Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Events from A. D. 1854 to the Admission of Minnesota to the I'nton, 1882

Chapter 23: Events from A. D. 1854 to the Admission of Minnesota to the I'nton

Fifth LesiBlnture - Execution of Yuhnzee - Sixth Lceialaturc- First i»ridge over the Mississippi - Arctic Explorcir - Seventh I^Bislature - Indian girl killed near BIn*>iiiiiiptun Ferry - Eintitli l^trislatiire - Attrmpt to Remove the Capital- Special Session of the Letn^lature - Convention to frame a State Constitution- Admission of Minnesota to the Union.

The fifth session of the legislature was commenced in the buikling just completed as the Capitol, on January fourth, 1854. The President of the Council was S. 13. Olmstead, and the Speaker of the Uouse of Kepresent^itives was N. C. D. Taylor.

Governor Gorman delivered his first annual message on the tenth, and as his predecessor, urged the importance of railway communications, and dwelt upon the necessity of fostering the interests of education, and of the lumbermen.

The exciting bill of the session was the act incorporating the Alimiesota and Northwestern Railroad Company, introduced by Joseph K. Brown. It was passed after the hour of midnight on the last day of the session. Contrary to the expectation of his friends, the Governor signed the bill.

On the afternoon of December twenty-seventh, the first public execution in Minnesota, in accordance with tlie forms of law, took place. Yu-hazee, the Dahkotah who had been convicted in November, 1852, for the murder of a German woman, above Shokpay, was the mdividual. Tlie scaffold was erected on t)ie open space between an inn called the Franklin House and the rear of the late Mr. J. W. Selby's enclosru'e in St. Paul. About two o'clock, the prisoner, dressed in a white shroud, left the old log prison, near the court house, and entered a carriage with the officers of the law. Being assisted up the steps that led to the scaffold, he made a fewremarks in his own language, and was then executed. Numerous ladies sent in a petition to tlie governor, asking tlie pardon of the Indian, to which tliat officer in decUnuig made an appropriate reply.

The sixth session of the legislature convened on the tliird of January, 1855. \V. P. ^lurray was elected President of the Council, and James S. Norris Speaker of the House.

About the last of January, the two houses adjourned one day, to attend the exercises occasioned by the opening of tlie first bridge of any kind, over tlie mighty Mississippi, from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. It was at Falls of Saint Anthony, and made of wire, and at the time of its opening, tlie patent for the land on which the west piers were built, had not been issued from the Land Office, a striking evidence of the rapidity with whicli tlie city of JIinne;ipolis, which now surrounds the Falls, has developed.

On the twenty-ninth of March, a convention was held at Saint Anthony, which led to the formation of the Republican party of ^Minnesota. This body took measures for the holding of a territorial convention at St. Paul, wliich convened on the twenty-fifth of July, and William R. Marshall was nominated as delegate to Congress. Shortly after tlie friends of Mr. Sibley nominated David Olmsted and Henry M. Rice, tlie former delegate was also a candidate. The contest was animated, aud resulted in the election of Mr. Rice.

About noon of December twelfth, 1855, a fonrhorse vehicle was seen driving rapidly through St. Paul, and deep was the mterest when it was announced that one of the Arctic exploring party, Mr. James Stewart, was on his way to Canada with relics of the world - renowiied and woiidmounied Sir John Frankhn. Gathering together the precious fragments found on ^Montreal Island and vicinity, the party had left the region of icebergs on the ninth of August, and after a continued land journey from that time, had reached

The seventh session of the Legislative Assembly was begun on the second of January, 1856, and again the exciting question was tlie ]Sliimesota and Xorthwestern Railroad Company.

This year was comparatively devoid of interest. The citizens of the tenitory were busily engaged in making claims in newly organized coimties, and in enlarging the area of civilization.

