Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 13: The Civil Wae, 1893

Chapter 13: The Civil Wae

Most of the people had but newly settled here. They were from many parts of the old Avorld, and from distant parts of the United States. The people from diiferent localities not being acquainted with each other's language or customs, made communication with neighbors sometimes difficult. Yet the call for volunteers was responded to, bravely and willingly, by all classes. When the tocsin of war was sounded in April, 1861, the whole population of the county did not exceed 9,000. During the war we furnished 1,508 enlisted men, which was about one-sixth of the number of inhabitants. The people Avere then fully engjiged in the important work of laying the foundations of society, and building the homes for themselves and families, which they hoped to enjoy in tlie future.

Among all the people of the northern states, none seemed more ready to devote themselves to the cause of the Union than those who had lately come from across the ocean to make their homes in this country. From a single family of five boys in the town of Belle Creek, four enlisted as volunteers and marched to the front, while the fifth sent a substitute. In fact nearly every able bodied man of suitable age offered himself to serve in the federal army, and those who stayed at home by the stuff, devoted their time and means to a greater or less extent in sustaining the Union cause.

Husbands, fathers, and sons bravely left the comforts of home and the society of loved ones to endure the hardships and face the dangers of war. Nor Avas less patriotism displayed by those who by age or physical disability were prevented from enlistment. They also contributed their time and means to sustain the wives and children whose husbands and fathers were engaged in the tented field. Whenever money was called for it was freely given. Funds were raised in the several cities and townships and placed in the hands of committees who were appointed to distribute the same among soldiers' families according to their several necessities.

A public meeting was held in Red AVing very soon after the first company of volunteers had left, to concert a plan for the relief of soldiers' families. A subscription Avas raised amounting to over $2,0C0 and a committee was appointed to distribute the same from time to time, according to the necessities of such families.

During the progress of the Avar other towns in the county followed the example, by furnishing aid to soldiers' families when needed. The board of county commissioners voted a bounty of $20 to be paid out of the treasury of the county, to each and every person Avho enlisted or reenlisted in the service of the United States for the AA'ar, Avhose enlistment Avas accredited to this county. Additional bounties were given in the several townships. It is not possible to give an exact account at this day of the whole amount of money expended by the people of this conuty, to sustain the cause of the Union. An approxitn tte estimate can be mada by giving amounts which were raised by a few of the county towns.

According to the records of Vasa, that township raised by taxation $12,120; Featherstone, $13,000; Belvidere, $3,500; Goodhue, $2,700. Large sums were raised in all the townships by voluntary subscriptions for the sanitary and christian commissions.

Before the first battle at Bull Run, just after the federal army had crossed the Potomac, the chaplain of the First Minnesota regiment issued the following circular:

" A regiment, during the first months of its organization, is necessarily destitute of adequate hospital funds, and owing to the depression on the department at Washington, ordinary medical supplies are limited. Soldiers exposed to the heat of the noonday sun, and the malaria that walketh in darkness, frequently find their way after the nights' watch, to the hospital. Careful nursing, and food more delicate than army rations, are the remedies prescribed for recovery. The surgeons feel that the various branches of the church in Minnesota, whose children are all represented in the regiment, will esteem it a privilege to contribute something, even the widow's mite, to procure a lemon or orange, or a cap of cold water, or other refreshments, for a soldier debilitated by exposure to southern suns, and they have selected the writer as a medium of communication.

"CoutributioQs should be made for the Hospital Fund of the First Minnesota regiment and forwarded in Eastern exchange. All receipts will be publicly acknowledged by

The above circular was responded to so promptly and abundantly from all parts where the members of the First regiment were known, that Chaplain Neill felt it necessary to send the following dispatch to Governor Ramsey :

We cannot honor too much the memory of those who went forth in the army and gave their lives for their country; nor can we show too much respect for the survivors of the bloody conflict who still remain among us; but it is proper also that those to come after us should be made acquainted with the fact, that it was not only those who were actually engaged in the battles of the Nation, who made sacrifices and who did what they could to sustain the Union in the time of peril. Those who could not bear arms, bore the burden of furnishing supplies for the soldiers in the battle field and hospitals.

dollars were contributed by states, societies, and individuals in the North, to aid the government in quelling the rebellion. This sum was given spontaneously and in addition to the taxes which the government imposed for carrying on the war. It can be readily shown that the county ol Gjodliue contributed its full share in this patriotic work.

