The First Volunteers: History of the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment, 1861-1865 (review)

98CIVILWAR HISTORY It is of note that when, in 1961, Frederick Fennell gave us that authentic reproduction of Civil War music, "The Civil War: Its Music and Its Sounds," the Confederate pieces he used were selected from the music books of the 26th North Carolina Band. Kenneth A. Bernard Boston University The First Volunteers: History of the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment , 1861-1865. By John Quinn Imholte. (Minneapolis: Ross and Haines, Inc., 1963. Pp. v, 238. $6.75.) This slim volume tells the story of one of the famous regiments of the Army of the Potomac, the 1st Minnesota. Attached to the Second Corps during most of its history, this regiment saw much action and suffered many casualties, especially in the climactic engagement at Gettysburg. It was here that the 1st Minnesota gained undying fame for its celebrated charge, late on the second day of the battle, against a vastly superior Confederate force, thereby giving Winfield S. Hancock, commanding the Second Corps, time to bring up reinforcements. But this book is more than the battle account of a regiment. The author has gone into the background of the establishment of the regiment as well as into the political story surrounding the appointment, election, and promotion of officers. In fact the nonmilitary side of the regiment's history receives more extended treatment than does the account of its battle record. This tends to slow the pace considerably, and those who are not interested in the history of Minnesota politics in the early years of the Civil War will find this part of the book somewhat tedious. The battles in which the 1st Minnesota had a really active part were First Bull Run, Fair Oaks, the Seven Days, Antietam, and Gettysburg; yet the action of a single regiment is not of sufficient significance to warrant extended comment. Thus it was with the 1st Minnesota except for its role at Gettysburg. Here the author has attempted, with apparent success, to arrive at the truth concerning the famous charge on the second day. Apparently it was not all that has been claimed for it, but it was a heroic feat nonetheless. Following Gettysburg, this sadly depleted regiment was sent to New York City to help restore order at the time of the Draft Riots. Its remaining service, until disbandment early in 1864, was uneventful. Unlike the regimental histories written by a generation of active participants, this account of the history of the 1st Minnesota is a restrained , scholarly work. The author has, it seems, consulted all available records and has presented his material without passion or prejudice, but also without color. There is a minimum of error, so far as one who is not intimately acquainted with the history of Minnesota politics can tell. One small error is the author's statement that the 6th Massachusetts had been fired on in Baltimore the week before the 1st Minnesota passed through BOOK REVIEWS99 that city on June 26, 1861. The 6th Massachusetts made its memorable trip through Baltimore on April 19. The First Volunteers should appeal especially to Minnesotans, but it also will find acceptance from the serious student of the Civil War who demands reliability and thoroughness rather than vivid battle descriptions and treatises on strategy and tactics. The book is equipped with notes, bibliography, maps, and an index as well as a complete roster of the regiment. John A. Carpenter Washington and Jefferson College Inside Lincoln's Army: The Diary of Marsena Rudolph Patrick, Provost Marshal General, Army of the Potomac. Edited by David S. Sparks. (New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1964. Pp. 536. $10.00.) Articles of War approved by King Charles I contained a phrase with which all veterans of every war will agree. "The Provost," it was stated, "... is but one man and must correct many and therefore he cannot be loved." Unloved, provosts can also be ignored; few students of our military institutions and of our civü-rnilitary relations have troubled to dip deeply into the large accumulations of provost marshal records which exist for several American wars. Adequate justification exists for bypassing provosts as sources—usually. Their duties almost never bring provosts close enough to the bestarred galaxy of...