Tenth Infantry.--Col., Tames H. Baker; Lieut.-Col., Samuel
P. Jennison; Majs., Michael Cook, Edwin C. Sanders. This
regiment was organized in the summer of 1862 and mustered in by
companies at different dates. A squad of Co. I, 18 men, under
Lieut. Merrill, voluntarily assisted in the defense of New Ulm.
Another squad of 45 on the way to Fort Snelling, faced about
and marched to Fort Ridgely under Lieut. Gorman, taking part in
the defense of that fort and in the battle of Wood Lake. Part
of Co. G under Capt. Sanders also assisted in the defense of
New Ulm. Co. C was mounted, sent to Yellow Medicine agency and
employed as guard over prisoners, taking all the Indians to the
lower agency, after which it was sent to Fort Ridgely for the
winter. Co. F was also mounted, employed in scouting and
burial of the dead, and was sent to the Winnebago agency for
the winter. Cos. B and F were assigned to the Winnebago
reservation. Headquarters were established at Le Sueur, with
Co. G and part of Co. I in garrison. Co. A was located at
Garden City, D and E at Henderson, H at Seven lakes and Vernon
Center, K at Norwegian lake, and I was not yet mustered in.
Cos. A, B, F, G and H were at the Mankato execution on Dec. 26.
In June, 1863, the regiment moved to Camp Pope and left there
with the expedition to the Missouri river. Cos. A, F, C and K
were in the engagement at Big Mound; the regiment bore the
brunt of the attack at Dead Buffalo lake, when fully 4,000
Indians assaulted the troops, flanking the regiment on both
sides before the other regiments were in position. On the
return of the expedition it was ordered to Fort Snelling and
furloughed. It left the state Oct. 7, for St. Louis, where it
did provost and garrison duty. Col. Baker was appointed
commanding officer of the post at St. Louis and finally
appointed provost marshal-general, Department of the Missouri,
which he held until the war closed. On April 22, 1864, the
regiment was ordered to Columbus, Ky., Cos. E and D being
detached for duty at Island No. 10. In June the regiment was
ordered to Memphis and assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st
division, 16th army corps. It participated in several
expeditions and at the battle of Tupelo was in reserve. It
joined in the pursuit of Forrest, was in the raid after Price,
went into camp at Nashville Nov. 30, was in the battle at that
place in December, when it participated in the charge upon the
principal point, and forced the enemy out at the point of the
bayonet. The regiment lost nearly 70 men in two days. Of the
charge Gen. Thomas said, it was the handsomest feat of arms he
ever saw. The regiment went into winter quarters at Eastport,
and was later sent to take part in the siege of Mobile. After
the fall of that city it was sent to Montgomery, Ala., and in
May was ordered to Meridian, Miss. It was mustered out at Fort
Snelling, Aug. 18, 1865.
Source: Union Army
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Report of Col. James H. Baker, Tenth Minnesota Infantry.
HDQRS. TENTH REGT. MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
Camp Williston, August 5, 1863.
CAPT.: I have the honor herewith to submit a report of such part as
was borne by my regiment, or any portion of it, in the several actions
from July 24, at Big Mound, to the Missouri River.
About 3.30 o'clock on Friday, the 24th of July, while on the march,
doing escort duty in the center, I received information from the general
commanding that a large force of Indians was immediately in our front,
accompanied by an order communicated by Lieut. Beaver to prepare
my regiment for action, which order was immediately executed.
Meantime the train was being corraled on the side of the lake; after
which I received orders to form my regiment on the color line indicated
for it, immediately in front of the corral, and fronting outward from the
lake, and to throw up intrenchments along the line, which was speedily
done. The action of this day began on my right, more immediately in
front of the Seventh (which regiment, being in advance during the day's
march, was entitled to the forward position), by the artillery under
Capt. Jones, when, at 4.30 p. m., I received an order by Capt. Olin
to deploy a company to support this battery. I immediately deployed
Company B, Capt. Edgerton, and that company, though fatigued
already with an ordinary day's march, continued with the battery
(marching for many miles on the double-quick) during the entire pursuit
of the enemy, for 15 miles, and through out the night till sunrise next
morning, when they returned from the pursuit to camp, having made
during the day and night the almost unparalleled march of quite 50 miles.
At about 5 o'clock I received an order by Capt. Pope to send Lieut.-Col.
Jennison with four companies, to be deployed and to follow in the direction
of the retreating enemy, as a support for the cavalry and artillery. Col.
