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APR 30: Last Soldier Dedication - Murray County Last Union Soldier Dedication at the Slayton Cemetery in Slayton. In partnership with the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 56 and the local American Legion, the First Minnesota paid respect to Private Edwin Wheeler. Soldiers participating were dual members 1SG Urbanski, PVT Carlberg, and PVT Blankenburg. Additional 1st Minnesota members PVT Arn Kind, PVT Dan Hays and PVT Peter Moon also attended. While the light rain reduced the number of people who attended, it was a nicely done event. Photos by Georgia Lursen.
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MAY 13-15: Spring Muster - 3 Rivers Park (aka Murphy's Landing) in Shakopee, MN.
We had a good turnout of old troops who needed to shake the dust off and several new troops who were either drilling for the first time or attempting to muster in. 1st SGT Urbanski provided four classes intended for practical application of our impressions in the field: musket cleaning and care, packing a knapsack/bedroll, pitching and camping in a shelter tent, and the campaign uniform: practical tips for the field. 13. In addition, there was company drill to help us to be ready for upcoming parades and Cedar Mountain, Le Duc, etc. The following members of the First Minnesota mustered in, for both knowledge and drill, at our Spring Muster: PVT Blake Green, PVT Dan Hayes, PVT Matthew Moon, PVT Matthew Nyquist, and PVT Jackson Piper. Congratulations Privates! Thanks to our cooks Catie Jacobs and company, and to PVT Miles Jewell for coordinating the logistics for this great event. Photos courtesy of John Phillips and Richard Farber. PVT John Phillips shared the fun from our Spring muster at the Landing: * Video1: (2min) Camp cooks around the fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL91wO7uV4o * Video2: Artillery drill and firing! https://www.facebook.com/BatteryI Photos below by Kyle Watts, and of PVT McCrady by Gary Carlberg |
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MAY 15: Last Soldier Dedication - The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) conducted the Ramsey County Last Union Soldier dedication ceremony with the assistance of reenactors from the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Battery I 1st US Artillery and the North St. Paul American Legion. This ceremony was at the Union Cemetery in Maplewood. The last soldier is PVT Washington Fisher from Company G, 49th WI Infantry. He was a member of the Garfield Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post No. 8 in St. Paul and in 1937 he was named State Adjutant General of the Minnesota GAR. He was an honorary member of the SUVCW. The First Minnesota conducted "Rest on Arms" and fired three volleys of musketry. This was followed by Battery I 1st US Artillery firing two blanks. These were great crowd-pleasing events. Dual First Minnesota and SUVCW members included 1st SGT Doug Urbanski (as Captain), PVT Mark Dittman, and PVT Gary Carlberg (as 1st Lieutenant). Other First Minnesota members included SGT Martin Goff, PVT Dave McCollum, PVT Windahl and PVT Patrick Chase. MAY 30: Memorial Day parade in Woodbury with a ceremony at the Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial. This event was hosted by Woodbury VFW Post 9024 and the Woodbury American Legion Post 501 to honor residents who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Retired Woodbury Fire Chief John Wallgren delivered a speech after Mayor Anne Burt welcomed all who attended the ceremony. The VFW Post 9024 and American Legion Post 501 were joined by the Woodbury Air Force JROTC unit, the Patriotic Heritage Allegiant Guard, Cub Scout Pack 559, and the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Members participating: Captain Tom Shaw, Regimental Sergeant Major John Taylor (with Regimental Colors), musicians John Guthmann and Jim Moffet; 1st Sargent Doug Urbanski, 2nd Sergeant Keith Kosek, 3rd Sergeant Martin Goff, Corporals Mike Settle, LeRoy Burggraff and David McConnell; Orderly Sergeant Mark Dittman, Recruiting Sergeant Madison Shaw; and Privates Stephen Osman, Kurtis Klotzbuecher, Evan Windahl (with US Colors), Dan Hayes, Brad Scarp, and Pat Chase. Photos by permission from Russ Windahl. |
