1st Bull Run ( Manassas)

There were two battles at Bull Run, The 1st battle was also the 1st major battle of the war.

Bull Run is the Union name for the battle and Manassas is the name the Confederates gave it.

The Battle while pushing the Confederates back in the beginning, ended in a major loss for the Union as it was said, the whole Union Army routed in panic.  That is not quite true!

The regiment moved on to Alexandria by way of two steamers. They boarded the Philadelphia and the Baltimore at the Navy Yard.

Wednesday, July 3rd, 1861

Monday, July 15th, 1861

Company F was told that, they were to be ready to move at any moment. They were told to carry their canteens and Haversacks with three days rations, their gun, accouterments and blankets. They were told to roll the blanket lengthwise with tied ends. They were told to carry the blanket over their left shoulder with the ends tied at the right hip. They were told to carry in the blanket roll, soap and towel &c and twenty rounds of extra cartridges. This made a total of sixty rounds per man.  They were told to leave the rest of their gear at the camp. Every man knew now, that a fight was near.

Tuesday, July 16th,1861

The march toward Bull run started. Ten men  were left at the camp from each of the companies. This included the sick.

Sunday, July  21st, 1861

The regiment  was called to a hill at Centerville.

Friday, July 19th, 1861

Companies A and B  went out on reconnaissance  and found the enemy line. The regiment reached Centerville.

The regiment was in several positions during the battle. The regiment was to support Rickett's Battery. Co. A and Co. F had been split from the rest of the regiment when Rickett's Battery passed through it. Co. F entered a wooded area where they took off their blankets and placed them in a great pile. They then moved out onto a field and started up the slop of a gentle hill ,  above the hill was another wooded area. Rickett's Battery was then to the left   and the regiment into line with Co. A and F in forward positions.

They were told to fire into the woods to check for the enemy and so, they did.  It was about that time, that a Confederate Col. came along and told them to stop. He thought that they were Confederate and were firing on Confederates. Well, the Col. was taken prisoner and he was the highest ranking prisoner of the battle taken.   There was confusion at this time and the 1st Minn had not been fired on yet. There were Confederates in the woods and they also had red shirts so a bit of who's who went on and then the Confederates knew who they were and open fired on them.

Rickett's Guns were hit by Confederate Guns  and many of their horses and men were killed.

It was said that the musket balls were fying thick as hail. The flag was riddled with holes, even a cannon ball went through it. Co. F went low to the ground and fired back at the Confederates and  could see them moving back in the woods. There were several Confederate charges repelled and a counter charge to save a attack of rickett's Battery and

regain control of the guns.

As the Confederates were redeploying for better position  and Confederate reinforcements coming into the battle, the men of Co. F had mixed thoughts but most thought they were going to win the day.  As the Confederates came on stronger, Col. Gorman was fearful of lossing the entire regiment because it was  so far forward  in the battle & Co. A and Co. F was even more so to the front. It was siad at time the fighting was to three sides at times but, Co. A and Co. F would not give way.

It was said a retreat was sounded and it was said the retreat was sounded three times before the 1st Minn. Regt. started to withdraw. It was said Lieutenant Welech  told his men to stand fast. Another  man told his own brother, he would shoot him, himself, if he turns his back to the enemy. Welech wounded refused to leave the hill  and the rest of the company fell back in good order.

Ed Welch was said to have told his men to stand fast on the call to retreat, thought dead by a wound was taken prisoner. He was released under a prisoner exchange program .  He went right back to fight in the Indian Uprising with the 3rd Minn. Vol. Inf., and was a hero in the Indian War and died healing his wounds later in the war with the 4th Minn. Vol. Inf. It was said he died of pneumonia or consumption.

George McKinley Died of mortal wounds. It was said he may have been taken to a wooded area where he died. James A. Wright said that in the short time they knew him, George taught them love and respect. He was said to have been buried there some where. His brother was looking for his grave after the war but, it was never found.

There is a Memorial Stone in the Cherry Valley Cemetery just outside Cannon Falls for George McKinley.

The Regiment was honored for their coolness on the Battlefield. Their number of dead & wounded were one of the highest  of the regiments engaged in the battle. They had proven themselves worthy in this their first battle.

The Goodhue Volunteers, Co. F - 3 Killed, 9 Wounded,  of which 3 Died of wounds & one captured.

The Regimental flag was reported to have one cannon ball, two grape shots and sixteen bullets through it's folds and one bullet in the staff.  The flag was sent back to Governor Ramsey . It was put on display to honor  how the 1st. Minn. Regt. Vol. Inf. had fought at Bull Run & was left on display to honor all other men from Minnesota that would fight for our country. It is said thatit is still on display at the Capital to this day.

Bull Run (Manassas) Battlefield 1861

Library of Congress