Jennison moved forward, with Companies A, F, C, and K, 5 miles, more than
half of it on the double-quick, and reported his command to the general
commanding, at that time in the front. After resting about one hour, by the
order of the general commanding, Col. Jennison was directed to return to
camp with his force, and arrived at a little after 9 p. m. At the same time
that the first order above alluded to was given, I was directed to assume
command of the camp, and make the proper dispositions for its defense,
which I did by completing all the intrenchments and organizing and posting
such forces as were yet left in camp, not anticipating the return of our
forces that night.
The action of the 26th of July took place on the side of the camp
opposite from my regiment, and, consequently, we did not participate
in it. We were, however, constantly under arms, ready at any moment
for orders or an opportunity.
On Tuesday, the 28th of July, my regiment being in the advance for the
day's march, we started out of Camp Ambler at 5 o'clock in the
morning. The general commanding, some of the scouts, and a few of
the headquarters wagons had preceded my regiment out of camp, and
were ascending the long sloping hill which gradually rose from Stony
Lake. I had just received, directly from the general commanding, orders
for the disposition of my regiment during the days' march, when the
scouts came from over the hill on the full run, shouting, "They are
coming! they are coming!" Immediately a very large body of mounted
Indians began to make their appearance over the brow of the hill, and
directly in front of my advancing column. I instantly gave the necessary
orders for the deployment of the regiment to the right and left, which,
with the assistance of Lieut. Col. Jennison and the great alacrity
of commandants of companies, were executed with the utmost rapidity,
though a portion of my line was thorn into momentary confusion by the
hasty passage through it of the returning scouts and advance wagons. At
this moment an Indian on the brow of the hill shouted, "We are too late;
they are ready for us." Another one replied, "But remember our
children and families; we must not let them get them." Immediately the
Indians, all well mounted, filed off right and left along the hill in my
front with the utmost rapidity. My whole regiment was deployed, but
the Indians covered my entire front, and soon far outflanked on both
sides, appearing in numbers that seemed almost incredible, and most
seriously threatening the train to the right and left of my widely
extended line. The position of the train was at this moment eminently
critical. It has begun to pass out of the corral around both ends of the
small lake, to mass itself in the rear of my regiment, in the usual order
of march. The other regiments were
not yet in position, as the time to take their respective places in the
order of march had not arrived. Fortunately, however, Capt. Jones
had early moved out of camp with one section of artillery, and was in
the center of my left wing, and Lieut. Whipple, with another, near
to the center of my right, which was acting under Col. Jennison.
Simultaneously with the deployment of the regiment, we began a steady
advance of the whole line up the hill upon the foe, trusting to the speedy
deployment of the other infantry regiments and the cavalry for the
protection of the train, so threatened on either flank at the ends of the
lake. My whole line was advancing splendidly up the hill, directly upon
the enemy, the artillery doing fine work, and the musketry beginning to
do execution, when I received a peremptory order too halt the entire
line, as a farther advance would imperil the train. So ardent were both
officers and men for the advance, that it was with some considerable
difficulty that I could effect a halt. Believing fully that the great
engagement of the expedition was now begun, and seeing in my front
and reaching far beyond either flank more than double the number of
Indians that had hitherto made their appearance, I took advantage of the
halt to make every preparation for a prolonged and determined action.
Meantime long-range firing continued throughout the entire line, and
frequently the balls of the enemy would reach to, and even pass over,
my men, though it was evident that the range of the Indian guns bore no
comparison to ours. About this time I twice received the order to cause
the firing to cease, which order I found very difficult to execute, owing
to the wide extent of my line and intense eagerness of the men. I then
received orders that, as the train was closed up, I should form my
regiment in order of battle, deploy as skirmishers, holding two
companies in reserve, and that, thus advancing, our order of march
would be resumed in the face of the enemy. In a few minutes, the
dispositions being made, all was ready, and, in the order of battle
indicated, we passed again for a moment, on a distant hill, in great
numbers, when they entirely disappeared. My regiment marched in
deployed order of battle en echelon at the head of the column for 18
miles, expecting and ready to meet the enemy at any moment.
The number of Indians so suddenly charging upon us was estimated at
not less than from 1,500 to 2,000. They were well mounted, and moved
about with the utmost rapidity and with their characteristic hideous yells.
The artillery, under Capt. Jones and Lieut. Whipple, did great
execution, as I could well observe, and the fire of my men did effective
service, and enabled us to hold the enemy at bay till the train was closed
up and the regular dispositions for its defense made. At least 3 of the
enemy were seen to fall by the fire from my line, their bodies being
thrown on ponies and rapidly carried away. The artillery must have
killed and wounded a considerable number. Nothing could exceed the
eagerness, firmness, and gallant bearing of all the officers and men of
my command during this unexpected and by far, numerically, the
greatest effort the Indians had yet made upon the forces of the
expedition. In their courage and earnest desire to clear the enemy from
the hill by a double-quick charge, my officers and men were a unit.
