July 2nd, 1863: Battle of Gettysburg - As Sickles’s line collapsed under Confederate attack, it became apparent that the situation was dire. If the enemy managed to get through the gap, they would be able to roll up the Union forces, devastating the Union Army and likely ending the war. Gray uniforms arrived in magnificent waves, hurling death and destruction from rifles and batteries. Union General Winfield S. Hancock had sent for reinforcements but they would not arrive for at least five minutes. All he had to plug the gap stood before him. He looked at the regiment and said “My God, are these all the men we have?” They were. “What regiment is this?” Hancock asked. “The 1st Minnesota,” commanding officer Colonel William Colvill replied. “Charge those lines,” ordered Hancock.
The 1st Minnesota was outnumbered at least 6 to 1. The regiment was to be sacrificed for an uncertainty. Colonel Colvill turned to his men and ordered them to fix bayonets and “forward, double quick.” Not a single man disobeyed the order. At first they began moving in two lines, which they held as long as possible under punishing fire before driving straight into the center of the enemy. Their flag fell five times, and each time was picked up again. By the time they reached the enemy the 1st Minnesota was spread out fighting individually or in small groups. Still, they held their line and prevented the Confederates from pushing any further forward.
Hancock had asked them for five minutes. The 1st Minnesota gave him fifteen. They lost 215 men, 82% of the regiment, which remains the largest loss of life by any U.S. regiment in a single day of battle. The General would later say that “No soldiers on any field, in this or any other country, ever displayed grander heroism.” What remained of the 1st Minnesota was plugged into other units and found themselves at the focal point of Pickett’s Charge where they performed admirably again. Historians believe that the 1st Minnesota’s charge saved the Union at Gettysburg, and as a result was one of the essential moments in winning the Civil War. (x)
(Top and bottom images painted by Don Troiani. Middle images painted by Dale Gallon)
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