The Supreme Sacrifice made by the First Minnesota at the Battle of First Manassas

Captain Lewis McKune killed in action on July 21, 1861, at the Battle of First Manassas (First Bull Run), was the first officer from the State of Minnesota to make the supreme sacrifice in the Civil War.

He was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer, farmer and merchant. He was a member of the Republican Party founded on March 20, 1854, by the anti-slavery coalition of Whigs, Free-Soilers, and others who opposed slavery in the new Western territories.  He participated in the Constitutional Convention held in July 1857 at Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Captain Lewis McKune was the commanding officer of Company G, First Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Two soldiers under his command were also killed in action on July 21, 1861, at the Battle of First Manassas (First Bull Run). Private Asa Miller, the flag bearer for Company G, and a resident of Rice County and Private Merritt B. Patten a native of Ireland who settled in Steele County, Minnesota. 

Bull Run Monument dedication in June 1865

Union troops erected the Bull Run Monument to commemorate the Federal troops who were killed in action on July 21, 1861 or died of wounds. Inscription on the monument:

In Memory of the Patriots Who Fell at Bull Run
July 21, 1861
Erected June 10th 1865

First Minnesota Soldiers Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice

The following officer and soldiers in the First Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry were killed in action (KIA) on July 21, 1861, at the Battle of First Manassas (First Bull Run) or subsequently died of wounds (DOW) suffered that day.

Company A, from Saint Paul: Musician Ernest Drescher, KIA.

Company B, from Stillwater: Corporal William S. Pierson, DOW.

Company C, from Saint Paul: Sergeant Eugene Wilmer, DOW; Corporal George McMullen, KIA; Corporal Sewell N. Waterhouse, KIA; Private William C. Cunningham, DOW; Private John S. Haskell, DOW; Private Charles J. Hough, KIA; Private Austin N. Ladd, DOW; Private Daniel M. Robertson, DOW; Private Joseph H. Thompson, KIA; and Private Thomas T. Tripp, KIA.

Company D, from Minneapolis: Third Sergeant John C. Renshaw, DOW; Private Henry A. Dean, KIA; Private Franklin Devergill, KIA; and Private George McKinley, DOW.

Company E, from Saint Anthony: Corporal Albion T. Hobson, DOW; and Private James R. Moss, KIA.

Company F, from Red Wing: Corporal Amos G. Scofield, DOW; Private Joseph P. Garrison, DOW; Private Hiram I. Rush, KIA; Private James F. Sallee, DOW; Private Elijah F. Thomas, DOW; and Private James M. Underwood, KIA.

Company G, from Faribault: Captain Lewis McKune KIA from Morristown, Rice County, Minnesota; Private Asa Miller, KIA from Millersburg, Rice County, Minnesota; and Private Merritt B. Patten from Owatonna, Steel County, Minnesota.

Company H, from Hastings: Private Columbus Brock, KIA; Private William Conley, KIA; Private Sear Einson, KIA; and Private Jabez Snitsinger, KIA.

Company I, from Wabasha: Private Andrew H. Colyer, KIA; Private Patrick S. Cureneff, KIA; Private Allen H. Hancock, DOW; and Private Anton E. Schimeck, KIA.

Company K, from Winona: Sergeant Zuar E. Moore, KIA; Private Ephraim P. Burton, KIA; Private Jason Darling Durfee, DOW; Private Fritz Grimm, DOW; and Private Henry Morton, KIA.

Bull Run Monument in 2020

More Sacrifices to Be Made

The regiment replaced their losses and participated in the Battle of Seven Pines (Battle of Fair Oaks) from May 31 to June 1, 1862, where three men were killed while on picket duty at Fair Oaks, Virginia.

The next major battle for the First Minnesota was the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, along Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland where they suffered the loss of 14 members KIA or DOW.

The First Minnesota would suffer more casualties as they achieved glory at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)