On the 12fch of April, 1861, the first gun of the war of the rebellion was fired. Fort Sumter, near Cliarleston. South Carolina, was taken by the secessionists. Two days after the President of the United States issued his proclamation as follows :

"Whereas, The laws of the United States have been and are now violently opposed in several States by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way. I therefore call for the militia of the several states of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000 men, to suppress such combination and to execvite the law. I appeal to all loyal citizens to facilitate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws, the integrity, and perpetuity of the government, and redress the wrongs long endured. The first service assigned to the forces, probably, will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union. Let the utmost care be taken consistent with the object, to avoid devastation, destruction, or inteiference with the property of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the aforesaid combination to disperse within twenty days from date.

"I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the 4th of July next, to determine upon measvireq for the p'lblic safety which the interest of the subject demands.

The patriotism of the people in every northern state was thoroughly awakened. The new settlers in the sparcely inhabited Northwest were not a whit behind the older states in responding to the call of the President.

"In view of the public exigencies, every patriot that can attend should do so. A full company of infantry must and shall be organized for the service of the government.

That day the U. S. flag was seen floating from the cupola of the court house. Early in the evening crowds paraded the streets with music and banners, and the court house was thronged at the appointed hour. Judge W. H. Welch was appointed chairman. On taking the chair the Judge made a patriotic speech which met a sympathetic response from the hearts of all present, urging the importance of raising a company of soldiers in Goodhue county at once. The following are extracts of the notice of the proceedings of this meeting which appeared in the weekly Repuhliccm of April 26th:

"The meeting held in this city last Friday night was an important event in the history of Hed Wing. It greatly exceeded both in numbers and enthusiasm, any gathering that has ever taken place in this locality. The people turned out en masse, and signified by word and action their patriotic devotion to their country in its hour of peril. It was indeed a glorious sight to see men forgetting the differences of the past, laying aside the issues that had divided them until now, and rally- ing side by side in a single cause. It was an occasion never to be blotted from the memory of an individual present. * * * The audience were entertained by stirring speeches until a late hour, when a call was made for volunteers which was responded to by upwards of fifty, who placed their names to a paper pledging their lives and fortunes for the defense of their country against an armed rebellion."

On Tuesday, the 23d of April, 114 men had enlisted, fourteen more than wanted for a full company. Friday following the company was rea'ly for service, having organized by the elective of the following officers: Captain, Wm. Colville, Jr.; Lieutenants, A. E. Welch, M. A. Hoyt; Sargeants, Martin Maginnis, C. P. Clark, Hezekiah Bruce, H. T. Bevans; Corporals, John Barrow, A. E. Scofield, Geo. Knight, Chas. N. Harris.

Saturtlay afternoon, April 27, the Goodhue volunteers left on the steamer "Ocean Wave" for Fort Snelling where the regiment, First Minnesota, to which they were assigned, was mustered in. Their departure was witnessed by a large number of citizens, who gathered on the levee to bid them farewell. Among the crowd were many relatives and friends of the soldier boys, and the parting scenes can be better imagined than described. Many an eye was dimmed with tears, and many hearts throbbed with emotiou, as the brave boys filed aboard the boat. And when the steamer began to move away from the landing, the crowd on shore began to cheer most heartily, which was responded to by the volunteers ; and amid the waving of the Hags and handkerchiefs, hurrahs and cheers of the luultitude, the boat with company "F" passed out of sight. This was our first experience in the business of real war. Yery few of US even suspected that such trying times would last four years. But call succeeded call, and company after company was formed in this county and sent forth until the number amounted to over 1,500 men. More than thirty years have passed since that war commenced, almost another generation has come upon the stage of actiou. Many histories have been written giving the details of battles, imprisonments, sacrifices and losses, which were experienced during four years of conflict. The Goodhue volunteers were the first company, we believe, which was organized to be offered to the Governor under his call for one regiment.

"They were received at the lauding by the Pioneer Guards, who escorted them to their temporary quarters in the city. An immense crowd of citizens were at the levee to welcome their arrival, and as they filed through the streets the side-walks were lined with ladies and gentleman, who kept up a continuous cheer as the brave volunteers passed along. The ranks returned the salutations with a hearty good will.

"The Rod Wing brass band came up with the company from that place and added materially to the enthusiasm of the occasion. The company is more than full, and composed of the very bone and sinew of the stalwart farmers of Goodhue county."

The movement was started for a second company as soon as the first had been filled in Red Wing, and in four days this second company was fully organized and ready to move to the front.

prairie fire. Meetings were lield in almost every school lijase, at which spirited allressea were delivered. Besides famishing nearly cue fifth of the first company Pine Island soon came to the front Avith a fall company named "Pine Island Rifles." Roscoe, Cannon Falls and other towns followed; and the good work continued, as the war contina^d, an I as m^n were called for to recruit the army. Oaly six months after the capture of Fort Samter, the following paragraph appeared in the Republican :

" We claim the banner for Goodhue county. She has furnished more volaateers in proportiou to her population than any other county in the state. She has one full company in the First regiment, one in the Second, two in the Third, and one in the Fourth, besides being largely represented in the company of sharp shooters, and of cavalry furnished by the State, and there is now organizing a company of artillery. Is there another county in the West of a population of 8,000 that has done as well?"

