Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, September 29, 1862

I wrote to Mr. Eno and copied dispatches for Gov. Ramsey. Indian attack again. Frederick Blazier wounded in the leg. Trouble with Third regiment about leaving.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 6

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Sunday, September 14, 1862

Started in rain, 14 miles to St. Cloud and put up for the night. Trouble with Third about relieving guards. Gov. Ramsey here. Cannon arrived—9-pounder. Spent the evening at Ball's. Fort built in five days to hold 500 men, 100 feet in diameter.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Governor Alexander Ramsey to William H. Acker, April 14, 1861

washington, April 14, 1861.

Wm. H. Acker, Adjutant General Minnesota,

Sir: In the excitement which the attack and reduction of Fort Sumter occasioned here and elsewhere in the East, the states all around made a tender of generous support to the government, and aware that the patriotic people of Minnesota would be offended if there were any delay on my part in doing the same on their behalf, I at once hastened to the War Office and addressed the foregoing communication to General Cameron. The call now issued to the states for men, does not, as you will doubtless have learned by telegraph ere this, include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or Michigan; but our contingent should be in some degree of readiness, for the call may shortly be extended to us. You had better, therefore, be on the qui vive, and I will write you again to-morrow.

If troops are asked of us, they will probably rendezvous at St. Paul, and the expense of uniforming and of transportation will be borne by the government here.

Very truly,

Alexander ramsey.

SOURCE: Minnesota. Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 1

Governor Alexander Ramsey to Simon Cameron, April 14, 1861

Washington City, April 14, 1861.

Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War,

Sir: As the executive of the State of Minnesota, I hereby tender to the government of the United States, on the part of that state, one thousand men to be ready for service so soon as the necessary information can be communicated to the people there. As the legislature is not in session, and will not be, unless specially convened, before January of next year, may I ask whether you would feel justified in saying that the reasonable expenses that may be involved will be furnished by the general government in view of the facts above stated! I am pleased to say that in all this I have the advice and support of the senators from Minnesota, and know that it will be heartily and promptly responded to by the people.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

Alexander Ramsey.

SOURCE: Minnesota. Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 1

Alexander Ramsey, Governor of Minnesota, to Abraham Lincoln, November 28, 1862

Time Received 945 PM

United States Military Telegraph,

War Department

Washington, D. C., Nov 28 1862.

St Paul Nov 28 7 PM

Nothing but the Speedy execution of the tried and convicted Sioux Indians will save us here from Scenes of outrage. If you prefer it turn them over to me & I will order their Execution

Alex. Ramsay

SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress

Alexander Ramsey to Abraham Lincoln, August 26, 1862

SAINT PAUL, MINN., August 26, 1862 – 10 p.m.

President LINCOLN:

With the concurrence of Commissioner Dole I have telegraphed the Secretary of War for an extension of one month of drafting, &c. The Indian outbreak has come upon us suddenly. Half the population of the State are fugitives. It is absolutely impossible that we should proceed. The Secretary of War denies our request. I appeal to you, and ask for an immediate answer. No one not here can conceive the panic in the State.

ALEX. RAMSEY,

Governor of Minnesota.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 13 (Serial No. 19), p. 597

Abraham Lincoln to Alexander Ramsey, August 27, 1862

EXECUTIVE MANSION, August 27, 1862.

Governor RAMSEY, Saint Paul, Minn.:

Yours received. Attend to the Indians. If the draft cannot proceed of course it will not proceed. Necessity knows no law. The Government cannot extend the time.

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 13 (Serial No. 19), p. 599