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8th
Minnesota Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Eighth Infantry. — Col., Minor T. Thomas; Lieut. -Col., Henry C.
Rogers; Majs., George A. Camp, Edwin A. Folsom. This regiment was organized in the summer
and fall of 1862 and was mustered in by companies. It was sent to the vicinity of the
Indian raids, with headquarters at Fort Ripley. Co. A was sent to Anoka and Princeton and
E to Monticello, both being on duty at the Chippewa agency in December. Headquarters were
established at St. Cloud in the spring of 1863, but a small garrison was left at Fort
Ripley, under Lieut. -Col. Rogers and Co. F was detached to Princeton and Sunrise, the
remainder of the regiment moving to the Sioux frontier. Co. A was stationed at Kingston
and Manannah, E at Paynesville, B at Sauk Center, D at Pomme de Terre, K at Alexandria, C,
G and H at Fort Abercrombie under Maj. Camp, and they were detailed in small squads for
patrolling the frontier. They were in many slight skirmishes with the Indians, losing a
number of men at Pomme de Terre, Kandiyohi Lake, Paynesville and other points. As mounted
infantry the regiment joined Sully's expedition against the Sioux in May, 1864, the
several companies coming together at Paynesville for the first time. The Indians had been
driven west of the Missouri the previous summer and the expedition started June 5, joined
Gen. Sully's command about July 1, crossed the river July 9, was in the battle of Killdeer
mountain, where the Indians were defeated and driven into the mountains. Cos. E, F, H and
I followed them through the ravines and drove them from the hills. They then returned to
the supply train on Heart river and moved at once on the Bad Lands, which were reached
Aug. 5. On the 8th they were attacked just at the edge of the plain by 5,000 Indians, who
were driven for 12 miles, with a loss in killed and wounded of nearly 1,000, the troops
losing about 100, only 9 of whom were killed. This battle was called
"Waps-Chon-choka" by the Indians. The troops reached the Yellowstone on the 12th
and Fort Union on the 18th, turned towards home in September, when 20 men from each
company were detailed to go to the relief of Capt. Fisk, who with a party of emigrants,
was surrounded by Indians. This was accomplished quickly, the regiment reached Fort
Snelling Oct. 15, and left the state Oct. 26 for Murfreesboro, Tenn., where it was joined
by those who had been left in Dakota. It assisted in driving the enemy away from the
blockhouse at Overall's creek, and in a reconnaissance a few days later was given the
front, its reputation as an "Indian" regiment having preceded it. It E
anticipated in the charge on the Wilkinson pike that routed the enemy, but lost 90 in
killed and wounded in 30 minutes. It was ordered to Columbia and assigned to the 3d
brigade, 1st division, 23d corps, and followed Hood to the Tennessee river. It was then
ordered to North Carolina and reached New Berne early in March, 1865. It participated in
the battle of Kinston, where Bragg's force was repeatedly repulsed, occupied Goldsboro,
March 22, joining Sherman's forces at that point. It then did provost guard duty at
Raleigh until May 12, when it moved to Charlotte, from which point it was ordered home and
was mustered out July 11, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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