The war record of this county as taken from the report of the Adjutant General of the State shows that out of eleven regiments of volunteer infantry organized duriug the war in the State of Minnesota in all except the Ninth were soldiers and officers from old Goodliue. Representatives from this county are also found upon the rolls of the following bauds of soldiers, who participated in the conflict :

First Mounted Rangers ; Brackett's battalion cavalry; Second regiment, cavalry; Independent cavalry; First regiment, heavy artillery; Second battery, light artillery; First company of Minnesota Sharp Shooters.

Bervices iu the war for the preservation of the Union are recorded in the archives of the State, and also in the published "History of Mimwsoia in the Civil Wary It is scarcely necessary to repeat the long list o«q the pages of this humble volume, of the 1,508 that enlisted from this county. Tliey are all well known and will be remembered by a grateful country. Measures are on foot to erect a suitable monument to the memory of those who served iu the war from this county, and we sincerely hope these measures will soon be fully consummated. Deeds of real bravery and heroism are worthy of frequent recital. Many such deeds were performed by onr soldiers during the four years of struggle for the maintenance of th3 U.iio.i of the United States. Two instances of rt'm:irkable bravery evinced by some who are from this county, we cannot forbear to mention. The first was at the battle of Corinth in October, 1862. The report says that the "Fifth Minnesota closed the gap which saved the day at Corinth." The Fifth Minnesota was at that time under the leadership of Col. L. F. Hubbard of this county. Gen. Stanley, who commanded the division to which this regiment was attached, accords the above credit to it on the field of battle.

"Col. Mower had ordered the Fifth Minnesota to guard the bridge across the Tuscumbia, when Avith the remainder of the brigade he went to help Davies. Late in the evening Col. Hubbard brought up his regiment and formed facing westward on the Mobile and Ohio railway, with its left near the depot, where they bivouacked for the night. On the next morning, when the enemy from the north assaulted our line and forced it back a few hundred yards into the edge of the town, Col. Hubbard moving by his right flank, faced the coming storm from that quarter, and b}' his promptitude anticipated Gen. Stanley's order from me, to use the reserves of his division in meeting the enemy's charge. He drove back the fragments of his columns, overtaking and bringing back some pieces, without horses, of our reserve artillery, which the enemy had seized, and covering the retiring of a battery which had gone too far to the front. Veterans could hardly have acted more opportunely and effectively than did the gallant Fifth Minnesota on that occasion.

The second was an act of the First Minnesota at the battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. It appears that two companies had been detached as skirmishers while the remaining eight companies, consisting of 262 men, were sent to the centre of the line just vacated by Sickles' advance to support battery C, of the Fourth U. S. artillery. The following is quoted from the history of the regiment : "No other troops were then near us, and we stood by this battery in full view of Sickles' battle in the Peach Orchard, half a mile to the front. With gravest apprehension we saw Sickles' men give way before the heavier forces of Lor/gstreet and Hill, and come back slowly at first and rallying at short intervals, but at length broken and in utter disorder rushing down the slope across the low ground and up the slope on our side and past our position to the rear, followed by a strong force. There was no organized force to oppose them except our handful of 262 men. Most soldiers in the face of the near advance of such an overpowering force would have caught the panic and joined the retreating masses. But tlie First Minnesota had nevdr yet retired without orders, nor deserted any post, and desperate as the situation seemed, and as it was, they stood firm against whatever might come.

