Lawmakers propose '1st Minnesota Day' to honor legacy of Gettysburg heroes

A group of Minnesotans who played a key role in the Civil War at the expense of a tremendous loss of life could be honored annually.

The legacy of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment is the focus of HF2063.

Sponsored by Rep. Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township), it would require July 2 of each year to be designated as “1st Minnesota Day” to honor the 262 men, 215 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

Orally amended, the bill was held over Tuesday by the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee for future consideration.

“The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry saved the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg,” Schultz said. “We have an opportunity to support that legacy.”

A replica of the unit’s flag would be flown at the State Capitol annually on July 2, a gubernatorial proclamation would be issued, and schools would be encouraged to offer instruction on the regiment’s role during the Civil War.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the culminating event of the Civil War, said Rep. Bjorn Olson (R-Fairmont). “What the First Minnesota did on the second day of battle was what saved the United States during that battle. I don’t think you can press upon that enough.”

Per the Minnesota Historical Society, “First Minnesota helped General Winfield S. Hancock hold the Union line against advancing Confederate soldiers. Outnumbered three or four to one, the First Minnesota fought the Confederates at close range over 300 yards of open ground near Cemetery Ridge. The next day, the First Minnesota contributed to the repulse of Pickett's Charge, which effectively ended the Battle of Gettysburg and served as a turning point in the war.” 

David Kelliher, vice president of public policy and government relations for the Minnesota Historical Society, testifies March 18 in support of HF2063. Sponsored by Rep. Isaac Schultz, right, the bill would establish July 2 as “1st Minnesota Day.” (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

“Had the Union not plugged the line with the First Minnesota, had 262 men not decided to charge into 1,200 Alabamans to apply five more minutes, had that not happened there is a great chance the Confederacy would have broken the line there on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg and destroyed at least half of the Union Army,” Olson said.

Just 47 First Minnesota men (17%) survived. There is only one unit in American history that had a higher percentage of casualties in one day.

“Their sacrifice, their willingness to go forth and save the Union knowing what was going to happen … they fixed their bayonets, they charged, and they saved the state of Minnesota, they saved the Union, and they deserve our honor and recognition,” Olson said.