Nothing but the immediate peril of the train could induce them to cease
the advance they had so gallantly begun.
On the 30th of July, while at Camp Slaughter, on the Missouri, I
received an order to send three companies of my regiment, under
Lieut.-Col. Jennison, to join an expedition under Col. Crooks, the object
of which was to skirmish through the timber and heavy
underbrush to the river, and destroy the property of the Indians, known
to be upon its banks. This most laborious task was assigned to Companies B,
F, and K, and a portion of Company C. A report of their operations will,
of course, be given you by the officer commanding the expedition.
I desire, captain, to avail myself of this opportunity to express my
sincere gratification at the good order, faithful devotion to very duty,
most determined perseverance in the long and weary marches, uncomplaining
in the severe guard and trenching labors, submitting unmurmuringly to every
fatigue, which as characterized the officers and men of my regiment during
the tedious and arduous march we have made to the distant shores of the
Missouri River. It is with justifiable pride that I here note how nobly
they have performed all that has been required at their hands.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. BAKER,
Col. Tenth Regt. Minnesota Infantry.
Capt. R. C. OLIN,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., District of Minnesota.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 369-32 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 22. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 32.]
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Report of Lieut. Col. Samuel P. Jennison, Tenth Minnesota Infantry.
HDQRS. TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
Memphis, Tenn., July 23, 1864.
I have the honor to report the operations of my command during the late
expedition under Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith to Tupelo, Miss.:
The regiment, which has been detained upon provost duty, left La
Grange on the afternoon of the 5th instant to join the rest of the brigade.
On the 13th instant the regiment was formed to resist the flank attack of
the enemy made near the creek, about --miles from Tupelo, on the
road Thither from Pontotoc. One company (Company F, Capt.
George T. White commanding) was thrown forward as skirmishers, who
become engaged on the left of the advanced line, and to whose support
Company K, Capt. O'Connor, was afterward dispatches, but the rest
of the regiment took no other part than to change position as support
several times, and to endure the harmless shelling of the enemy's
artillery.
During the engagement of two hours and a half, on the 14th instant, we
were on the left of the First Brigade, which formed the right of our
semicircular line. Two companies, A and E, were throughout absent
upon picket duty. Company C, Capt. Hopson, was deployed to cover
our front, and was often engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy.
The regiment, although much exposed, was held in reserve until the last
advance of the enemy, when Col. McMillen directed me to swing my
regiment around upon its left, temporarily disconnecting its right from
the rest of the line, so as to extend the line that was hitherto engaged by
the length of my battalion. Their new position was concealed from the
enemy by the crest of a ridge, upon which Mueller's battery of Rodman
guns had been excellent service. I awaited the enemy until I was
satisfied I could reach them with the fire of my riflemen, when the
regiment rose as one man, developing a line of greater extent to their
left than the enemy had yet seen, and gave them a volley, which was the
last they waited to receive that day. They turned in utter rout and our
victorious line was ordered forward. Presently my regiment was recalled
by order of Gen. Mower. The evening and night following I was
ordered directly by Maj.-Gen. Smith to guard the rear of the train,
the hospitals, and the road to Tupelo, along which it was expected the
enemy would make an attempt.
On the 15th the Tenth Minnesota was again sent in as a reserve, taking
position by the direct order of Gen. Mower. Upon the afternoon of
that day, when the enemy attacked us just as we were arriving in camp,
my regiment had been the leading one on the march, and was therefore
the last to receive the order to return to attack the enemy. The regiment
returned immediately, under the guidance of a staff officer of the
brigade commander, but only to be ordered to return to camp, the other
regiments of the brigade having gallantly driven the enemy for about
two miles.
I have no other circumstances to mention wherein my regiment bore any
special part. Although commonly held in reserve in the engagement, it
was often in very trying positions.
I can only say of the behavior of my officers and men that it is all I
could desire. They promptly moved whenever and wherever ordered,
and they remained until ordered away. I had about 400 men in line on
the 14th and over 500 on the 15th.
My loss was 1 killed and 20 wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. JENNISON,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Tenth Minnesota Infantry.
OSCAR MALMROS,
Adjutant-Gen., Minnesota.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. LI.] EXPEDITION TO TUPELO, MISS. PAGE 263-77
[Series I. Vol. 39. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 77.]