On the twelfth of June, several Ojibways entered the farm house of Mr. WhaUon, who resided in Hennepin county, on the banks of the Minnesota, a mile below the Bloomington ferr>-. The wife of the farmer, a friend, and three cliildren, besides a little Dahkotah girl, who had been brought up in tlie mission-house at Kaposia, and so changed in manners that her origin was scarcely perceptible, were sitting in the room when the Indians came in. Instantly seizing the little Indian maiden, they threw her out of the door, killed and scalped her, and fled before the men who were near by, in the field, could reach the house.

The procurement of a state organization, and a grant of lauds for railroad purposes, were the topics of political interest during the year 1857.

The eighth Legislative Assembly convened at the rapitol on the seventh of January, and J. B. Brisbin was elected President of the Council, and J. W. Furber, Speaker of the House.

On Saturday, February twenty -eighth, Mr. Balcombe offered a resolution to report the bUl for the removal of the seat of government, and shoiUd Mr. Rolette, chairman of the committee, fail, that W. W. Wales, of said committee, report a copy of said bill.

Mr. Setzer, after the reading of the resolution, moved a call of the Council, and Mr. Rolette was foimd to be absent. The chair ordered the sergeant at arms to report Mr Eolette in his seat.

>Ir. Balcombe moved that further proceedings imder tlie call be dispensed with; which did not prevail. From that time untU the next Thursday afternoon, March the fiftli, a period of one hundred and twenty-three liours, the Council remained in their chamber without recess. At that time a motion to adjourn prevailed. On Friday another motion was made to dispense with the call of the Coimcil, which did not prevail. On Saturday, the Council met, the president declared the call still pending. At seven and a half p. m., a committee of the House was announced. The chair ruled, that no commimication from tlie House could be received wliile a call of the Council was pending, and the committee withdi'ew. A motion was agam made during the last night of the session, to dispense with all fiurther proceedings under the call, which prevailed, with one vote only in tlie negative.

Mr. Ludden then moved that a committee be appointed to wait on the Governor, and inquire if he had any further communication to make to the Council.

At twelve o'clock at night the president resumed the chair, and announced that the time limited by law for the continuation of the session of the territorial legislature had expired, and he therefore declared the Council adjomned and the seat of government remained at Saint Paul.

The excitement on the capital question was intense, and it was a strange scene to see members of the Comicil, eating and sleeping in the hall of legislation for days, waiting for the sergeant-atarms to report an absent member in his seiit.

On the twenty-third of February, 1857, an act passed the United States Senate, to authorize the people of Minnesota to foiTa a constitution, preparatory to their admission into the Union on an equal footing with the original states.

Governor Gorman called a special session of the legislattu'e, to take iuto consideration - measures that would give efficiency to the act. The extra session convened on April twentyseventh, and a m-essage was transmitted by Samuel Aledary, who had been appointed governor in place of W. A. Gorman, whose term of office had exi)iied. The extra session adjourned on the twenty-third of May ; and in accordance with tne provisions of the enal ill ng act of Congress, an election was lield on the lirst Monday in June, for delegates to a convention wliicli was to assemble at the capitol on the second ^Monday in July. The election resulted, as was tlioii!,'ht. in giving a majority of delegates to tlie Itepiihlicau party.

At nii(hiight previous to the day fixed for the meeting of the convention, tlie Kcpublicans proceeded to the capitol, because the enabling act had not fixed at what hour on tlie second -Monday the convention should asscnil)le, and fearing that the Democratic delegates might anticipate them, and elect the oflicers of the liody. A little before twelve, A. Jl., on Monday, the . secretary of the territory entered the si)eaker"s rostrum, and began to call t!ie body to order ; and at the same time a delegate, J. "\V. Xorth. who had in his ]iossession a written request from the majority of the delegates pi;.;(:nt, proceeded to do tlie same tiling. The secretary of the territory put a motion to adjourn, aiul the Democratic members present voting in the alih-mative, they left the hall. The Republicans, feeling that they were in the majority, remained, and in due time organized, and proceeded with the busiues;; specified in the enabling act, to form a constitution, and-take all necessary steps for the est^ibiishment of a state goverimient, in conformity with the Federal Constitution, subject to the approval and ratification of the people of the proposed state.

