• PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
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    3 days ago

    Explanation: In the US Civil War, the First Minnesota Infantry performed an extraordinary feat of discipline and resistance against the Confederate slaver forces, far superior to the much-celebrated (amongst traitorous slaver scum) Confederate Pickett’s Charge. Wiki puts the 1st Minnesota’s achievement better than I could:

    The regiment’s most famous action occurred during the second day’s fighting at Gettysburg, when Major General Winfield Scott Hancock ordered the 1st Minnesota, composed of roughly 250 men, to charge into a brigade of roughly 1,200 men belonging to James Longstreet’s corps and Richard H. Anderson’s Division. Although the regiment was outnumbered by a ratio of at least 5 to 1, charging was Hancock’s only opportunity to buy time for Union reinforcements to arrive. One survivor stated afterward that he expected the advance to result in “death or wounds to us all”.[9] The regiment immediately obeyed the order and Hancock was reportedly amazed at the unit discipline, valor, and the tremendous casualties taken in carrying out his order. This action blunted the Confederate attack and helped preserve the Union’s precarious position on Cemetery Ridge at the end of the second day of the battle.

    Their charge bought the Union the time it needed for reinforcements to be brought up. During the charge, 215 of the 262 who made the charge became casualties within five minutes (47 killed, 121 wounded, 90 missing). That included the unit commander, Col. William Colvill, and all but three of his captains.

    The 1st Minnesota’s flag lost five flag bearers, each man dropping his weapon to carry it on. The 47 survivors rallied back to General Hancock under the command of their senior surviving officer, Captain Nathan S. Messick. The 82% casualty rate stands as the second largest loss by any surviving U.S military unit in a single day’s engagement. The unit’s colors are displayed in the rotunda of the Minnesota Capitol for public appreciation.[14]

    • Canonical_Warlock@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 days ago

      Don’t forget the 28th Virginia battle flag they captured which to this day the MN historical society refuses to return to Vriginia. I can’t remember the exact wording but last time Virginia asked for it back the MN historical society responded something along the lines of, “This flag represents Minnesotas history of fighting for its country and the freedom of all people. What part of Virginias history does it represent?”

      • Glytch@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        This is the part of the story that makes me the most proud to be a Minnesotan. Not only did we capture their symbol of hate, we will not give it back no matter how many times they ask.

    • HertzDentalBar
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      2 days ago

      It’s almost as if fighting for freedom gives humans a reason to go hard.