"Just then Gen. Hancock, with a single aid, rode up at full speed and for a moment vainly endeavored to rally Sickles' retreating forces. Reserves had been sent for but were too far away to hope to reach the critical position uutil it would ba occupied by the enemy uuless that enemy were stopped. Quickly leaving the fugitives Hancock spurred to where we stood, calling out as he reached us, 'What regiment is tliis?' 'First Minnesota,' replied Col. CiJville. 'Charge those lines,' commanded Hancock. Everyman realized in an instant what that order meant, death or wounds to us all - the sacrifice of the regiment to gain a few minutes' time and save the position, and probably the battlefield - and every man accepted the sacrifice, responding to Colville's orders rapidly given. The regiment in perfect line, with arms at 'right shoulder shift,' was in a moment sweeping down the slope directly upon the enemy's centre. No hesitation, no stopping to fire, though the men fell fast at every stride, before the concentrated fire of the whole Confederate force directed upon us as soon as the movement was observed. Silently, without orders, and almost from the start, double-quick had changed to utmost speed; for in utmost speed lay the only hope that any of us would pass through that storm of lead and strike the enemy. 'Charge!' shouted Colville as we neared their first line; and with leveled bayonets at full speed, we rushed upon it; fortunately it was slightly disordered in crossing a dry ruu at the foot of the slope. The men were never made who will stand against leveled bayonets coming with such momentum and evident desperation. The first line broke as we reached it, and rushed back through the second line, stopping the whole advance. We then poured in our first fire and availing ourselves of such shelter as the low bank of the dry brook afforded, held the entire force at bay for a considerable time, and until our reserves appeared on the ridge we had left. Had the enemy rallied quickly to a countercharge its great number would have crushed us in a moment. But the ferocity of our onset seemed to paralyze them for the tim^e, and although they poured upon us terrible and continuous fire from the front and enveloping our flanks, they kept at respectful distance from our bayonets, until before tlie added fire of our fresh reserves, they began to retire, and we were ordered back. What Hancock had given us to do was done thoroughly. The regiment had stopped the enemy, held back its mighty force and saved the position. But at what a sacrifice! Nearly every ofticer was dead or lay weltering with bloody wounds, our gallant Colonel and every field ofiicer among them. Of the 262 men who made the charge, 215 lay upon the field stricken down by the rebel bullets; 17 were still in line and not a man was missing."

"There is no more gallant deed recorded in history. I ordered those men in there because I saw I must gain five minutes time. Reinforcements were coming on the run, but I knew before they could reach the threatened point, the Confederates, unless checked, would seize the position. I would have ordered that regiment in if I had know that every man would be killed. It had to be done, and I was glad to find such a gallant body of men at hand willing to make the terrible sacrifice that the occasion demanded."

There were many acts of bravery exhibited by the soldiers from this county during the war which will be found recorded in the work already referred to; "Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars,'' which we hope will be read by all the young people of the State.

The history of the long struggle for the preservation of the Union, and its results in relation to human freedom, will be read and pondered with greater interest by the generations yet to be, than even by the present. Aud we trust that the remembrance of those stirring times, the noble deeds and sacrifices made by brave and patriotic men, will serve to perpetuate the principles of our government, and advance the cause of humanity until true liberty shall not only be proclaimed, but enjoyed, throughout all the earth by all the inhabitants thereof.

Two letters written just after the first battle at Bull lluu, aud published in the Red Wing Repuhlican at the time, will call t ) remembrance some of those scenes and trials experienced by our soldiers during the war. We shall close this chapter by giving a copy of each in full. The writers still live and are well known to the majority of our citizens.

I have delayed writing to you up to this time since my arrival from the disastrous scene at Manassas, in order, if possible, to be able to send you something definite in regard to the fate of your son, from soma of the stragglers coming in, having been cut off from the retreat and obliged to secrete themselves vipon or in the neighborhood of the field and slip away as opportunity presented. The most reliable accounts that I have heard, and which also corroborate the statements of our own boys who last saw him, lead me to believe that although prisoner and severely wounded he is safe and well cared for.

I cannot give you the particulars of the fight in this, only that after Edward had been twice wounded, first shot through the arm, making a slight flesh wound, and afterwards through the thigh, but not dangerously, he yet refused to leave the field.

When late in the day our flag was the only one left - every other regiment and the greater part of ours, with all the field officers, except Col. Miller, had retired or been scattered and dispersed - when at least one regiment had ref vised to support us when ordered - after one division of the regiment (companies A and P) together with members of other companies who, having lost their own, joined with us and a fragment of the Fire Zouaves had again and again repulsed the most overwhelming charges of infantry, driving them back with our galling fire, and had annihilated their four hundred black horsemen, not half a dozen returning from the charge against us - as we were still acting as skirmishers, spread out along the line of the wood where we had first been drawn up, and which position we maintained through the day, Edward, at the left flank of our company, with half a dozen of our brave boys around him, was charged upon twice in quick succession by a body of the enemy's infantry. The first was repulsed, he killing four of them with his revolver, and the boys keeping up an active fire from the brush with their rifles. The next made immediately after in overwhelming numbers, surrounded him with a wall of bayonets and forced our boys back. H. N. Barber, John Williams, Henry Bevans and others were acting with Edward at the time. A member of Captain Wilkin's company seeing the force of the enemy, secreted himself and saw, after our boys had drawn Imck, Edward surrounded and remained concealed until the enemy had retired from that position, went out but could not find him, and therefore assured me, that he was a prisoner, though he did not actually see him taken. This last fact I gathered last evening. The rest of our boys being farther to the right in the brush, briskly engaged, were ignorant of liis fate, and all of us just about that time being driven from the woods, but retiring slowly throvigh it and keeping the pursuit in check with our fire, and emerging from it in time to fall in where Col. Miller with the flag was endeavoring to make one more stand for Minnesota, which he did, checking the enemy in pursuit with our fire, and enabling us to leave the field, though this last stand was made far in the rear of our position during the day and of the place where Edward was taken. The enemy wished and used every means to secure officers as prisoners. Beauregard has sent a message, that he will treat our dead and wounded in his hands as well as his own. These are all the facts I can collect at present bearing on Edward's fate.