After several days the Democratic wing also organized in tlie Senate chamber at the capitol, and, claiming to be the true body, also proceeded to form a constitution. Botli parties were remarkably orderly and intelligent, and everything w'as marked by perfect decorum. After they had been in session some weeks, moderate counsels prevailed, and a committee of conference was appointed from each body, which resulted in both adopting the constitution framed by the Democratic wing, on tlie twenty-ninth of Anggust. According to the provision of the constitution, an election was lield for state ofBcere and the adoption of the constitution, on tlie second Tuesday, the thirteenth of October. The constitution was adopted by almost a unanimous vote. It provided that the territorial officers should retain their ollices until the stale was admitted into the Union, not anticipating the long delay which was experienced.

The first session of the stale legislature commenced on the first 'Wednesday of December, at the capitol, in the city of Saint Paul ; and during the month elected Henry M. Kice and .James Shields as their Representatives in the United States Senate.

On the twenty-ninth of .January, I808, Mr. Douglas submitted a bill to the United States Senate, for the admission of ^liimesota into the Uiiiim. On the first of February, a discussion arose on the bill, in wliich Senators Douglas, Wilson, Gwiu, Hale, ]\Iasoii, (Jreen, Brown, and Crittenden participated. Brown, of Mississijipi, was opposed to the admission of Minnesota, until the Kansas question was settled. Mr. Crittenden, as a Southern man, could not endorse i'.ll that was said liy the Senator from Mississipji; and his words of wisdom and moderation during this day's discussion, were worthy of remejibrance. Oil April the scveiilli, the bill passed the Senate with only three dissenting votes ; and in a short time tlie House of Representatives concurred, and on !May the eleventh, the President approved, and .Minnesota was fully recognized as one of the I'nited States of America.

Minnesota During The Civil Wab-Begiments

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

By 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-Governor Gorman, D. A. Robertson, William E. Marshall and others depre- elating the engrafting of such a peculiar amendment into the constitution; but tlie people were poor and needy and deluded and would not listen; their hopes and happiness seemed to depend upon the pHghted 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.

First State Legislature

The election of October, 1857, was carried on with much partisan feeling by democrats and republicans. The returns from wilderness precincts were unusually large, and in the counting of votes for governor, Alexander Kamsey 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 fh-st 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 Governor 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 estabhshment of three training schools for teachers.

North

In the month of June, 1859 an important route was opened between the Mississippi and the Eed Elver 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 supjjlies by way of the Mississippi, in place of the tedious and treacherous routes through Hudson's Bay or Lake Superior, they purchased a bttle steamboat on the Red River 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 121st page.

Mr. Nortbrup, 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 Red River not far from the site of Fargo.

Second State Legislatubb

deposited for Alexander Ramsey as governor, and 17,532 for George L. Becker. Gkivernor Ramsey, in an inaugural delivered on the second ot Jan- -uary, 1860, devoted a large space to the discussion of the difficulties arising from the issue of the railroad bonds. He said: "It is extremely desuable 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 justas similar complications in other states have ended. The men who wiU have gradually engrossed the poscssion of all the bonds, at the cost of a few cents on the dollar, wOl knock year after year at the door of the legislaturo 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, aUke for the present bondholder and the people of the state, the very time to arrange, adjust and settle these uufortimate and deplorable raih'oad and loan comjjhcations."

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, 18G0, 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 liereby expunged from the constitution, saving, excepting, and reserving to the state, nevertheless, all rights, remedies and forfeitures accruing under said amendment."

First White Person Executed

On p'.ige 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 suffered the penalty of the law was a woman.

Tue First Regiment Infantry

been poisoned. 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 scafifold was erected within the square of the Bamsey county jaU.

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. Governor Ramsey in his annual message occupied several pages, in an able and elaborate argument as to the best methods of guarding and sfelUng the school lands, and of protecting the school fund.

His predecessor in ofiice, 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.

