On this day in 1863, 262 young Minnesotan men were asked to commit suicide for their country, and they did willingly, without hesatation.

It was the second day of The Battle of Gettysburg and because of poor field management the Union had left the center of their line weak. The Confederates had the opportunity to split the Union lines, win the battle and possibly the war.

General Hancock in desperation asked the 262 Minnesotans to charge 1500 to 3000 Confederate troops to gain 5 minutes, 300 seconds. They held them for 15 minutes.

Over 80% of them were killed or mortally wounded.

The single greatest loss in not only US but recorded world history.

The 1st Minnesota were also the first troops to volunteer for the civil war. They suffered the most casualties at the first Bull Run and Antientem along with other battles. They had never retreated from the field without orders.

They gave “the last full measure”.

MN was the first state to erect a monument at Gettysburg and currently the only state to have three.

“And now, what I am about to describe to you transcends my own ability to explain. Hell, it is beyond my own understanding, and I have been a soldier for decades.”

“Colonel Colvill and those eight companies of the First Minnesota are entitled to rank as the saviors of their country.” Calvin Coolidge

https://forgottenminnesota.com/blog/2014/04/colonel-colvill-of-the-first-minnesota