I must write to some of our friends whose boys were shot down by my side, and those whose fate is more uncertain than Edward's, among others, little Fred Miller, of whom I have been anxiously inquiring of every straggler that has come up. I cannot ascertain that anyone has seen him since he was with myself and Lee retiring along the wood, just before we made the stand under Col. Miller. Lee was shortly after seen dying. Of Fred no one in my company can give any further account. After we left the field I saw that if we had continued a short distance further along the wood we would all of us have fallen in with an immense band of the rebels, who lay concealed in the wood and whence I saw them march out and form in line of battle after we had retired upon our reserve. I think Fred was taken by them. Young Harris was shot through the upper part of the trunk, and lived bvxt abeut fifteen minutes. [This was a mistake; Harris was severely wounded, afterward discharged for disability.]

Rush, one of our very best men, was shot through the neck and instantly killed: Garrison through the hips, a mortal wound; John Barrow tlirough the shoulder, his fate is uncertain;

But you will be in no mood to look over this farther. One thing I can say. and I say it with pride and gratification, and I know you will read it with the same, however disgraceful to the country this may have been, however disastrous in its results, Minnesota has every reason to be proud of her sons; and when the official reports shall be published and the truth generally known, it will be seen that no regiment was in the field so long, no regiment did such terrible execution among the enemy, no regiment sustained greater loss, both officers and men, or sustained itself with more coolness, or precision, or was closer to the enemy's position, than the First Minnesota; and no company of our regiment is entitled to greater credit than company F, and but one that did as well, and that was Captain Wilkin's. Though other companies suffered so terribly in loss of l)()th officers and men in the first fire that they could not possibly remain as an organized company. Bvit I must close.

The following letter from Lieut. Martin JMugiunis, descriptive of the scene, is as vivid a picture of a great battle, as can be found in history:

When in earlier days in the school reader I perused the account of the Indian atrocities, which gave the name of Bloody Run to the stream on which we fought last Sunday, I little dreamed that I should be an actor in a tragedy played on its banks, like the late bloody battle, before which the affair which gave to the little stream its sanguinary title sinks into insignificance. With the particulars of our advance upon Centerville, the retreat of the rebels from Fairfax and the first battle at Bull Run you arc familiar. I will commence my narrative at six o'clock Saturday evening. Having tilled cur haver acks with three days' rations, we lay down to rest till two o'clock Sunday morning, the time set for the movement. It is a beautiful moonlight night, approaching nearer to one of our lovely moonlit evenings, than any night I have passed in Virginia. On hill and vale, for miles alcove and below us, rests the Grand Army of America gathering in repose strength for the battle. Not a breeze rustles the banners which droop over the lon^ lines of arms that glisten in the moonlight. The thousand dying campfires have a drowsy look, and the stillness of the evening is for the first time since our arrival on Thursday, unbroken by the rattle of the guns of the pickets and skirmishing parties of the two armies. All is still as death - the calm Vjefore the storm. Our boys are mostly sleeping, incredulous that the enemy will engage us tomorrow. The Captain, Lieut. Welch, and your correspondent in "officers' quarters" (the shade of a tree), are discussing the probabilities of an engagement. The Captain distrusts the policy, but poor Ed. and myself are certain of victory. It cannot possibly be otherwise, and bright are our anticipations. Alas! Alas! What may a day bring forth?