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 majoiity had calmly declared their preference for Abraham Lincoln, as president of the republic.

But the blood of her quiet and intelligent population was stirred on the morning of April 14, 1861, by the intelligence in 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 General Eobert Anderson and the few soldiers of his command had evacuated the fort.

Governor Bamsey 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 Fort Snelling. More companies having offered than were necessary on the 30th of May Governor Bamsey sent a telegram to the secretary of war, offering another regiment.

The First Eegiment

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 foUowiug officers:

Edward D. Neill, Chaplain - Commissioned July 13, 1862, hospital chaplain U. S. A., resigned in 1864, and ajjpointed 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 artiUery engagement on the left between the Union troops under Hunter, and the insurgents commanded by Evans.

An hour after this the regiment reached a branch of Bull Bun, 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 Gorman to hurry up the regiment.

The men now moved rapidly through the woodlaud of a hillside, stopping over some of the dead of Burnside'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 brigado 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 Himter's division.

Crossing the Sudley road, Eiekett's battery unlimbered and began to fire at the enemy, whose batteries were between the Kobinson and Henry house on the south side of the Warrenton turnpike, while the First Minnesota passed to the right. After firing about 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 tiags 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 possible. 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 us 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 oflf 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 ho would be safe in their hands, and he rode off. I retained his pistol, but sent his 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 was glad to see me, and appeared quite well after the fatigue of the battle of Sunday. There were with mo Chaplain Neill, Captains Wilkin and Colville, and Lieutenant Coates, 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 General March 21, 1862. James George, Lt. Colonel. Promoted Colonel; resigned June 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, AssH Surgeon. Promoted Surgeon. Timothy Cressey, CJuiplain. Resigned October, 10, 1863. Daniel D. Heaney, Adjutant. Promoted Captain Company C. William S. Grow, Q uarler Master. Resigned, January, 1863.

Third Regiment

On the 16th of November, 1861, the Third Kegiment left the State and went to Tennessee. Its officers were: Henry C. Lester, Cofoft^?. Dismissed Decmber 1, 1862. Benjamin F. Smith, Lt. Colond. Resigned May 9, 1862. John A. Hadley, Major. Resigned May 1, 1862. R. C. Olin, Adjutant. - Resigned. O. H, Blakely, Adjutant. Levi Butler. ISuffjeon. - Resigned September 30, 1863. Francis Millipan, AssH Surgeon. - Resigned April 8, 1862. Chaunoey Hobart, Chaplain,. - Resigned June 2, 1863.

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

Movements Op Minnesota Troops 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. ZollicofFer and Lieut. Peyton, of the insurgents were of the killed.

Battle Of Pittsbueq Landino

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. One of the soldiers of his command wrote as follows: "Sunday morning, just after breakfast, an officer rode up 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 gims 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 vqy rather close. When within about sis rods they fired and woimded 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.

First Regiment At Yorktown Siege

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 Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

Battle Of Fair Oaks

While Gorman's brigade was encamped at Goodly Hole oreek, Hanover county, Virginia, an order came about three o'clock of the afternoon of Saturday, the tliirty-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 Kii'by's battery held the enemy in check at that point.

Battle Of Savage Station

Just before daylight on Sunday, Jime 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 they met the enemy in a peach orchard, and after a sharp conflict compelled them to retire. At about 5 c' clock the afternoon of the same day they again met the enemy at Savage Station, and a battle lasted till dark. Burgess, the color sergeant who brought ofl' the flag from the Bull Kuu battle, a man much respected, ^?as killed instantly.

On Monday, between Wliite Oak swamp and Willis' church, the regiment had a skirmish, and Captain Colville was sliglitly wounded. Tuesday ivas 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: Eudolph Borgesrode, colonel, resigned August 31, 1862; Lucius F. Hubbard, heutenantcolonel, 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. Chaffee, 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 Cobinth

In a few days the contest Viegan at luka, culminated at Corinth, and the Fourth and Fifth regiments and First INIiunesota 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 (hiylight 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 drove 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

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.

