Exploring Exploring Minnesota Minnesota

Chapter 8: The Civil WarChapter 8: The Civil War

IntroductionIntroduction On July 4On July 4thth, 1858 the 32, 1858 the 32ndnd star was added to star was added to

the blue field of the U.S. Flag – MNthe blue field of the U.S. Flag – MN By 1858, many Americans had come to By 1858, many Americans had come to

think of their nation as two separate parts – think of their nation as two separate parts – the North and the South.the North and the South.

Many similarities between the two, but also Many similarities between the two, but also many differences.many differences. North more urban with large factories, South North more urban with large factories, South

was opposite – Southern economy depended on was opposite – Southern economy depended on the plantation and cash crops – sugar, tobacco, the plantation and cash crops – sugar, tobacco, cottoncotton

Major difference, though, was Slavery.Major difference, though, was Slavery.

Land of the Free?Land of the Free?

Division began over 60 years earlier. Division began over 60 years earlier. Prior to that, both Northerners and Prior to that, both Northerners and Southerners owned slaves. But as Southerners owned slaves. But as people in the North began to see people in the North began to see slavery as morally wrong, northern slavery as morally wrong, northern states began to abolish slavery. states began to abolish slavery.

Land of the Free?Land of the Free?

In the south, farmers depended on In the south, farmers depended on slavery for cheap labor. slavery for cheap labor.

Cotton led to a resurgence in slavery. Cotton led to a resurgence in slavery. What invention led to this? Who What invention led to this? Who invented it? -- Extra Credit!!!!invented it? -- Extra Credit!!!!

Southern plantation owners now Southern plantation owners now depended more on slaves than ever depended more on slaves than ever before to pick and process the before to pick and process the cotton.cotton.

Land of the Free?Land of the Free? Many Northerners DID support slavery in the in Many Northerners DID support slavery in the in

the sense that they did not think that the south the sense that they did not think that the south should have to abolish it and that runaway slaves should have to abolish it and that runaway slaves should be returned to their “rightful” owners.should be returned to their “rightful” owners.

Most Northerners did agree that they did not Most Northerners did agree that they did not want slavery to be spread into the west as new want slavery to be spread into the west as new states were formed. White southerners did. states were formed. White southerners did.

Most Minnesotan’s had mixed feelings as well, Most Minnesotan’s had mixed feelings as well, until 1860 that is.until 1860 that is.

Freedom for Eliza Freedom for Eliza WinstonWinston

Eliza Winston was a slave who arrived in Eliza Winston was a slave who arrived in St. Paul in the summer of 1860 with the St. Paul in the summer of 1860 with the Richard Christmas family.Richard Christmas family.

Her duties were to care for the family Her duties were to care for the family baby and for sickly Mrs. Mary Christmas.baby and for sickly Mrs. Mary Christmas.

She knew she was in a free state and She knew she was in a free state and could walk away from her master. But…could walk away from her master. But…

Changed when she met Emily and Ralph Changed when she met Emily and Ralph Grey. Free African American friends of Grey. Free African American friends of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Freedom for Eliza WilsonFreedom for Eliza Wilson The Greys wanted to help Eliza become The Greys wanted to help Eliza become

free. A judge agreed to hear the case and free. A judge agreed to hear the case and sent officials to take Eliza into custody. sent officials to take Eliza into custody.

Abolitionists were excited as they felt the Abolitionists were excited as they felt the law was being enforced.law was being enforced.

Some, however, thought that Eliza had Some, however, thought that Eliza had been illegally kidnapped and were afraid been illegally kidnapped and were afraid that publicity could drive away Southern that publicity could drive away Southern visitors who spent good money in the visitors who spent good money in the north (tourists?).north (tourists?).

See page 109.See page 109.

See Dred and Harriet Scott See Dred and Harriet Scott on page 110on page 110

Home of the BraveHome of the Brave

By the fall of 1860, many Minnesotans By the fall of 1860, many Minnesotans were turning their attention to politics were turning their attention to politics in joining with other voters in other in joining with other voters in other Northern states to help elect Abraham Northern states to help elect Abraham Lincoln as President of the United Lincoln as President of the United States. States.

Southerners thought Lincoln’s election Southerners thought Lincoln’s election marked the end of the Southern way of marked the end of the Southern way of life and responded by seceding and life and responded by seceding and forming the Confederate States of forming the Confederate States of America.America.

Home of the BraveHome of the Brave Lincoln responded by saying that he way not Lincoln responded by saying that he way not

allow the United States to be split in two.allow the United States to be split in two. By the spring of 1861, the North and the By the spring of 1861, the North and the

South (Union and Confederacy) were at war. South (Union and Confederacy) were at war. Both sides immediately began to put Both sides immediately began to put

together armies with each state expected to together armies with each state expected to contribute soldiers. contribute soldiers.

MN’s first contribution was a volunteer MN’s first contribution was a volunteer regiment of 1,009 men. They trained at Fort regiment of 1,009 men. They trained at Fort Snelling and were known as the First Snelling and were known as the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Charlie Goddard Goes to Charlie Goddard Goes to WarWar

Charlie Goddard from Winona was Charlie Goddard from Winona was 15 years old when the call came out 15 years old when the call came out for volunteers. He enlisted – lied for volunteers. He enlisted – lied about his age, had to be 18.about his age, had to be 18.

Went to Fort Snelling and trained. Went to Fort Snelling and trained. On June 22On June 22,, 1861, the First 1861, the First Minnesota Regiment left Fort Minnesota Regiment left Fort Snelling and headed for Washington Snelling and headed for Washington D.C. Goddard has just turned 16.D.C. Goddard has just turned 16.

