Mark W. Delahay to Abraham Lincoln, May 13, 1860

Tremont House,

Gage, Bro. & Drake, Proprietors

Chicago, 10 P M May 13^th 1860

Hon A Lincoln

My Dear Sir

Since your Springfield friends have been fairly located matters have been looking up. I have taken to their quarters a number of the Iowa Delegates, some of the Minnesota and all the Kansas. I have taken “Cottenwood” into my Room, he is sound. Ross & Proctor of Kansas I think can be managed their prefference is Chase. But even with the Seward Delegates you are their 2nd Choice – Greely is here as a Proxie for Origon, and is telling a Crowd now around him that NY can be carried for Bates I think he is Calculated rather to injure Seward – Some of the N. J. men talk very well as I just learned from Col Ross – and so do some of the Mass men – they say they are for a success – I have induced the Penna Delegates to stop talking about their man as an ultum attim. They have mooted one thing, that would Kill them off and I have admonished them to abandon it, which was to call Ills Ind Penna & N. J. Delegates together to harmonize between you & Cameron, such a move would appear like a “Slate” and Seward is too potent here to attempt such a meeting, his friends would probably Slate us, if it were done – I have been up late & Early and am perfectly cool & hopeful –

Delahay

SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: September 4, 1862

The enemy's loss in the series of battles, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, is estimated at 30,000. Where is the braggart Pope now? Disgraced eternally, deprived of his command by his own government, and sent to Minnesota to fight the Indians! Savage in his nature, he is only fit to fight with savages!

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 151-2

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Friday, January 15, 1864

Camp and picket duty are becoming very light as compared to one month ago. Some of the regiments sent to Minnesota and western Iowa to drive back the Indians, are returning to camp. It is reported that the Sixteenth Army Corps will soon return from Chattanooga. We hear also that General Sherman will command an expedition from Vicksburg across the state to Meridian, Mississippi.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 161

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Edwin M. Stanton, September 8, 1862 – 12:30 p.m.

DES MOINES, September 8, 1862 – 12.30 p.m.

Hon. E. M. STANTON:

I have reliable information that Yankton Indians on our western border, north of the Missouri River, have joined with the hostile Indians in Minnesota, and threaten our whole northwestern frontier. The settlers are flying by hundreds. I have ordered out 500 mounted men. We lack arms and equipments, and must have them. I beg you will order General Harney to Sioux City to take command and put down this outbreak. There is a regiment of infantry at this place armed and equipped for United States service, except tents. They had better be sent to the border to operate there under Harney, but must have tents. The danger is imminent, and nothing but prompt action can stop the terrible massacre. General Harney is just the man we need for this service. Another regiment of infantry is organizing at Council Bluffs. This regiment could be mounted and armed at once; it would be better than to send the infantry. Something must be done at once.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD,

Governor.

SOURCES: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 172-3; 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. 620

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

Proclamation of Ignatius Donnelly, Governor ad interim of Minnesota, April 16, 1861

STATE OF MINNESOTA.

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

whereas, The Government of the United States in the due enforcement of the laws has for several months past been resisted by armed organizations of citizens in several of the Southern States, who, precipitating the country into revolution, have seized upon and confiscated the property of the nation to the amount of many millions of dollars, have taken possession of its forts and arsenals, have fired upon its flag, and at last, consummating their treason, have under circumstances of peculiar indignity and humiliation assaulted and captured a Federal fort, occupied by Federal troops; and,

Whereas, All these outrages it is evident are to be followed by an attempt to seize upon the national capital and the offices and archives of the government; and,

Whereas, The President of the United States recurring in this extremity to the only resource left him — the patriotism of a people, who through three great wars, and all the changes of eighty-five years have ever proved true to the cause of law, order and free institutions — has issued a requisition to the governors of the several states for troops to support the government .

Now Therefore, In pursuance of the law and of the requisition of the President of the United States, I do hereby give notice that volunteers will be received at the city of St. Paul for one regiment of infantry, composed of ten companies, each of sixty-four privates, one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals and one bugler. The volunteer companies already organized, upon complying with the foregoing requirements as to numbers and officers, will be entitled to be first received. The term of service will be three months, unless sooner discharged. Volunteers will report themselves to the adjutant general at St. Paul, by whom orders will at once be issued, giving all the necessary details as to enrollment and organization.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the state at St. Paul, this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

[seal.]                                                                                                                     Ignatius Donnelly,

By the Governor.                                                                                               Governor ad interim

J. H. Baker,

Secretary of State.

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. 3