On the morning of the 13th of July, nearMurf reesboro, 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 O. W. Griggs, Captains Andrews and Hoyt voted 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 Siodx Outbreak

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 narrativfe of the events as related by Alexander Kamsey, 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 all the buildings in that vicinity. As I beUeve 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 Eed- Vood 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'Gornran, formerly a clerk of Nathan Myriok, Esq., a trader at Eedwood, and known as the Renville Eangers. He (Shelley) left Eedwood, he states, on Saturday, August 16th, with forty-five men, bound for Fort Snelling. Everything was quiet there theu. 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 behef. Stopping at Fort Ridgely that night, the Eenville Eangers the next day continued their march, and on Monday afternoon arrived at St. Peter. Galbraith was with them. Here, he was overtaken by a messenger who had ridden down from Eedwood 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 aboiit 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 Eenville Rangers were at once armed and sent back to Fort Ridgely, where they did good semce in protecting the post.

"Agent Galbraith at once prepared the dispatches to me, giving the terrible news and calHng for aid. No one could be found who would volunteer to carry the message, and Mr. Shelley 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 expei'ience 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 oapitol, 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 repetition of the emeuie, 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 was a local 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 Ridgely) 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 hastQy gathered for the five regiments. Most of them were without arms or suitable clothing as yet; some not mustered in or properly oflBcered, 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 influ" ence with that people, and it was hoped that the chiefs and older men were stiU sensible to reason, and that with his diplomatic ability 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 Indian 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 Governor 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 ammimition.

the upper Minnesota, with intelhgence of the most painfid character, regarding the extent and ferocity of the massacre. The messages all pleaded earnestly for aid, and intimated that without speedy reinforcements or a supjjly of arms. Fort Kidgely, 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 calls 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 Kamsey, Governor, etc. - Sir: In advance of the news from the Minnesota river, the Indians have opened on us in Meeker. It is warl 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 roimds of ball cartridges were at once issued to George C. Whitcomb, to be used in arming a company which I directed to be raised and enrolled to use these arms; and Gen. 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 Of Minnesota Begiments 1863

On the 3d of April, 1863, the Fourth regiment was 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 batUe of Kayraond, 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 Capitol" of Mississippi. On the 16th the regiment was in the battle of Champion Hill, and four days later in the siege of Vicksburg.

Fifth Kbqiuent Battle Of Gettysburg

The First regiment reached Gettysburg, Pa., on the 1st of July, and the nest morning Hancock's corps, to which it was attached, moved to a ridge, the right resting on Cemetery HiU, 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 kiUed; Captain Periam mortally wounded; Colonel ColviUe, Lieut-Colonel Adams, Major Downie, Adjutant Peller, Lieutenants Sinclair, Demerest, DeGray and Boyd, severely -wounded.

On the 3d of July, about 10 o'clock in the morning, the rebels opened a terrible artUlery fire, which lasted until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and then the infantry was suddenly advanced, and there was a fearful cotflict, 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 FarreU was mortally wounded, and Lieutenants Harmon, Heffelfinger, 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 cut 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, but Corporal W. N. Irvine instantly grasped the

The Second Eegimbnt

The Second regiment, under Colonel George, on the 19th of September 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 Bidge, and of the seven non-commissioned officers in the color guard, six were killed or wounded.

EVENTS OF 1864. The Third regiment, which after the Indian expedition had been ordered to Little Bock, 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.

First Regiment

The First regiment after three year's service was mustered out at Fort SneUing, 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 Regiments

The Sixth regir-'^nt, which had been in the expedition against the Sioux, in Jrme, 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. E. Marshall, made a successful charge. Colonel Alexander Wilkin, of the Ninth, was shot, and fell dead from his horse.

Outline Histobt Of Tee State Of Siinnesota

During the month o[ Decemljer the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth regiments did good service before Nashville. Colonel L. F. Hubbard, of the Fifth, commanding 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, in 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.

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 General 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 until 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.