I shall recall famous stories, of soldiers from our state
Who fiercely fought the Civil War, and bravely met the fates.

1. The War Begins (April 13, 1861)

April Eighteen Sixty One arrives, artillery in action.
There's news of Civil War caused panic, coming from the South.
Something bad is brewing at Sumter, shelling at the fort.
Alexander Ramsey's army, is activated first
While waiting there in Washington, walking in local park,
The Governor grants Lincoln, use of Minnesota's Guards.

As the "call to arms" is announced, an Army marches forth.
One thousand nine volunteer troopers, soon take the war oath.
The Senate sets a 3 year stint, signed up and marched away.
Just sixteen days since Sumter, our young soldiers march to war.

From Fort Snelling fighting field they march, many are on foot,
Our State selected soldiers, sent to Alexandria.
When volunteers get to Virginia, vying gallant fight,
They're marched and maneuvered many days, as the months go by.


2. The First Bull Run at Manassas (July 21, 1861)

In Manassas battle called Bull Run, many boys soon died.
North callously confident, when citizens watched nearby.
Southerners succeeded, victory for seceded states.

The Run became a Union route, when lines broke they just ran.
But the battery in the middle, held the battle line.
Rickett's cannon was reinforced, retreat was thus contained,
On Henry House Hill charging stopped, Minnesotans held firm.
Firing guns fiercely in their midst, Rebel foe was repelled
Until Union cause was useless, withdrawn under duress.

Covering campaign's retreat, created certain havoc.
Minnesota men where last, to move from bloody battle.

With a field that's full of bodies, and frenzied citizens,
The Republic was in panic, with the patrons fleeing town.
Had Lee not failed to follow up, war would soon be finished.
The fear and fate set loose that day, saved the fickled Union.

Still, our fellows at First Bull Run, were the fiercest unit,
With final casualties counted, calamity declared.
With twenty percent lives lost, losses exceed all others.
The highest human loss, from a hard learned engagement.



3. The Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg (Sept 16-17, 1862)

September soon saw Sharpsburg, as the South invades the North
Antietam is another name, for action near this place.
McClellan made the most mistakes, missed his opportunity
To win with overwhelming odds, an outright victory
In far flung fields, Antietam creek, and forested high hills,
When the Union's plans waivered, the war became disjointed
As conflict in the center cornfield, changed hands 15 times.

Antietam's annals all record, the action in West Woods.
Stonewall Jackson enjoined the fight, just before hilltop line.
Sedgewood's union foray failed, but 1st Infantry still stood
To hold back rebel harassment, and break their horrid will.

The fiercest fire saved a route, as bullets filled the air.
Three times their torrid shots unleashed, they took Grey's colors down,
A hail of hellfire ruled the day, then bayonets in hand.
The boys where blooded in those woods, as battles often would,
While 28 percent were lost, South's leverage was wasted.

But blunders by the Northern brass, made battle inconclusive.
Still Lee became the first to leave, left to fight another day.
Enough encouragement to cause, epic's victory claim.

Lincoln's plans produced, Emancipation Proclamation.


4. Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)

It's here the Minnesotans made, most memorable mark
Where President's performance, proclaimed this place hallowed ground,
Where armies met and aired their wrath, against angry armed men.
Where Pennsylvanian pastures played, pivotal wartime role.

Here great actions at Gettysburg, had armies grand and strong
Engage their enemies three days each, an extraordinary time.
From first to third the fighting raged, the fiercest of the War.
The conflict centers on a hill, named Cemetery Ridge.
Union cannon clear below, as collected rebels charge.

Enjoined in battle July 2, jagged line in peril,
Minnesota men rushed in, to mend broken battle line,
When Colonel Colville ordered it, they charged right in headlong.
Two hundred sixty two were sent, these true heroic men,
Outnumbered only five to one, they overtook the rebs.
This unit's flag fell five times then, but flew again each time.
The battle raged relentlessly, 'til reinforcements came.

Which Winfield Scott Hancock had hoped, would hold the cannon's ground.
Had rebels reached the top, repercussions would be dire.
1st Infantry's fine sacrifice, would find it all for naught.

Two hundred fifteen men died fast, in those fatal minutes
It took to buy the time, to reinforce terraced summit.
Eighty two percent lives ended, expelling rebel charge.
Death rate ran so rare, it remains the highest to this day.

But the bitterness was yet to come, by the next day's date.
Since July 3rd was to see, another serious threat.
When Pickett called his famous "Charge", we countered once again.

Minnesota's troops fought the Middle, mayhem all around,
Repelling Rebel's rushed advance, avoiding another route.
Five hundred heroes charged that day, but how many survived?
Only eighty eight left alive, everyone a story.
In the heat of heavy combat, unheard of valor reigned,
While many dead and wounded, would sacrifice their lives.
Heroic Henry O'Brien wounded twice, held the Union flag,
Battered and bleeding he held it high, helping battle pride.
Then Private Sherman picked the rebel flag, putting to shame
28th Virginia's vain colors, vented and retained.
Trophy of that torrid fight, tightly held within our state.
And through it all the troops prevailed, and turned the rebel's tails.

So twice they held the Southern charges, and twice they saved the day.
Early's ended July 2, Pickett's ended July 3.

The Unit's legend lives today, this battle leads the way.
Their glory gained in battle, kept our grateful nation saved.
Minnesota's moments praised, monuments on battlefield.
Their courage is recounted, in colorful citation,
Right there on Cemetery Ridge, the record stands in stone.
A Regiment renowned, remains upon its hallowed ground.


5. Other Actions

The company campaigned Fredericksburg, but not contending,
Rearguard reinforcements, recognition of their losses.
At Chancellorsville carried the dead, no casualties were had.
Fought in Bristoe battles, and behind battle at Mine Run.
But no more casualties were borne, beyond those said before.

Even politics played part, when President Lincoln asked
To quell the querulous draft riots, quiet New York Streets,
They garrisoned at Governor's Island, gave the city peace.

After epic enlistments ended, exercised their right,
To muster out as honored men, marched back to the fort.
Treated as triumphant heroes, in towns along the way,
A Thousand nine troops marched to war, but 309 remained.


6. Epilogue

You'd think that ordeal would do it, their duty had been done.
Most reenlisted when new units went, 'til war was won.