2021

Private Blake Green, Corporal Dittman, Private Dave McCollum and Sergeant Keith Kosek stacking arms.

April 24, 2021: The 1st Minnesota Spring Muster at the Peterson Farm in Waconia, our first event for the the year! Getting our group re-acclimated to drill, including stacking arms, marching, and of course firing. Had a couple of new recruits, had lunch by the fire, and we enjoyed the comradery of being with friends post COVID. Photos and videos by John Phillip.   * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPt-81wjtP4
* (40) Minie Ball .575 Sizer for Civil War Rifled Musket - YouTube

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Camp Cook Catie Jacobs in action

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Privates Matt Moon and Blake Green making minnie balls

 MAY 31  Memorial Day in Woodbury. This was the first time our new colors were proudly used!

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On June 5th the 1st Minnesota, The American Legion Post 181 of Durand, and Bryce Stenzel as President Lincoln, supported the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 56. They conducted a Remembrance Ceremony for Private Moses Bashaw in Arkasas, Wisconsin. "We are here today to honor and forever mark the resting place of Private Moses Bashaw of Company G, 53rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment," said Camp Commander (and 1st Minnesota member) Doug Urbanski. Additional soldiers there were: First Sergeant Mike Settle, Corporal Leroy Burgraff, Corporal Mark Dittman, and Privates John Taylor, Dave McConnell, Madison Shaw, Dan Hayes, Matt Moon, Blake Green, and Steve Blankenberg.  A Channel 18 reporter was there, to see their video click on https://fb.watch/66i_MjsVVr/
Photos provided by Debra Fisher, Editor of Courier-Wedge

Private Blake Green performing "rest on arms"

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July 2 - Manitou Days Grande Parade, White Bear Lake

​Sergeant Urbanski led a detail of 6 soldiers and led the Manitou Day Grande Parade. While it was hot there was a slight breeze which felt good and enabled the colors to flutter in the wind so many were able to read "First Minnesota" on the flag. There was lots of applause as the First passed, many hats were removed, hands over hearts and salutes rendered to the colors. As we (1st MN, Legion and VFW) passed, the crowd stood up,  many saying thanks to the veterans, and at almost every block they broke out in a spontaneous round of applause. Well done 2nd Sergeant Urbanski, Corporal Dittman, and Privates Taylor, Hayes, Chase, Green, and Moon! Link to video:
 www.facebook.com/100028084292927/videos/pcb.842887246657411/498443991235370 Rose Dittman gave us permission to post her video and still photographer of the unit marching. Colleen Greiskalns gave us permission to post her photo of the unit marching with the flags fluttering in the wind. 

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July 10, Panorama of Progress (Pan-O-Prog) Festival Parade                                                         

First Sergeant Mike Settle led a good sized detail of 14 soldiers from the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the annual  Lakeview parade. In addition to the First Sergeant, soldiers from left to right:  Corporal Mark Dittman, Private Blake Green, Private Dave McConnell, Private Dierks, Private Matt Moon, Private Martin Goff (in rear), Private John Taylor,  Private Patrick Chase, Private Daniel Hays, Private Arn Kind, Corporal LeRoy Burggraff, Color Sergeant Gary Carlberg, and Sergeant Urbanski. To the joy of the community, they routinely stopped and fired a volley of blanks, leaving a large cloud of black powder smoke in their trail. As much as the crowd enjoyed the 1st Minnesota, it is no wonder we keep getting invited back. Photo with permission from Meg Kind.​​

July 29- August 1st 2021, Galvanized in D.T. (The Sheep Farm) reenactment at Fort Sisseton, Lake City, SD

Regimental Sergeant Major Andrew Willenbring led a contingent of Company A, 1st Minnesota reenactors the the Galvanized in D.T. reenactment. In July of 1865 the 1st U.S. Vol. Infantry Company F was stationed on at Fort Wadsworth for about a year. These southern men were POW’s that took the oath of office to join the union army (Galvanized Yankees). In addition to the Sergeant Major, First Minnesota soldiers learning and teaching Civil War history at this event were: Sergeant Keith Kosek, Corporal Mark Dittman, Tom Shaw, John Guthmann, John Taylor, Arn Kind, John Phillips, and Patrick Chase. Huzza men, huzza!
Fort Sisseton website https://www.facebook.com/events/221151485858079/?active_tab=discussion
video link: www.facebook.com/166900121/videos/pcb.509466963693195/344913857287114 courtesy of Basil Knebel.

