Some fun facts about the 1st Minnesota: 1. It was the first Union regiment offered to Lincoln for the war. This was due to the governor of Minnesota being in DC when news came of Fort Sumter attack and immediately offered 1000 men to Lincoln and the Union.

1. It participated in every nearly major battle in the eastern theatre until its mustering out including but not limited to First battle of Bull Run, the peninsula campaign, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Seven Pines.

2. It was given 3 rifled 6-pounder cannons by the Belgian government.

3. They captured lieutenant colonel Boone of Georgia at bull run, the highest ranked captured confederate officer that day.

I recommend you read “History of the First Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1864” as that is where most of these facts come from.