First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry-Civil War: Primary Sources: Archives & Records

First Minnesota Infantry Regiment Letters and Research Files.
Photocopies and typed transcripts of letters, diaries, reminiscences, newspaper reports, biographical data, obituaries, and other material collected by Richard Moe for his Civil War history of the men of the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment, The Last Full Measure.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

Willis A. Gorman and Family Papers, 1847-1899.
Correspondence relating to Gorman's tenure as commander of the First Minnesota.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

Hamlin Family Papers, 1861-1948.
Correspondence of Philip Hamlin, corporal, sergeant and first sergeant in Company “F” of the First Minnesota Infantry. Letters cover the time from his enlistment in 1861 to a few days before his death in action at the battle of Gettysburg. The letters contain detailed descriptions of battles, terrain, and camp life.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (P1577).

Jerome Farnsworth and Family Papers, 1861-1902.
Farnsworth’s letters (1861-1863) discuss battles and skirmishes, army casualties, and family matters during his Civil War service with the First Minnesota Infantry in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Also includes letters and memorabilia of Farnsworth family members in Hennepin, Le Sueur, Traverse, and Winona counties. 
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (P513).

William Lochren and Family Papers, 1852-1925.
Includes information on Lochren's service with the First Minnesota as well as a unit history. 
MNHS call number: See the finding aids in the library (A/.L812, P169 and +54).

Edward Z. Needham Papers, 1859-1865. 
Diaries of member of Company "G".
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (M55).

Alexander Wilkin and Family Papers, 1770-1965. 
The correspondence of Wilkin, who served as Captain of Company”A,” First Minnesota Infantry from April 29, 1861 to September 18, 1861, when he was promoted to Major and transferred to the Second Minnesota.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (P1921).

Minnesota. Office of the Adjutant General.   

• • Annual and Biennial Reports, 1860-1924. 
    The reports contain detailed returns from Minnesota units in the field, including muster rolls, casualty lists, and general and specific orders. 
    MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
     
  • Civil War Muster Rolls, 1861-1865. 
    Muster-in, muster-out, and descriptive rolls for Minnesota volunteer units. Some rolls are for individuals, others are for companies or portions of companies.
    MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (Adjutant General: Civil War Regimental Muster Rolls, First Regiment).
     
  • Military service records, Civil and U. S.-Dakota wars, 1858-1925 (bulk 1861-1865).
    These records include official communications between units in the field and the Minnesota Adjutant General. They include information on casualties, resignations, appointments, and desertions, as well as action reports. 
    MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
     
  • Records of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865.
    Includes a descriptive book, morning reports, orders, a letterbook, proceedings of the regimental council, and medical records of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The descriptive book gives personal and military service data on each soldier. Morning reports provide daily statistics on the presence and absence of troops. The orders and letterbook relate to regulations, personnel assignments, troop movements, and include a few reports of court martial proceedings and of marches and battles. Proceedings of the regimental council deal with regimental finances. Also present are a register of sick and wounded soldiers and statistics on medical supplies and illnesses.
    MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
     

United States. Army. Minnesota Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1864). Regimental Records.
Regimental record books and miscellany; and records of companies B, C, D, and G. A regimental guard duty detail book (1861-1863) also contains lists of officers, a record of casualties at the battle of Antietam (1862), rosters for courts martial and boards of survey, and copies of orders received from the U.S. War Department. A letter copybook (1862-1864) contains letters written by Colonel George N. Morgan to Governor Alexander Ramsey. There are morning reports for Company B (1861-1863); orders, rosters (oversize), quartermaster’s records, and a descriptive book for Company C (1861-1863); a portion of the original muster roll of Company D (April 1861); and an officers list, data on soldiers, accounts of clothing issued, and miscellaneous papers for Company G (1861-1864). 
MNHS call number: See finding aid in library (P615 and +42). 

Records of Governor Alexander Ramsey, 1860-1863. 
Includes accounting records; records concerning both civil and military appointments; letters received; records relating to pardons and other criminal matters; and petitions. There is substantial documentation of military affairs, especially concerning Minnesota regiments in the Civil War, and the Dakota Wars of 1862-1863.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

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