tive fellow-citizens to sacrifice their blood
and lives for the Union.

CHAPTER V.

The Beginning of the Civil War--The Scandinavians taking part in
it--Appeal in _Hemlandet_ to the Scandinavians of Minnesota--Company
D. Organized--The Expressions of the Press--The Departure--The March
over the Cumberland Mountains--The Fate of the Third Regiment.

Going from the court house on the afternoon of April 12th, 1861, a
friend overtook me with the news that the rebels of the South had fired
on Fort Sumpter. The news spread rapidly, and caused surprise and
intense indignation. In a few days the governor issued a proclamation
that one thousand men should be ready to leave our young state for the
seat of war; more than a sufficient number of companies were already
organized to fill this regiment, and the only question was, who were to
have the first chance? This first excitement was so sudden that the
Scandinavians, who are more deliberate in such matters, scarcely knew
what was going on before the first enlistment was made.

A few months passed, and the battle of Bull Run was fought. It was no
longer a mere momentary excitement; it was no longer expected that the
Rebellion could be subdued in a single battle or within a few months,
but it was generally understood that the war would be long and bitter.
Then the Scandinavians of Minnesota began to stir. We had heard that a
few Swedes in Illinois, especially Major--afterward General--Stohlbrand
and a few others, had entered the army. A few Scandinavians had also
enlisted in the First and Second regiments; but there was no general
rising among them in our state until I published an appeal in the
Swedish newspaper _Hemlandet_ in Chicago. The following is an extract
from that paper:

"TO THE SCANDINAVIANS OF MINNESOTA!

"It is high time for us, as a people, to arise with sword in hand, and
fight for our adopted country and for liberty.

"This country is in danger. A gigantic power has arisen against it and
at the same time against liberty and democracy, in order to crush
them.

"Our state has already furnished two thousand men, and will soon be
called upon for as many more to engage in the war. Among the
population of the state the Scandinavians number about one-twelfth, a
part of its most hardy and enduring people, and ought to furnish at
least three or four hundred men for this army. This land which we, as
strangers, have made our hom