Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Wasioja Revisited, Part III


Minnesota, as a State, was only three years old when Alexander Ramsey, our first governor happened to be in Washington lobbying for railroad expansion across the Big River, when the shots at Fort Sumter rang out.  He immediately rushed to the War Department when the telegraphed news became known throughout the city. It was there that he was to be the first governor to volunteer  troops to rush to the defense of the nation’s capital.  The First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment was thus there from the beginning at Bull Run to Gettysburg and beyond.  Today, at the Wasiojas Civil War Days, we would see a small reenactment of that regiments decisive role in the pivotal battle of the Civil War.
A potentially fatal crack had developed in the Unions defensive line as several thousand screaming rebels rush through the opening.  In reserve behind the battle line the 1st Minnesota Volunteers were approached by General Hancock "who are these troops?"  "Minnesota 1st" their leader Colonel Colville replied. With that Hancock pointed down the slope towards the onrushing enemy troops and ordered  a charge.  Fixing bayonets and knowing the attack was suicidal but a few moments relief might give Hancock time to shore up the defense they did as order.  It worked but at   a high cost indeed. Of some four hundred men only 40 escaped unscathed. It was the highest single casualty rare of any major unit in the Civil War.

We joined the crowd gathering in the football stands along the highway looking toward a farmstead, woods and a valley to the south.
My new found friends from that morning, the New Ulm Artillery Battery,  soon appeared on the ridge deploying their big guns.
With big bangs and lots of smoke...
And thus from the smoke, pain and horror of a real war one hundred and fifty years ago a new nation emerged and today we are all the better for it.....
 

13 comments:

  1. We watched a reenactment at Perryville, KY a few years ago. Really quite awe inspiring to watch troops charge on horseback.

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  2. What a great adventure for you and Mrs. T. ! :)

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  3. Bless the people of Minnesota for all they have done for this Nation. The brave young men of the Minnesota 1st gave everything to keep our Union.

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  4. This is history that I know little about. Thanks for making sure I'm aware of it now, TB. And one of these days perhaps I will see a reenactment like this!

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  5. Perhaps the most vicious, prolonged conflicts this country has experienced, and the reasons are still being debated today. Slavery is gone, but it's effects linger, the divide has moved to the economic world, and has widened.

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  6. What a dreadful cost in lives that only 40 survived. That had to be quite a thing to witness. Reenactments take the academia out of war and bring home the reality.

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  7. I've really enjoyed this reenactment. Some of those people really get carried away with authenticity.

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  8. I don't know if I could watch a reenactment like that but I do appreciated the history lesson and commend the Minnesotans for their bravery and love of Nation.

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  9. Thanks for the history lesson. It was a war that was fought between troop, up close and personal. Your Civil War was a ghastly affair with great losses for a young and small Nation.

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  10. I like you reference to New Ulm. My brother's first wife was from there in Blue Earth County.

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  11. Fabulous shots and interesting facts Ray. Thank you!

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  12. Wonderful photos. The reenactment certainly brings the reality of war to life. Such a devastating loss of life during the Civil War.

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  13. Gosh ~ what a reenactment!
    Wishing you and your sweetie a happy week!
    xo Catherine

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