Uncommon Valor, First Minnesota

[Subdeacon Joe]

“My God, are these all the men we have?”, General Hancock

The 1st Minnesota, just prior to their “Forlorn Hope” attack against Cadmus Wilcox’s Brigade of Alabamians, evening of the 2nd Day, Gettysburg, by artist Don Troiani — arguably the grandest charge in military history. Outnumbered by as much as 6 to 1, these men knew what was being asked of them — to sell their lives as dearly as possible. And they did: not a single man shirked his duty that day.

In their own words, from the 1st Minnesota Monument on Cemetery Ridge near the Pennsylvania Monument:

“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 were crossing the swale. To gain time to bring up the reserves and save this position General Hancock in person ordered the eight companies to charge the rapidly advancing enemy. The order was instantly repeated by Col. Wm. Colville and the charge instantly made down the slope at full speed through the concentrate 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 the position and probably the battlefield. The loss of the eight companies in the charge was 215 killed and wounded, more than 85 percent. 47 men were still in line and no missing. In self-sacrificing desperate valor this charge has no parallel in any war. The next day the regiment participated in repelling Pickett’s charge losing 17 more men killed and wounded.”

The charge and fight lasted about 15 minutes, saving the Union center, and maybe the whole battle — at a cost of over 80% casualties.

Colonel William Colville led the men into action and was wounded during the July 2 charge. Captain Nathan Messick took over command only to be killed the next day during the repulse of Pickett’s Charge. He was briefly followed by Captain Wilson B. Farrell, who was also killed, and finally by Captain Henry C. Coates.