MINNESOTA SECOND COMPANY SHARPSHOOTERS (Three Years)

Second Company Sharpshooters.--Capts., William F. Russell, Emil A. Burger, Mahlon Black; First Lieuts., John A. W. Jones, Emil A. Burger, Mahlon Black, Louis Fitzsimmons; Second Lieuts., John A. W. Jones, Mahlon Black, Daniel H. Priest. This company was organized at St. Paul from Nov. 23, 1861, to March 17, 1862, and was mustered in March 20. It left the state April 21 for Washington and was sent to Yorktown, reporting to Col. Berdan May 7. It was temporarily attached to 1st U. S. sharpshooters as Co. L and moved to West Point with that regiment May 8. It participated in two engagements at Hanover Court House, after which the company--always known as "2nd company of Minnesota sharpshooters"--was assigned to duty with the 1st Minn. infantry. It joined the regiment on the field at Fair Oaks June 2. The previous day in independent action it drove a body of the enemy's sharpshooters out of a piece of woods. It remained with the regiment through the war, being engaged before Richmond in the Seven Days' battles. In the battle of Antietam it lost 20 men wounded within 10 minutes, and at Gettysburg it supported Battery I, 1st U. S. artillery, and was under heavy fire. It was on provost duty in September, October and November at division headquarters. The regiment was sent home in Feb., 1864, to be mustered out, but Co. L, as the sharpshooters were designated, was engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and numerous skirmishes during May and June, and in several actions about Petersburg. It was mustered out March 19, 1865. Its original strength was 101. Loss by death 11; missing 4; transfer 20; desertion 6; discharge 42; promoted 5; enlisted in regular army 6; discharged on expiration of term 7.

Minnesota 2nd Sharpshooters (Union)

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