On Sunday morning at two o'clock, we took up our line of march. If you have read the World's description you know the general plan of the battle. One division attacking the centre, one attacking the enemy's right flank; and our right flank division marching by a circuitous route through the woods to the northward, to turn the enemy's left tlank. At twenty minutes past six the first gun was tired. At the same time we turned into the woods. After a fatiguing march of about ten miles, we emerged from the timber and got our first fair view of the battle ground. The enemy's position was a crescent of hills, presenting a front about seven miles long, and swelling back in terraces and plateaus, knotty knolls and knobs, rising above and behind each other up to the summit, which was perhaps two or three miles from the Run at the base of the hill. Every one of those knobs seemed intended for a battery, and defensive position, and every one we felt was put to its proper use, by that most skillful of engineers, Beauregard. Yet experience itself can hardly make us believe what I assure you to be the fact, that every piece of Vv'oods on those seven miles of hills contained a battery, and afforded thousands of rebels a shelter from which to pour on us a deadly fire. Every road and ravine of sheltered approach was commanded by their batteries, and to cover them, they had three men to our one. But few of the batteries were engaged until we emerged from the woods. This, however, seemed to be the signal for the tight to commence in earnest, and in ten minutes every cannon along the seven miles of our line, and in the answering batteries of the enemy, was adding its thunder notes to the dreadful diapason of war. Hunter's brigade of our division now engaged their infantry, and the rattle of musketry mingled with the roar of cannon. We stopped a few minutes to fill our canteens from the muddy run, and then dashed up the hill to assist the New York and Rhode Island regiments in their attack on the first battery. Throwing away our blankets and haversacks, so as to be unencumbered in the fight, we reached the top of the hill and closed en masse, for the charge, when the cheers from Hunter's brigade, as they drove on after the retiring enemy, told us the work was done. We feared we were to have no hand in the victory which seemed to await our arms from so auspicious a commencement. We waited not long, but filed "double quick'" through a wood and came to where our division was driving the enemy. Onward we pushed the column, till three batteries were taken, and the enemy, driven back on his second line of defenses, on the next plateau of hills, about half a mile to the rear of the position from which we had driven him.

We formed our line of battle on the hill which he had left - now covered with his dead and wounded, of which our surgeon took as good care as of our own. We were nos^ shown our position as forming, with the Zouaves, the advance of the army. We were to have the post of honor - and as it proved, of danger and death - the right flank regiment of the battle. From a piece of woods on the next plateau above, separated from us by a deep ravine and small run of water, the enemy opened upon us a heavy fire from a masked battery. It was directly south of the position we held. Col. Wilcox's brigade was sent around the head of the ravine, to attack it from the west. The Fire Zouaves was Wilcox's right flank regiment. The brigade filed around the ravine and took their position facing to the southeast. On the right of the Zouaves was a heavy piece of woods, from which the enemy might make a descent on their flank. To guard against this, we were ordered to march up to it. We filed along the brow of the hill, the secession battery firing away at us with shot and shell, as if they were shooting at a target. They made good shots. I remember distinctly one ball that struck the ground about ten yards from me, and rolled harmlessly to where I stopped it with my foot. My left hand man picked it up and tossed it towards them. Most of the balls passed over our heads and the shells, though they tore up the ground around us, did not harm any of our company. Company H, however, had the misfortune to lose some. Our boys paid little attention to this cricketing, as they called it; the bowling was not good; yet I could not help remarking to the Captain at the involuntary ducking and bowing of heads along the line, whenever old Beaviregard sent his iron compliments roaring over us, that the Minnesota First was a most "demned perlite" regiment. (At this William smiled out of Leighton's canteen.)

Sherman opened his battery to protect us, and threw his shot and shell among them so fast, that it soon diverted their attention from our proceedings. We now crossed the ravine and run and formed a line of battle on the double quick. This brought our left flank on the Zouaves' right, and our line at right angles with theirs; our faces to the south and within ten feet of the above mentioned woods, into which, so thick was the brush, our gaze could not penetrate. All along the line the battle continued to rage. Only here the woods seemed naturally still and innocent. No enemy could be seen. It appeared as if we had been taken to a place of safety - out of the fight. We began to think we had nothing to do. " Feel for an enemy in there. Col. Gorman," said the General as he rode past. Col. Gorman gave the word in clear tones, "Steady, steady, Minnesota; aim low; fire!" And we poured a thousand rifle bullets into the woods. We subseqviently found how dreadfully they told on the enemy. That volley seemed the signal to unchain Pandemonium. A masked battery on our left within a hundred yards, opened a terrific fire, and all along the line of the woods, not over thirty feet from us, rolled out upon us a sheet of flame and a storm of bullets, from the Alabama and Mississippi infantry. Terrific and svidden was that shower of grape and canister, ball and bombs, bullets and Ijursting shells, which tore through our ranks and raged along our line, beyond all I had ever read or imagined, and mowed down our gallant lads like grass before the scythe. The din of battle was above all sounds. A couple of our cannon, which came up to assist us, fired away unnoticed and unheeded. Unexpected and terrible as was the shock, our troops stood manfully before it, and answered their fire with terrible effect. And now the dreadful cry ran along the ranks that we were "firing on our friends." This cry was raised by the secessionists and it is said they displayed the American flag. Be that as it may, the effect was awful. A momentary paralysis came upon us. Our firing died away. Our battery on the left fell short of ammunition. The enemy made a. desperate charge. Their musketry deepened roll upon roll, and resembled the sharp continuous cracking of thunder. Their battery was in a sheet of flame and the smoke rose to blot out the sun.

