Draw the Sword

A Fighting 300 Regiment

Location: Hancock Avenue just south of Pennsylvania Monument. There is a second monument also along Hancock Avenue closer to the Angle.

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Number Engaged: 420 brought to Gettysburg; 50 killed, 173 wounded, 1 missing

Commander: Col. William Colvill (1830-1905)

Raised: At large.

Monument Specifications: Atop a tall square base stands a bronze figure of a infantryman advancing toward the enemy with his rifle raised. The granite base is adorned on the side with a bronze relief plaque depicting a group of infantrymen engaged in battle. The front of the base is adorned with a bronze seal. The base rests on three steps. It marks the spot where the First Regiment was ordered into battle on July 2, 1863. The monument was struck by lightning on July 10, 1904 which melted the lead pointing between the joints of the base and left streaks of discoloration on the granite. The damage was repaired by bush-hammering the streaks of discoloration and refilling the leaded joints. The monument cost $16,000.

Dedication Date: July 2, 1897.

Sculptor/Artist/Company: Jacob Fjelde, 1859-1896, sculptor.

Main Inscription: On the afternoon of July 2, 1863 Sickles Third Corps having advanced from this line to the Emmitsburg Road eight companies of the First Minnesota Regiment numbering 262 men were sent to this place to support a battery upon Sickles repulse. As his men were passing here in confused retreat two Confederate brigades in pursuit to gain time to bring up reserves and save this position Gen Hancock in person ordered the eight companies to charge the rapidly advancing enemy. The order was instantly repeated by Col. Wm. Colvill and the charge as instantly made down the slope at full speed through the concentrated fire of the two brigades. Breaking with the bayonet the enemy’s front line as it was crossing the small brook in the low ground there. The remnant of the eight companies nearly surrounded by the enemy held its entire force at bay for a considerable time and till it retired on the approach of the reserve. The charge successfully accomplished its object. It saved this position and probably the battlefield. The loss of the eight companies in the charge was 215 killed and wounded. More than 83 percent. 47 men were still in line and no man missing. In self-sacrificing desperate valor this charge has no parallel in any war. Among the severely wounded were Col. Wm. Colvill, Lt. Co.. Chas. P. Adams and Maj. Mark W. Downie. Among the killed Capt. Joseph Periam, Capt. Louis Mullen and Lt. Waldo Farrar. The next day the regiment participated in repelling Pickett’s Charge losing 17 more men killed and wounded.

Other Monuments and Memorials: There are two. Urn located in the National Cemetery, Minnesota plot. Placed in 1867, making it one of the battlefield’s oldest monuments. Inscription reads, “All time is the millennium of their glory.” The second monument is located where the 1st Minnesota defended against Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. Dedicated in 1897. Inscription reads, On July 3rd 1863 the survivors of this Regiment (See large monument 1/3 mile south of this) aided here in repelling Pickett’s Charge and ran hence to the aid of Webb’s Brigade taking a conspicuous part in the counter-charge which successfully ended the conflict losing then 17 additional killed and wounded and capturing Confederate flag. There captains Nathan S. Messick and Wilson B. Farrell successfully commanding the regiment, were killed. Total killed and wounded in the battle 232, out of 330 engaged.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Capt. Henry C. Coates (will open a pop up window).

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

The first Regiment tendered to the government, April 14, 1861. Organized under first call at Fort Snelling, Minn., and mustered in April 29, 1861, for three months. Reorganized for three years May 10, 1861, to date from April 29, 1861. Companies “B” and “G” moved to Fort Ridgly, Minn., May 28. Company “A” moved to Fort Ripley May 29. Company “E” moved to Fort Ripley June 6, and Companies “C” and “D” moved to Fort Abercrombie June 10. Rejoined Regiment at Fort Snelling under orders for Washington, D. C., June 21. Moved to Washington, D.C., June 22-26, and to Alexandria July 3. Attached to Franklin’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division, McDowell’s Army of Northeast Virginia, to August, 1861. Stone’s Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1861. Gorman’s Brigade, Stone’s (Sedgwick’s) Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to February, 1864, Dept. of the Northwest to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.–Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21, 1861. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Moved to Seneca Mills, Md., August 2-7, thence to near Edward’s Ferry, August 16, and duty guarding Upper Potomac until February, 1862. Operations about Ball’s Bluff October 11-23. Battle of Ball’s Bluff October 21. Leesburg Road October 21 (2 Cos.). Goose Creek and near Edward’s Ferry October 22. Advance toward Winchester, Va., February 25-March 15. At Bolivar Heights until March 22. Moved to Washington and Alexandria, thence to Hampton, Va., March 22-April 1. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. West Point May 7. Advance to the Chickahominy May 9-23. Built Grape Vine Bridge May 27-28. Battle of Fair Oaks May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Peach Orchard, Allen’s Farm and Savage Station June 29. White Oak swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1 and August 5. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Moved to Alexandria August 16-28, thence march to Centerville August 30. Cover Pope’s retreat to Washington September 1-2. Near Chantilly and Flint River September 1. Vienna September 2. Maryland Campaign September 6-22. Battles of South Mountain September 14 and Antietam September 16-17. March to Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., September 22, and duty there until October 30. Reconnaissance to Charlestown October 16-17. March up Loudon Valley and to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 17. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. At Falmouth until April, 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations about Franklin’s Crossing April 29-May 2. Battle of Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks’ Ford May 4. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 12-July 24. Haymarket June 25. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. At Kelly’s Ford, Va., July 31-August 15. Detached for duty in New York during draft disturbances August 15-September 16. Rejoined Brigade near Culpeper September 16. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Bristoe Station October 14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. At Kelly’s Ford until November 26. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Robertson’s Tavern November 27. Mine Run November 28-30. Camp at Stevensburg, Va., until February 5, 1864. Ordered home for muster out February 5. Moved to Fort Snelling, Minn., and duty there until April 29. Mustered out April 29, 1864, expiration of term. Veterans and Recruits organized into two Companies as 1st Minnesota Battalion Infantry. At Fort Snelling, Minn., and duty there until May 16. Moved to Washington, D.C., May 16-22, thence to White House May 30-June 1. Assigned to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, and Joined Brigade at Cold Harbor, Va., June 12. Moved to Petersburg, Va., July 12-15. Assaults on Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864. Demonstration north of the James July 27-29. Deep Bottom July 27-28. Demonstration north of the James August 13-20. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. Weldon Railroad August 25. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-29. Raid on Weldon Railroad December 7-11. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865. Watkins’ House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Hatcher’s Run, Boydton Road,-March 29-31. Crow’s House March 31. Sutherland Station and fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Sailor’s Creek April 6. High Bridge and Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Washington, D.C., May 2-12. Grand Review May 23. Moved to Louisville June 6-9, and duty there until July 15. Mustered out July 15, 1865. Regiment lost during service 10 Officers and 177 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 97 Enlisted men by disease. Total 286.

Comments on this Post

2 Responses to “* 1st Minnesota Infantry”

1. Randy says:

   May 24, 2007 at 6:41 pm

   Hi

   For any one interested in the 1st. Minnesota Vol’s.
   The last full measure by Richard Moe is one of the
   best Regimental history’s.
2. Brian Leehan says:

   June 12, 2008 at 3:09 pm

   Not meaning to “beat my own drum” (well, okay – a little roll, maybe), but I wrote a book several years ago called “Pale Horse at Plum Run: The First Minnesota at Gettysburg.” Very detailed account of the regiment’s part in the battle. Minnesota Historical Society Press, won the Minnesota Book Award.