By Erik Hare
One hundred and fifty years ago today, May 11, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state.
The bill was finally ratified by Congress on this day after months of wrangling. This was a perilous time for the union, and the careful balance between free and slave states had to be maintained. In just a few short years, however, that thin veneer of agreement would be shattered and Minnesota, a new state, would find that statehood came at a price. It was a price they would gladly pay to be part of the great Union they struggled to be part of.
Just three years later, in 1861, Fort Sumter was fired on and the Civil War began. Governor Alexander Ramsey (pictured) was in Washington at the time, and was the first Governor to volunteer troops to President Lincoln. The first Regiment of all the grand army of the republic was raised from this promise, the 1st Minnesota Regiement.
They found themselves stationed in Pennsylvania when Gen. Robert E. Lee decided to take the war to the North and invade across the Mason-Dixon line. On the second day of that conflict, on July 2nd, 1863, Lee was about to break through the Union ranks. General Hancock, in charge of the field, realized that he needed just five minutes to reorganize his troops to form a line that could repulse the rebels. Looking around, he saw the 1st Minnesota was there to do the job. He ordered them to counter-charge against Lee’s men and give them the needed time.
The 1st Minnesota did not question the order, and immediately did as they were told. Five times their flag fell, but each time they raised it back up. In the end, they suffered the death and wounding of 215 of their men, an 82% casualty rate. But they held the line for fifteen minutes, ten more than the Union line needed. Their action, at great cost, saved the Battle of Gettysburg and in so doing saved the Union.
When it was all over, people across the United States, but especially in Minnesota, were proud of what happened that day. In this state. people talked proudly of the heroism that had kept Lee from making his invasion fruitful. More importantly, they talked of how Minnesota was the first state since the original thirteen that had proven itself worthy of admission to the Union. Statehood wasn’t just a right, it was a promise.
Since that time, many things have passed and Minnesota has made many contributions to the United States. Our first great contribution, proving that the Star of the North was worthy of addition to the constellation that makes up the canton of Old Glory remains one of our most impressive.
The flag that was carried that day at Gettysburg is in our capitol, just to the right when you enter the rotunda from the front. Time and rot have taken a toll nearly equal to the rebel guns on that day long ago, but it’s still with us. As we remember the hard people who settled this place so long ago, it’s worth remembering that there is some of this that we still carry proudly today. We once saved the Union. We earned our right to be here. Not many can claim that.