Remembering the Past, Educating the Future
Here are some images of our previous events.
Historical Impressions in the Pictures
Infantry
Infantry were the backbone of theArmy. At the war's advent, the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment was armed with 1841 Mississippi rifles in .58 caliber and 1842 Springfield Rifle Muskets in .69 caliber. These arms were drawn from the federal arsenal because they had been replaced by Springfield rifle muskets in .58 caliber. The 5th used these arms until the fall of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg, reports indicate that the entire regiment was rearmed with .58 caliber rifle muskets. It may be possible that General Grant reequipped the unit with arms captured from the Confederate defenders in Vicksburg.
The 5th Minnesota was frequently used as light infantry, which means that they formed a line of battle with about five paces between each man. They were also used as heavy infantry. Heavy infantry soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder in line of battle. These massed men would deliver massed fire into enemy targets. Soldier often spoke about the "sheets of lead" which would cut through each other's lines.
Artillery
Although we are an infantry unit, we have a cannon and we sometimes help our artillery friends who also have cannons. Pictured below is our friends' original Ellsworth Rifle. Other friends have original and reproduction Civil War artillery pieces including a 12 pound Napoleon, 12 pound Mountain Howitzers, and Coehorn Mortars.
In our Unit History section you will see that the 5th Minnesota Co. D used Mountain Howitzers during their defense of Ft. Abercrombie in the fall of 1862. Because of this interesting bit of history, we are grateful for the experience to be gun crew in the artillery.
Some historians have argued that Civil War artillery inflicted more casualties than anything else.
Medical
We have several members in the company that portray medical impressions. We have a surgeon's assistant, a hopspital stewart, an ambulance corps driver, and a nurse. To be a nurse, men and women wear Civil War era civilian clothing. Medical stuarts and Ambulance Corps drivers wear sky blue trousers and a blue sack coat or frock coat. Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons wear officer's uniforms.
Sisters of Charity
Over 600 sisters volunteered to work as nurses during the conflict.
Civilian
Some of our members dress as civilians. Just as today, there were different social classes and professions. If a military impression isn't your thing, easy living in camp as a civilian might do the trick.
Civilian impressions add a special flavor to the unit, and come in handy at special events.
Civilian contributions to the war effort was significant for both Union and Confederate forces. Men often lobbied for funding to buy much needed supplies. Women frequently worked as nurses, volunteered in the Christian Commission, or labored to produce items from fibers and textiles.
Sharpshooter
To mix things up, some of our members portray sharpshooters. Pictured below is a soldier in a Berdan Sharpshooter's uniform, which is green. That unit used special 1859 model Sharps Rifles. When the opportunity arises, we sometimes portray other units who also had that rifle. Those units include the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, the 8th Minnesota Infantry, and the 66th Illinois. If someone is interested in becoming a sharpshooter, we recommend that they complete their basic infantry impression first.
Officers
When the opportunity arises, our company officer makes an appearance. Our officer position is connected to the club president's office. Our officer is a 2nd Lieutenant. When we go to larger events when our officer is requested, he has been used in different capacities. Our company officer has been used to act as a battalion adjutant, company commander, and in specialist positions. Officer's were in charge of organizing the enlisted men and making sure that they are trained for their duties. Officers had to be able to understand bugle calls so they could receive long distance orders.
Company Cook
Company cooks were an important part of everyday life for soldiers. Some Civil War regiments elected certain members to work as their full time cooks, exempting them from other duties.
Quartermaster Sergeant
The company quartermaster sergeant was responsible for the company wagon and all the property it contained, including the tents, the company mess gear, the company desk, the company library, the ordnance, the subsistence provisions, and the company tools. He was further charged with overseeing the camp set-up of the tents and picket lines.