, suffered very much from soreness; but rode all night at as fast a gate as his horse could carry him, spreading the startling news as he went down the Minnesota valley. Reaching St. Paul about 9 A. M., much exhausted he made his way to the capitol, and laid before me his message. The news - soon spread through the city and created intense excitement.

"At that time, of course, the full extent and threatening nature of the outbreak could not be determined. It seemed serious, it is true, but in view of the riotous conduct of the Indians at Yellow Medicine a few days before, was deemed a repejiition of the emeiUe, which would be simply local in its character, and easily quelled by a small force and good management on the part of the authorities at the agency.

"But these hopes, (that the outbreak wasaloc«£l one) were soon rudely dispelled by the arrival, an hour or two later, of another courier, George C. Whitcomb, of Forest City, bearing the news of the murders at Acton. Mr. Whitcomb had ridden to Chaska or Carver on Monday, and came down from there on the small steamer Antelope, reaching the city an hour or two after Mr. Shelley.

more general than had at first been credited, and that prompt and vigorous measures would be required for its suppression and the protection of the inhabitants on the frontier. I at once proceeded to Fort Snelling and consulted with the authorities there (who had already received dispatches from Fort Eidgelj) regarding the outbreak and the best means to be used to meet the danger.

"A serious difficulty met us at the outstart. The only troops at Fort Snelling were the raw recruits who had been hastily gathered for the five regiments. Most of them were without arms or suitable clothing as yet; some not mustered in or properly officered, and those who had arms had no fixed ammunition of the proper calibre. We were without transportation, quartermaster's or commissary stores, and, in fact, devoid of anything with which to commence a campaign against two or three thousand Indians, well mounted and armed, with an abundance of ammunition and provisions captured at the agency, and flushed with the easy victories they had just won over the unarmed settlers. Finally four companies were fully organized, armed and uniformed, and late at night were got off on two small steamers, the Antelope and Pomeroy, for Shakopee, from which point they would proceed overland. It was arranged that others should follow as fast as they could be got ready.

'<This expedition was placed under the management of H. H. Sibley, whose long residence in the country of the Sioux had given him great influence with that people, and it was hoped that the chiefs and older men were still sensible to reason, and that with his diplomatic abihty he could bring the powers of these to check the mad and reckless disposition of the "young men," and that if an opportunity for this failed that his knowledge of IndiaQ war and tactics would enable him to overcome them in battle. And I think the result indicated the wisdom of my choice.

-'I at once telegraphed all the facts to President Lincoln, and also telegraphed to Qovemor Solomon, of Wisconsin, for one hundred thousand cartridges, of a calibre to fit our rifles, and the requisition was kindly honored by that patriotic officer, and the ammunition was on its way next day. The governors of Iowa, Illinois and Michigan were also asked for arms and ammunition.

the upper Minnesota, with intelhgence of the most painful character, regarding the extent and ferocity of the massacre. The messages all pleaded earnestly for aid, and intimated that without speedy reinforcements or a supply of arms, Fort Ridgely, New Ulm, St. Peter and other points would undoubtedly fall into the hands of the savages, and thousands of persons be butchered The principal danger seemed to be to the settlements in that region, as they were in the vicinity of the main body of Indians congregated to await the payments. Comers arrived from various points every few hours, and I spent the whole night answering their caUs as I could.

"Late that night, probably after midnight, Mr. J. Y. Branham, Sr., arrived from Forest City, after a forced ride on horseback of 100 miles, bearing the following message:

His Excellency, Alexander Ramsey, Governor, etc. - Sir: In advance of the news from the Minnesota river, the Indians have opened on us in Meeker. It is war! A few propose to make a stand here. Send us, forthwith, some good guns and ammunition to match. Yours truly,

Seventy-five stands of Springfield rifles and several thousand rounds of ball cartridges were at once issued to George 0. Whitcomb, to be used in arming a company which I directed to be raised and enrolled to use these arms; and Gten. Sibley gave Mr. Whitcomb a captain's commission for the company. Transportation was furnished him, and the rifles were in Forest City by the morning of the 23d, a portion having been issued to a company at Hutchinson on the way up. A company was organized and the arms placed in their hands, and I am glad to say they did good service in defending the towns of Forest City and Hutchinson on more than one occasion, and many of the Indians are known to have been killed with them. The conduct and bravery of the courageous men who guarded those towns, and resisted the assaults of the red savages, are worthy of being commemorated on the pages of our state history.**

Movement Op Minnesota Begiments 1863

On the 3d of April, 1863, the Fourth regiment waa opposite Grand Gulf, Mississippi, and in a few days they entered Port Gibson, and here Col. Sanborn resumed the command of a brigade. On the 14th of May the regiment was at the battle of Raymond, and on the 14th participated in the battle of Jackson. A newspaper correspondent writes: "Captain L. B. Martin, of the Fourth Minnesota, A. A. G. to Colonel Sanborn, seized the flag of the 59th Indiana infantry, rode rapidly beyond the skirmishers, (Co. H, Fourth Minnesota, Lt. Geo. A. Clark) and raised it over the dome of the oapitoF of Mississippi. On the 16th the regiment was in the battle of Champion Hill, and four days later in the siege of Yicksburg.

