Remembering Minnesota's role in the Civil War
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This weekend, to mark the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, several hundred reeanctors will gather at Fort Snelling in St. Paul.
But there won't be any battle — instead, they will stage a homecoming.
"This event recreates the coming home of Minnesota veterans," said Matthew Cassady, Program Specialist at Fort Snelling. "You can go to lots of battle reenactments — Gettysburg, Antietam, things like that. But no one is doing an event about coming home."
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Minnesota was the newest state in the union, having only become a state three years prior. About 24,000 Minnesota soldiers joined the war, including free black men, Native Americans and at least one woman, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.
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The events at Fort Snelling this weekend will recreate the homecoming of the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was mustered into service in 1861, and the more than 1,000 men served for four years, fighting in Tennessee, Mississippi, George and other southern states.
When the first Civil War veterans returned to Minnesota, they were not met with fanfare. Many returned with nothing and ended up living on the streets of St. Paul. Appalled at this, Minnesotans formed a committee to welcome them and "honor the men who saved the union," Cassady said.
On Saturday, reenactors will follow the actual path of returning soldiers. They will board a paddle boat in downtown St. Paul and ride down the river to Fort Snelling. At the fort, they will be greeted by hundreds of people and a brass band playing the actual songs the soldiers heard. Actors portraying the mayor of St. Paul and the governor of Minnesota will recite the historic speeches. On Sunday, they will recreate the final mustering out ceremony.
"It's the process by which they went from soldiers to civilians," Cassady said. "Turned in their equipment, turned in their flag, received their final pay and discharge papers, and then they went home."
Over 250 volunteer reenactors from around the country will participate in the festivities, which are open the public.
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