Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers

1st Brigade, 2nd Division

— 2nd Corps —

Front of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

1. Front of Monument

At the steps of each face of the monument are the raised letters "Minnesota."

Inscription.

First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division. (Front):First Regiment Minnesota Vol's 1st Brigade 2nd Div 2nd Corps April 29 1861 - May 4 1864. Bull Run, Balls Bluff, Berryville, Yorktown, West Point, Hanover Court House, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill, 2nd Malvern Hill, Vienna, South Mountain, Antietam, Charlestown, Ashby's Gap, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Haymarket, Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristow Station, Mine Run and numerous skirmishes, Erected by The State of Minnesota A.D. 1893, (Right): On the afternoon of July 2, 1863 Sickles Third Corps having advanced from this line to the Emmitsburg Road eight companies of the First Minnesota Regiment numbering 262 men were sent to this place to support a battery upon Sickles repulse. As his men were passing here in confused retreat two Confederate brigades in pursuit to gain time to bring up reserves and save this position Gen Hancock in person ordered the eight companies to charge the rapidly advancing enemy. The order was instantly repeated by Col. Wm. Colvill and the charge as instantly made down the slope at full speed through the concentrated fire of the two brigades. Breaking with the bayonet the enemy's front line as it was crossing the small brook in the low ground there. The remnant of the eight companies nearly surrounded by the enemy held its entire force at bay for a considerable time and till it retired on the approach of the reserve. The charge successfully accomplished its object. It saved this position and probably the battlefield. The loss of the eight companies in the charge was 215 killed and wounded. More than 83 percent. 47 men were still in line and no man missing. In self-sacrificing desperate valor this charge has no parallel in any war. Among the severely wounded were Col. Wm. Colvill, Lt. Co.. Chas. P. Adams and Maj. Mark W. Downie. Among the killed Capt. Joseph Periam, Capt. Louis Mullen and Lt. Waldo Farrar. The next day the regiment participated in repelling Pickett's Charge losing 17 more men killed and wounded., See smaller monument 1/4 of a mile to the right.

(Front):First Regiment
Minnesota Vol's
1st Brigade 2nd Div 2nd Corps
April 29 1861 - May 4 1864Bull Run, Balls Bluff, Berryville, Yorktown, West Point, Hanover Court House, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill, 2nd Malvern Hill, Vienna, South Mountain, Antietam, Charlestown, Ashby's Gap, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Haymarket, Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristow Station, Mine Run and numerous skirmishes

Erected by The State of Minnesota A.D. 1893

(Right):
On the afternoon of July 2, 1863 Sickles Third Corps having advanced from this line to the Emmitsburg Road eight companies of the First Minnesota Regiment numbering 262 men were sent to this place to support a battery upon Sickles repulse. As his men were passing here in confused retreat two Confederate brigades in pursuit to gain time to bring up reserves and save this position Gen Hancock in person ordered the eight companies to charge the rapidly advancing enemy. The order was instantly repeated by Col. Wm. Colvill and the charge as instantly made down the slope at full speed through the concentrated fire of the two brigades. Breaking with the bayonet the enemy's front line as it was crossing the small brook in the low ground there. The remnant of the eight companies nearly surrounded

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by the enemy held its entire force at bay for a considerable time and till it retired on the approach of the reserve. The charge successfully accomplished its object. It saved this position and probably the battlefield. The loss of the eight companies in the charge was 215 killed and wounded. More than 83 percent. 47 men were still in line and no man missing. In self-sacrificing desperate valor this charge has no parallel in any war. Among the severely wounded were Col. Wm. Colvill, Lt. Co.. Chas. P. Adams and Maj. Mark W. Downie. Among the killed Capt. Joseph Periam, Capt. Louis Mullen and Lt. Waldo Farrar. The next day the regiment participated in repelling Pickett's Charge losing 17 more men killed and wounded.

See smaller monument 1/4 of a mile to the right.

Erected 1893 by State of Minnesota.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1861.

Location. 39° 48.396′ N, 77° 14.102′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial is at the intersection of Hancock Avenue and Humphreys Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Hancock Avenue. Located south of the Pennsylvania Memorial in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Right Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

2. Right Side of Monument

within walking distance of this marker. That Order Meant Death (a few steps from this marker); 12th Massachusetts (a few steps from this marker); 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers Position (a few steps from this marker); 90th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Batteries C & F, Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery E, 5th Massachusetts Light Artillery (about 300 feet away); Pennsylvania Remembers (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. 1st Minnesota at Gettysburg.

State Seal on Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

3. State Seal on Back of Monument

The state seal is incorporated into the display on the back of the monument. Muskets with bayonets, swords, and flags complete the arrangement.

Relief on the Left Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

4. Relief on the Left Side

Charging Infantryman image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

5. Charging Infantryman

The statue at the top of the monument is shown charging, with bayonet fixed, into the field where the regiment charged on July 2.

First Minnesota Volunteers Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

6. First Minnesota Volunteers Monument

With the Pennsylvania Memorial in the background.

1st Minnesota Marker and Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

7. 1st Minnesota Marker and Monument

First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers Marker looking toward town at sunset image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, May 4, 2014

8. First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers Marker looking toward town at sunset

View from First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, May 4, 2014

9. View from First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers Marker

Sacrifice of the 1st Minnesota Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

10. Sacrifice of the 1st Minnesota Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2009. This page has been viewed 1,600 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on August 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on February 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on May 5, 2014, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 10. submitted on February 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.