Our left flank was driven backward on the tide of fire. So were the Zouaves behind us; our flag was pushed down the slope. The cannon was taken by the enemy. The two right wing companies stood firm. Company A and company P never lost an inch of ground. We were all kneeling, not for fear, but for accuracy in taking aim. Our boys were cool; every shot told.

The enemy were at one time between us and our reghuent. The General called on us to run to the woods. We were too busy to hear such an order. "Stand fast for God's sake, company F,'' shouted the gallant Welch, and we stood fast. "If you budge an inch, Mit," shout jd Sergeant Bevans to his brother, "I'll shoot you in your tracks." The threat was unnecessary. Why the enemy did not surround us and sweep us from the field, God in his mercy only knows.

The enemy's battery ceased for a moment. Their own men were in its path now. The musketry again subsided into sharp rattling peals. Our left flank and the Zouaves came gallantly up driving the traitors like sheep before them. The flag of Minnesota was again in the front of the battle. For a little while the firing on both sides was broken and irregular. Our lines closed up again, and then from the hill, compact and solid, shaking the ground and filling the air with dust, came down the ttower of Virginia's chivalry -the " Black Horse (iuards.' For a moment their battery was still, the musketry was hushed, and they moved down upon us, gallantly dashingly onward. The Zouaves poured a deadly volley into them. Numerous saddles were emptied and riderless horses plunged madly over fallen steeds and men. Now they wheeled down upon us like lightning. We closed vip our ranks and poured a steady murderous fire into them. Horses and men fell together in masses, and not one-third of the dashing horsemen went back to tell the tale of their repulse. The ground was covered with the dead - their horses and accoutrements.

The enemy now sent down on us another regiment of infantry. After about tifteen minutes of a skirmishing fight, we drove them back. They were Mississippians, I believe. Following our gallant and dashing Captain, who took a Mississippi Colonel and three men prisoners with his own hand,we chased them up into the woods. Nothing like regularityT)r military precision could be kept in such a place. Companies and regiments were broken up. Every man fought on his on hook. Into the woods we followed them and saw there the effects of our terrible fire. The gi'ound was covered with their dead and dying. Many of the latter begged pitiously for water. Our boys humanely relieved their wants in this respect. The enemy were every where in the bush. Friend and foe were intermingled and desperate hand to hand conflicts were going on with muskets, pistols, bayonets and even knives. *****

We drove them back bshind their entrenchments, back bohind their batteries, back to their rifle pits, back on the solid columns of thous mds that they still had in reserve. And those fresh thousands now opened upon us a terrible fire in front. Their batteries raked our flanks and our laggard friends who had just made out to reach the position we had left, poured a galling fire upon us from behind. This position was terrible. Our men fell with terrible rapidity. Rush's neck was carried away with a grape shot. Jimmy Underwood fell with a rifle ball in the forehead; Salle was pierced through the heart; Lee fell with a broken leg; Scofield was wounded in the neck; Barrow had previously been carried otf the ground; the gallant Garrison fell severely wounded, and McKinley received a ball in the hip at nearly the same moment; Childs was wounded on the head. All that are now missing were with us there. Noble friend Welch and brave little Fred Miller among the foremost. What is their fate, God alone knows, but there they last stood with us and

It was not in the retreat, not with our backs to the foe, not amid the ranks of the panic stricken cowards, who scared at the sight of a runaway team, flying towards Washington, while we waited anxiously for them to come to support us in the positions we had so desperately fought for and so gallantly won. No, it was here inside the enemy's lines - at the mouth of their cannon, whose fiery, sulphurous breath was on our cheeks, and shut from our eyes the blue dome of heaven - whose vomit of balls and bursting shells tore up the green earth around us; whose terrible thunders shook the solid hills; at the highest point that was reached on the hills between friend and foe, where the torrent of death poured in ujjon us on all sides. In this focus of balls and bullets, in this hailstorm of fire and carnage, Red Wing, Goodhue county, left her dead.

