MINNESOTIANS AT FREDERICKSBURG.–

11. August 2008 by admin.

The following incident in the terrible battle at Fredericksburg was related by Col. Morgan: Maj.-Gen. Howard, who commanded the extreme right, ordered a strong line of pickets to be formed, as a line of battle, by Col. Morgan, in command of heavy detachments from five regiments, with the Minnesota First, as usual, on the extreme right and most exposed place. The morning dawned–the rebels opened with shot and shell, ploughing up the ground and covering the line with heaps of earth. It was a very hot place, and three of the regiments broke, and run like sheep. Gens. Howard and Sully (Sully, their old Colonel, whom they loved dearly) were watching them. “There,” said Maj.-Gen. Howard,–”there, they don’t stand fire–see them run.” “Not a bit of it,” says Gen. Sully; “my old Minnesota don’t run.” Gen. Howard fixed his glass on them.

“No–no–no, sir; they–your old regiment don’t flinch a hair–they don’t run.” Sully, raising himself up to his full height, exclaimed, in his soft language, “Who in————ever supposed they would run? They are not of the running breed.” Gen. Howard complimented them as the most reliable, the bravest regiment in the division, if not in the army.

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