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JUN 11: "Charge of the 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg" at the Department of Minnesota VFW State Convention in St. Cloud. In the upper left photo Major General Hancock (Gary Carlberg), talks to his Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant Colonel Charles Morgan (Bob Krominga), on how General Birney’s Division in III Corps is making a run to the rear as they are chased by about 1,600 Confederates from an Alabama Brigade. Hancock looks for reinforcements, sees an Infantry Regiment of about 260 marching in and asks the Commander, "What Regiment is this?" Colonel Colvill (Doug Urbanski), Commander of the First Minnesota Regiment, replies, "First Minnesota.” “Colonel, do you see those colors? Charge those lines,” commands Hancock. The First Minnesota fixes bayonets, goes to right should shift, at the double quick, and then they charge without a man deserting. Hancock is informed that Colonel Colvill took a hit, so did his deputy and the Color bearer, but the colors came back up and they continued their charge! The stunned Confederates retreated, the First Minnesota captured the colors of the 20th Virginia and bought enough time for reinforcements to arrive! Hancock then reports the amazing bravery of the First Minnesota to Major General George Meade (VFW Commander Barry Henriksen). A fine performance by the First Minnesota (Gary Carlberg as Major General Hancock, Doug Urbanski as Colonel Colvill, PVT Matt Nyquist, SGT Martin Goff, CPL LeRoy Burggraff, PVT Evan Windahl, PVT Pat Chase, CPL Mike Settle, PVT Travis Ray, RSM John Taylor and CPL Dave McConnell), SGT Jimmy Johnson from the SUVCW, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Krominga and other volunteers from VFW Post 1782.
Video by Russ Windahl https://www.facebook.com/1031264336/videos/503299454908640/ Photos by VFW, George Brown, Russ Windahl and Gregory Moon. The VFW Honor Guard member in the photo is the Great-Grandson of a 1st Minnesota survivor! The VFW Commander thanked the First Minnesota and recommended we do this again at future banquets. JUN 17: Manitou Day Parade in White Bear Lake, MN The unit formed up by the GAR monument in White Bear Lake, then marched after the VFW, with the American Legion to lead the parade. The new colors looked great, and we had a good turnout of soldiers. Unit members participating were 1SG Doug Urbanski, SGT Martin Graff, CPL Mike Settle, CPL LeRoy Burggraff, Orderly SGT Mark Dittman, PVT Matt Nyquist, PVT Jackson Piper, PVT Evan Windahl and PVT Brad Scarp. Link to video by Russ Windahl https://www.facebook.com/1031264336/videos/718570539262101/ The 1st Minnesota has been requested by the White Bear Lake American Legion to participate in a special event on Memorial Day at Union Cemetery in 2023. |
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JUL 9: Pan-O-Prog Parade - in Lakeview, MN. The Lakeville Panorama of Progress organization (Pan-O-Prog) is one of our favorites as we march and fire in this one-mile parade with an "...estimated 20,000 spectators lining the entire parade route". According to the sponsor, ... our high-quality parade is regarded as one of the “very best” in Minnesota. We had 13 soldiers attend under the leadership of First Sergeant Urbanski. After marching to the starting area, then marching wearing wool in the heat, the shuttle bus was a welcome site. Photos by Gary Carlberg and Pauline Wesley. |
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Private Blake Green, Corporal Dittman, Private Dave McCollum and Sergeant Keith Kosek stacking arms.
Camp Cook Catie Jacobs in action
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Privates Matt Moon and Blake Green making minnie balls
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Private Blake Green performing "rest on arms"
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October 9 -
SUVCW Camp 56 Commander and 1st Minnesota member Doug Urbanski led the ceremony with support of Brothers Jimmy Johnson and Gary Carlberg (also a member of the 1st Minnesota). In support were two additional members of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry (Privates John Taylor and Patrick Chase), two members of the American Legion, Jody Marquardt (with cannon) and Orvis Dahlen as the Civil War bugler. A salute to "Cap" James Colehour's G-Grandson Jay Johnson for his work coordinating the ceremony with the community and for his work in the impressive "Prospect House and Civil War Museum" (www.prospecthousemuseum.org) in Battle Lake that we all visited and enjoyed. There are some rare treasures there. |
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