The First regiment reached Gettysburg, Pa., on the 1st of July^ and the next morning Hancock's oorps, to which it was attached, moved to a ridge, the right resting on Cemetery Hill, the left near Sugar Loaf Mountain. The line of battle was a semi-ellipse, and Gibbon's division, to which the regiment belonged occupied the center of the curve nearest the enemy. On the 2d of July, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. General Hancock rode up to Colonel Colville, and ordered him to charge upon the advancing foe. The muzzles of the opposing muskets were not far distant and the conflict was terrific. When the sun set Captain Muller and Lieutenant Farrer were killed; Captain Periam mortally wounded; Colonel Colville, Lieut-Colonel Adams, Major Downie, Adjutant Peller, Lieutenants Sinclair, Demerest, DeGray and Boyd, severely wounded.

On the 8d of July, about 10 o'clock in the morning, the rebels opened a terrible artillery flre, which lasted until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and then the infantry was suddenly advanced, and there was a fearful conflict, resulting in the defeat of the enemy. The loss on this day was also very severe. Captain Messick, in command of the First regiment, after the wounding of Colville, and Adams and Downie, was killed. Captain Farrell was mortally wounded, and Lieutenants Harmon, Heffelflnger, and May were wounded. Color-Sergeant E. P. Perkins was wounded on the 2d of July. On the 3d of July Corporal Dehn, of the color guard was shot through the hand and the flag staff out in two. Corporal H. D. O'Brien seized the flag with the broken staff and waving it over his head rushed up to the muzzles of the enemy's muskets and was wounded in the hand, bat Corporal W. N. Irvine instantly grasped the

The Second Regiment

The Second regiment, under Colonel George, on the 19th of Septemljer fought at Chicamauga, and in the first day's fight, eight were killed and forty -one wounded. On the 25th of November, Lieutenant-Colonel Bishop in command, it moved against the enemy at Mission Kidge, and of the seven non-commissioned oflBcers in the color guard, six were killed or wounded.

EVENTS OF 1864. The Third regiment, which after the Lidian expedition had been ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 30th of March, 1864, had an engagement near Augusta, at Fitzhugh's Woods. Seven men were killed and sixteen wounded. General C. C. Andrews, in command of the force, had his horse killed by a bullet.

Fibst Begiment

The First regiment after three year's service was mustered out at Fort Snelling, and on the 28th of April, 1864, held its last dress parade, in the presence of Governor Miller, who had once been their lieutenant-colonel and commander. In May some of its members re-enlisted as a battalion, and again joined the Army of the Potomac.

Sixth, Seventh, Ninth And Tenth Beoiments

The Sixth regir '^nt, which had been in the expedition against the Sioux, in June, 1864, was assigned to the 16th army corps, as was the Seventh, Ninth and Tenth, and on the 13th of July, near Tupelo, Mississippi, the Seventh, Ninth and Tenth, with portions of the Fifth, were in battle. During the first day's fight Surgeon Smith, of the Seventh, was fatally wounded through the neck. On the morning of the 14th the battle began in earnest, and the Seventh, under Colonel W. R Marshall, made a successful charge. Colonel Alexander Wilkin, of the Ninth, was shot, and fell dead from his horse.

Battle Of Nashville

3>uring the month of December the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth regiments did good service before Nashville. Colonel L. F. Hubbard, of the Fifth, conmianding a brigade, after he had been knocked off his horse by a ball, rose, and on foot led his command over the enemy's works. Colonel W. R Marshall, of the Seventh, m command of a. brigade, made a gallant charge, and Lieutenant- colonel S. P. Jennison, of the Tenth, one of the first on the enemy's parapet, received a severe wound.

Miknesota Trqops In 1865

In the spring of 1865 the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth regiments were engaged in the siege of Mobile. The Second and Fourth regiments and First battery were with Greneral Sherman in his wonderful campaign, and the Eighth in the month of March was ordered to North Carolina. The battalion, the remnant of the First, was with the Army of the Potomac untQ Lee's surrender.

Arrangements were soon perfected for disbanding the Union army, and before the close of the summer all the Minnesota regiments that had been on duty were discharged.