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​September 4, 2021 - Last Soldier Dedication at Round Lake Cemetery in Shamrock, Aitkin County, Minnesota

Members of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry are pictured below performing "Rest on Arms" during the playing of Taps at the Last Soldier dedication ceremony for Private Lendall Sargent. This was the first county in Minnesota that we performed the Last Soldier dedication; we have about 87 more to go in the next couple years. The ceremony honored Pvt. Lendall Sargent of H Company, 12th Maine Volunteer Infantry. Private Sargent enlisted at age 15 in March 1865 and served until April 1866. Brothers of the SUVCW, Camp 56, from left to right, are Secretary/Treasurer Mark Campbell, SUVCW Signals Officer/1st Minnesota Corporal Mark Dittman, Privates Dan Hays and Dave McConnell from the First Minnesota, Camp Commander Doug Urbanski and Brother Jimmy Johnson. A salute to Brother Jimmy Johnson for his diligent work and research to find and validate the Last Soldier in Aitkin County. Photo credit: Leila Campbell​

September 4, 2021 Civil War Veteran headstone dedication at Pine Grove Cemetery, Palisade, Aitkin County, Minnesota

The same members of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry continued supporting the SUVCW, and conducted a Remembrance Ceremony for Private Israel Stephens (1837-1914). Private Stephens served in Independent Company B, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Battalion. He enlisted in October 1862 and mustered out in April 1864, serving his entire term of service on garrison duty in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was not recognized as a Civil War veteran at his funeral so this ceremony was long overdue. Private Stephens is an ancestor of Brother Jimmy Johnson of Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 56. ​Photo credit: Leila Campbell​

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September 11-12, Civil War Weekend, LeDuc House in Hastings, MN

First Sergeant Mike Settle led the A Company First Minnesota Infantry Regiment contingency that participated in the Civil War Weekend. The theme this year was 1861 so the NCOs wore blue and most of the enlisted soldiers wore red coats. In addition to the First Sergeant, soldiers participating included: Sergeants Urbanski and Kosek, Corporals Dittman and Burgraff, Privates John Taylor, Patrick Chase, Blake Green, Matt Moon, Connor Kussant, Dave Dierks, Miles Jewel, and Dan Hayes. Photos by permission of Michael Olson.

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September 25, Grave Rededication at Grey Cloud Island Cemetery

First Minnesota provided the honor guard for the grave rededication ceremony for 2 Civil War soldiers at the Grey Cloud Island. It was a very unique commemoration in that both soldiers were of Native American background. 
* Francis Turpin enlisted as a private in Company G, 5th Infantry Regiment Minnesota on February 24, 1862, at Fort Snelling, stating his age as 38 (1824). His Company was assigned to the Army of the Mississippi and participated in several campaigns in Mississippi and Tennessee and fought in and around Vicksburg. On February 6, 1864 he reenlisted, as did almost all of his regiment. He was discharged at Fort Snelling on September 6, 1865.
* Anthony Bush enlisted as a private in Company F, 2nd Cavalry Regiment Minnesota on December 22, 1863 in Hastings, at the age of 16, with his father's permission. His regiment was sent west to fight Indians along the Missouri River in 1864. Anthony was on detached service when his regiment went west, first at Camp Cottonwood and then at Leavenworth. When his regiment returned in October 1864, he was headquartered at Fort Snelling, and made patrols between Forts Wadsworth, Abercrombie, Ripley and Ridgely. He mustered out on December 2, 1865, at Fort Snelling.
 There was 30 plus family members who came to take part from as far away as Texas and Boston to attend this rededication ceremony. One family from North Dakota dressed in the traditional Ojibwe manner. A salute to the following soldiers: Patrick Chase, Dave McConnell, Timothy Suprenant and Kurt Klotzbuecher. Photo credit to Jerry Anderson

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.

2020  This page is under development, input from members is needed

​SEP 19:     Headstone rededication in support of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) Camp 56

Dual member Doug Urbanski (1st Minnesota Sergeant and Camp 56 Commander) served as a Lieutenant at the headstone rededication ceremony for Private Louis Londrosk (aka Londrosh) at the Lone Pine Cemetery near Sherburn. Members of the First Minnesota worked with the American Legion and Bryce O. Stenzel as President Lincoln in this event. Isaac Striemer worked with the VA to replace the aging headstone and clean up the Lone Cedar Cemetery for his Eagle Scout Project. Louis Landrosk is an ancestor of Issac. Private Louis Londrosk was in Company H, 2nd Minnesota Infantry and was one of the 15 soldiers at the "Corn Crib Fight" at Nolensville, Tennessee; he is a Medal of Honor recipient as a result of his valor in that battle. First Minnesota members attending in addition to Sergeant Urbanski: RSM Andrew Willenbring (dual member), Sergeant Mike Settle, Corporal Mark Dittman (dual member), PVT Gary Carlberg (dual member), PVT Arn Kind, PVT LeRoy Burggraff, and PVT Vince "Harley Davidson" Bergdale and PVT Pat Chase.