Beschreibung:

Blue silk ribbon, 5.25 in. ln., identified in gold to "Survivors of 1st Minn. Vol. Inft'y / Gettysburg, PA. July 2nd, 1863-1897." With cello disk at center featuring Gettysburg memorial erected in honor of the 1st Minnesota Volunteers. Original "Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, NJ" paper label affixed on back of ribbon. On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, during Longstreet's Assault, the 1st Minnesota performed one of the most critical actions of the battle. While Sickles’ Corps was falling back, Longstreet’s men advanced to penetrate the center of the Union line, which had been thinned out to support other sectors. General Hancock rode up to the 1st Minnesota, with the only organized Union troops at hand, and ordered them to take the colors from the advancing Confederate forces. The 1st Minnesota's sacrificial charge halted the Confederate advance and secured time for the Union line to reform, forcing General Lee into a final, desperate gamble with Pickett’s Charge the following day. The survivors of the 1st Minnesota were involved in repelling that charge as well. The regiment suffered substantial losses during the battle, including approximately 215 killed and wounded. On July 2, 1897, a monument of granite and bronze was unveiled at the area of Cemetery Ridge from which the 1st Minnesota launched its charge. All the survivors, which amounted to around 135, were transported to and back at the expense of the state. (Information obtained from Stone Sentinels: The Battle of Gettysburg website, February 2, 2017.) Condition: Overall very fine condition. Some fraying at bottom of ribbon and short vertical tear along right side.