5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company D

From the Lieutenant

 

 

Greetings and welcome to Company D! I am Daniel Sauerwein, Lt. and current President of the Company. I hope you will consider enlisting in our Company to serve the glorious cause of the Union and to have a great time educating the public about Civil War history.

 

I live in Grand Forks, ND and have been active in reenacting and living history since May 2010, when I first fell in with 1st South Carolina, Co. H, a Confederate unit whose members mainly lived in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. That summer, I also found Company D and became fast friends with its members as well and participated where able with them as well. Being involved in this hobby fulfilled a childhood dream to do so since visiting reenactment events in my hometown of Jerseyville, IL and other places since the age of eight.

 

I have participated in dozens of events over the years, mostly living history displays for local museums, schools, and libraries, but I have also participated in battle reenactments as well, including events at Nashua, Iowa, Pipestone, Minnesota, and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri.

 

My main impression is that of a basic Infantry soldier in the Union army, though I am now developing my officer's impression per my duties as Lieutenant of the Company. My areas of expertise are soldier training and camp life, though I also provide talks on other areas as needed.

 

I am a historian by training and profession, having a BA and MA degree in History from Illinois College and the University of North Dakota respectively. I am completing a Ph.D. in History at UND as well. I grew up in a military family, with both my parents serving in the Army, my dad making a 24-year career of it, so I moved around as a youngster before settling in Jerseyville upon his retirement.

 

I also have a connection to the Civil War, as two of my great-great-great grandfathers served in the Union army, as well as two other potential Civil War veteran ancestors that I am currently tracking down. I am a member of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and its military component Sons of Veterans Reserve.

 

I hope you will come and visit us at one of our events, or get in touch with us and potentially join our ranks.