1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry
The 1st Minnesota volunteer infantry was among the first regiments offered for service. As part of the Second Division, Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac, the 1st Minnesota was involved in every major battle from 1861 until early 1864. The regiment is best known for its sacrificial action on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. They were disbanded in 1864.
The 1st Minnesota is the most thoroughly researched of any of the state's Civil War units. Our research guide for the 1st Minnesota offers a listing of primary and secondary sources for researching this fabled regiment.
1st Battalion Minnesota Volunteer Infantry
This organization was made up of veterans of the 1st Regiment along with new recruits. Quickly organized in the spring of 1864, the battalion, numbering only two companies (about 200 men) was sent east in May of that year taking the place of the old 1st Minnesota in the 1st Brigade, Second Division of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac. They joined the army shortly after the battle of Cold Harbor and remained through the siege of Petersburg, Virginia and the surrender of Lee's Army at Appomattox. In the spring of 1865 seven more companies were added making it almost a full regiment. The organization was mustered out at Fort Snelling July 15, 1865.
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