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Nashville, TN after battle report:
No. 146.
Report of Capt. Edwin C. Sanders, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, of operations
December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
In the Field, December 23, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report the part borne by the Tenth Minnesota
Infantry in the battles of the 15th and 16th of this month near Nashville,
Tenn.
On the morning of the 15th the regiment, commanded by Lieut.
Col. S. P. Jennison, moved from the earth-works near Nashville as the
center of your command. In the charges which were made during the
afternoon of this day it participated and contributed in no small degree
toward carrying the strong works of the enemy on the left of his lines, which
resulted to him in the loss of six cannon and many prisoners, together with
very strong defensible positions. On the morning of the 16th the regiment
took position on the left of your brigade, the left resting on the right of the
Second Brigade, of Gen. McArthur's division, within musket-range of the
enemy's earth-works, and in this position about 100 rods to the right and
took position parallel to and in front of the Twenty-third Army Corps, where
it remained about forty-five minutes, when it participated in the grand charge
so gallantly and successfully made by your command against the salient point
of the enemy's works, and did very much toward producing the glorious
results of the day.
All the officers and men, during these sanguinary conflicts, were at their
posts and nobly did their duty; especially did Lieut. Col. Jennison
display a high order of those qualities which endear an officer to his
command, and by his coolness and noble daring did very much in carrying
his regiment repeatedly over the enemy's defenses, the last of which himself
did not pass over, being struck down severely wounded while in the act of
scaling the works. I should hardly do my duty if I failed to mention Sergeant
O'Neill, the color-bearer of the regiment, who particularly distinguished
himself in all the charges made, especially so in the last one, in which case
he was the first to enter the enemy's works, and, with one toot upon an
enemy prostrated by his own hand, waved the regimental colors.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. C. SANDERS,
Capt., Cmdg.
Col. W. L. McMILLEN, Cmdg. Brigade.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 444-93 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
[Series I. Vol. 45. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 93.]
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Report of Lieut. Col. Samuel P. Jennison, Tenth
Minnesota Infantry, of operations March 25-April 9.
HDQRS. TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
Near Fort Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
LIEUT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of my regiment before Spanish Fort, Ala.:
My command left Fish River March 25, 1865, with the rest of the
brigade. On the morning of the 27th, having passed somewhat beyond
or to the north of Spanish Fort, on the road to Blakely, I was ordered
to form in line of battle upon the left of the Ninety-thrid Indiana
Infantry, facing the west, to cover my front with a strong skirmish line,
and conform to the movements of the regiment on my right. We were
then advanced about half a mile, when it was found that by the
convergence of our lines of advance we were lapping the brigade on our
right. We were moved to the left, and then forward until I came to the
position occupied by Reed's Station Iowa Battery. I halted in rear of this
battery and reported the fact to the colonel commanding brigade, who
directed me then to remain. Later in the day, when it became apparent
that the enemy would not accept battle outside of his works, I was
directed to move forward and intrench myself on the right of the Second
Brigade. I went to my assigned position about 4 p.m., procured axes
and spades, and commenced to throw up works in plain view ofthe
enemy and within 500 yards of their northeast bastion. Part of my front
was claimed to plant the Second Iowa Battery. I therefore placed four
companies in the front line and entrenched the other companies in rear
of the battery. This position we occupied as our camp for twelve days,
within which my command threw up a breaks-work which resisted the
penetrative power of an 8-inch columbiad at point-blank range, covered
themselves against splinters of the enemy's shell, assisted to drive
forward a sap within seventy-five yards of the enemy's works, built a
second parallel and nearly completed a third, constructed substantial
works for sixteen siege guns and for lighter pieces, felled the heavy pine
timber to give ranger to artillery upon about forty acres, and expended
23,000 rounds of cartridges in skirmishing. I was present in the
advanced parallel with six companies of my regiment the night of the
evacuation of the fort by the enemy, and observed the advance of a
brigade of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, which was made
at midnight on the 8th instant. Although that advance men no resistance
whatever, and I might from my advanced position have preceded all the
troops into the fort, I thought best not to experiment without orders, and
accordingly remained until directed by the colonel commanding to
advance into the fort. Of the duty peculiar to a siege I think no equal
number of men ever did more, or better, or more willingly than the
regiment I have the honor to command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. JENNISON,
Lieut. Col., Cmdg. Tenth Minnesota Infantry Volunteers.
Lieut. THEODORE LIVINGS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., First Div., 16th Army Corps.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 238-103 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
[Series I. Vol. 49. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 103.]
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