Civil (War) Disagreement
I was most interested in reading the article titled "Birthstate" by retired Col. Leonid E. Kondratiuk, which appeared in the November 2007 NATIONAL GUARD magazine.
The paragraphs on page 27 stated: "On April 15, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called on the states to provide 75,000 militiamen for immediate service after the surrender of Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
"Within 48 hours of receiving a telegram from Washington, Gov. John Andrew mobilized and deployed the 3rd, 4th and 6th Regiments, making Massachusetts the first state to send militia units to serve in the Civil War."
Although Minnesota was not the first to mobilize and deploy, it was the first state to tender militia to serve in the Civil War.
It happened that Minnesota Gov. Alexander Ramsey was in Washington, D.C., April 14, 1861, when Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers. Ramsey went to the office of Secretary of War Simon Cameron early the next day and said, "My purpose is simply to tender 1,000 Minnesota men to defend the government."
"Sit down," said the secretary, "and write the tender you have made as I am now on my way to the president's mansion."
Ramsey did as directed. The tender was accepted. Ramsey telegraphed Lt. Gov. Ignatius Donnelly, advising him of the offer and its acceptance. He requested an immediate call for volunteers.
The call was issued April 16 for one Minnesota regiment of infantry consisting of 10 companies. That would be the same date on which Andrew mobilized the Massachusetts regiments. However, Ramsey's tender preceded the Massachusetts action.
© 2008 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Source: National Guard