We fought our way out of the woods as best we could, dragging with us the prisoners we had taken. Away in a sheltered hollow we looked around us. Neither Capt. Colville, nor Capt. Wilkin, nor Lieut. Welch, nor Sergt. Clark, nor Sergt. Bevans had come out of the woods. We supposed they were dead. Sergeants Bruce and Harris were with us. We afterward learned that the others had niissed us, by bearing further to the right. Lieut. Welch was not with them. Wilkin, who was with him, said he was unhurt when he left in the brush. Dave Marble, however, says he saw him wounded and refusing to be carried off the ground. Our only hope is that he was taken prisoner as tho secessionists had orders to take all officers uninjured - probably to facilitate exchange. Col. Gorman was again rallying the remains of the regiment just below us. What were left of our company rallied around the Wabasha flag - you know we have none of our own - and with about forty from other companies, and Col. Miller at ovir head, we carried it to the top of the hill driving back the traitors who had followed us. It was in this rally that Charley Harris was severely wounded. We pressed our way to the top of the knoll. The enemy were now entirely silent in the woods. We waved our flag in triumph and gave three cheers. No troops came to support us - the enemy were pourin"- in thousands of fresh men - the brigade on our left gave way before the over-powering force - our line was broken through the centre - the enemy could easily have surrounded us - the day, the battle, all was lost.

In obedience to orders, sullenly and gloomily we took our backward march, carrying off our wounded. The pelting bullets that the advancing enemy poured down on us, we regarded with the indifference of despair. Several of our men fell, or at least they were missing when we reached the hospital. Col. Gorman had succeeded in getting the regiment into something like order. We took our place in the battalion, and in pretty good shape fell back onCenterville. Here Captain Colville, Sergeant Clark and our boys up to the number of sixty came in; eight more met us at Alexandria, which left us sixty-eight, out of ninety with which we went into the fight - a loss of one-fourth in "killed, wounded and missing." We arrived in Centerville just twentyfour hours after the time mentioned at the commencement of this narrative. What an eventful day! You probably know ere this the names of our lost. I will send another letter soon. For the present I remain, Yours truly,

The material interests of the couuty suffered greatly during the progress o£ war. Taxes were increased and of necessity there was a constant drain upon the resources of all who remained at home. Help for the cultivation of the soil was scarce. Prices were high. Private enterprise stood still. Public improvements were hindered. All eyes were turned toward the south, and all hearts beat anxiously for the result of the struggle. Bat of all the trials endured and losses sustained, in these years of conflict, none wore to ba compared with the loss of lives of those who went out never to return.

of the promising young men was A. Edward Welch, Major of the Fourtli regiment of Minnesota volunteers, who died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1, 1864. His body was soon after brought to Red Wing for interment. Funeral services were held at Christ Church, conducted by Rector, afterward Bishop, Welles.

God alone knows the heart of man. He only can untangle the web of human motives and detect the hidden springs of human action; but as far as can be judged by us, his fellows, no youth has ever drawn his sword in his country's cause, under the insijiration of a purer love of country, than Major Welch. Whatever may have been his original temperament, it is certain that upon his first battle field he evinced the possession of a perfect courage. In siege and battle, in the deadly air of pestilential prisons, in the long exhaustion which comes from protracted labor and suffering, his was the courage which gave equanimity to a brave and manly character. It wrings our hearts that throvigh such sorrows as burden us today, a character so loving, so patient, so beloved, comes to be truly known. I have abstained intentionally so from any reference to his private character, in this imperfect sketch.

As we gather around the bier we do not seek to forget the earnest Christian youth, the loving son, the affectionate brother; but chiefly would we remember the brave, noble hearted soldier of his country. This concourse of citizens, these badges of mourning, betoken public grief. The flag is furled above him, which he would gladly have shielded from dishonor with his life. The sword rests upon his coffin, which in his hand would never have been used but bravely and well.

When treason first leveled its shafts at Fort Sumter, in April, 18G1, he was one of the first to spring to arms at the call of the President for troops. His many excellent qualities were recotniized by the brave men who then rallied around the flag, and when the flrst company was filled, he was unanimously elected first lieutenant. At Bull Run he was among the brav- est of brave men who fought in the disastrous battle, was wounded and taken prisoner, and for months contined in various southern dungeons. Just previous to his exchange, he was appointed Major of the Fourth regiment. While our borders were being devastated by a ruthless band of Indians, he was put in command of a detachment of the Third regiment, then on the frontier, and was engaged in the battle of Wood Lake, where he was severely wounded in the knee by a musket ball. When but partially recovered he joined his regiment Ijefore the defenses of Vicksburg, and participated in that iiiemorable siege, being again wounded by a piece of a shell during a desperate assault upon the enemy s works. Since then, until just previous to his death, he has accompanied his regiment, being always on hand when duty called.

The following named residents of this county liave served the State and Territory of Minnesota from time to time, in the several impoitant otttces indicated :

House Of Representativks

Auditors - E. Norelius, in 1858, but did not qualify; Jonathan Going appointed to fill vacancy. Hans Mattson, F. Joss, S. J. Willard, C. C. Webster, E. H. Druse, Carl N. Lien.