Charlie Goddard Goes to Charlie Goddard Goes to WarWar

Wrote to his mother as soon as he Wrote to his mother as soon as he reached Washington. reached Washington.

Regiment went to the first major Regiment went to the first major battle, the first Battle of Bull Run. battle, the first Battle of Bull Run. Charley had to stay behind. Charley had to stay behind. Minnesota regiment sufffered more Minnesota regiment sufffered more losses than any other Union losses than any other Union regiment. regiment.

Charlie Goddard Goes to Charlie Goddard Goes to WarWar

The next fall, Charley was 17.The next fall, Charley was 17. The Confederate Army invaded the The Confederate Army invaded the

North. The two sides met near North. The two sides met near Antietam Creek in Maryland on Antietam Creek in Maryland on September 17, 1862. The bloodiest September 17, 1862. The bloodiest day in American history with 26,000 day in American history with 26,000 men killed or wounded. Charley men killed or wounded. Charley survived but many of his friends did survived but many of his friends did not. not.

Charley Goddard Goes to Charley Goddard Goes to WarWar

Charley again witnessed the horrors Charley again witnessed the horrors of war at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania of war at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during July 1-3 of 1863. during July 1-3 of 1863.

The First Minnesota Regiment The First Minnesota Regiment played a crucial role in this battle. played a crucial role in this battle. See page 113. See page 113.

160 Minnesotans were killed or 160 Minnesotans were killed or wounded on the 2wounded on the 2ndnd day, another 50 day, another 50 on the 3on the 3rdrd. .

The First MinnesotaThe First Minnesotaby Don Troiani by Don Troiani

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania -- July 2, 1863 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania -- July 2, 1863

Among the many militia regiments that responded to President Lincoln's call for Among the many militia regiments that responded to President Lincoln's call for troops in April 1861 was the First Minnesota Infantry. As the First Union regiment troops in April 1861 was the First Minnesota Infantry. As the First Union regiment to volunteer for three years of service, the First Minnesota fought at the battles of to volunteer for three years of service, the First Minnesota fought at the battles of Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It was, however, during the Battle of Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It was, however, during the Battle of Gettysburg that the First Minnesota played a significant role in American military Gettysburg that the First Minnesota played a significant role in American military history. On the morning of July 2, 1863, the First Minnesota, along with the other history. On the morning of July 2, 1863, the First Minnesota, along with the other units of the II Corps, took its position in the center of the Union line on Cemetery units of the II Corps, took its position in the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Late in the day, the Union III Corps, under heavy attack by the Confederate I Ridge. Late in the day, the Union III Corps, under heavy attack by the Confederate I Corps, collapsed creating a dangerous gap in the Union line. The advancing Corps, collapsed creating a dangerous gap in the Union line. The advancing Confederate brigades were in position to breakthrough and then envelope the Union Confederate brigades were in position to breakthrough and then envelope the Union forces. At that critical moment, the First Minnesota was ordered to attack. forces. At that critical moment, the First Minnesota was ordered to attack. Advancing at double time, the Minnesotans charged into the leading Confederate Advancing at double time, the Minnesotans charged into the leading Confederate brigade with unbounded fury. Fighting against overwhelming odds, the heroic brigade with unbounded fury. Fighting against overwhelming odds, the heroic Minnesotans gained the time necessary for the Union line to reform. But the cost Minnesotans gained the time necessary for the Union line to reform. But the cost was great. Of the 262 members of the regiment present for duty that morning, only was great. Of the 262 members of the regiment present for duty that morning, only 47 answered the roll that evening. The regiment incurred the highest casualty rate 47 answered the roll that evening. The regiment incurred the highest casualty rate of any unit in the Civil War. The gallant heritage of the First Minnesota is carried on of any unit in the Civil War. The gallant heritage of the First Minnesota is carried on by the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 135th Infantry, Minnesota Army National Guard. by the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 135th Infantry, Minnesota Army National Guard.

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Charley Goddard Goes to Charley Goddard Goes to WarWar

Charley recovered from his wounds and Charley recovered from his wounds and returned to his company to fight more battles.returned to his company to fight more battles.

Returned to Winona, Minnesota in February Returned to Winona, Minnesota in February 1864 where he died four years later after illness 1864 where he died four years later after illness at age 23.at age 23.

The First Minnesota Regiment was one of 22 The First Minnesota Regiment was one of 22 MN units that served during the four years of MN units that served during the four years of the Civil War. In all about 25,000 men of all the Civil War. In all about 25,000 men of all backgrounds. More than 600 hundred were backgrounds. More than 600 hundred were killed in battle. More than 1800 died in killed in battle. More than 1800 died in crowded army and prison camps due to disease. crowded army and prison camps due to disease.

Land of the FreeLand of the Free

To most Minnesotans the war was a To most Minnesotans the war was a fight to preserve the Union. fight to preserve the Union. However, many began to see until However, many began to see until reason for the conflict – slavery.reason for the conflict – slavery.

Emancipation Proclamation by Emancipation Proclamation by Lincoln on January 1, 1863 declared Lincoln on January 1, 1863 declared that, if the North won, all slaves that, if the North won, all slaves would be free. would be free.

See page 114See page 114

Journey to FreedomJourney to Freedom

See Robert Hickman on page 114See Robert Hickman on page 114 In May of 1863, two steamboats In May of 1863, two steamboats

arrived in St. Paul carrying about arrived in St. Paul carrying about 300 African Americans. 300 African Americans.

People reacted differently to this, People reacted differently to this, see page 115. see page 115.

Journey to FreedomJourney to Freedom

The North finally defeated the South The North finally defeated the South in 1865. in 1865.

During the war Minnesota saw many During the war Minnesota saw many positives but all was not well. See positives but all was not well. See page 115. page 115.