Anoka at War
Civil War Veterans in front of old Congregational Church, Third & Main, Anoka, MN. Some identifications on back. No date. Identifications are made with numbers written on each man's chest and listed on back as follows: Matthew Taylor; J. Beatty; George Bennett; George Hills; J. W. Swank; Storms, L.P.; Elias Pratt; E. A. Bradeen; Leathers; S.P. Starrett; Hyatt, Jim; Snow, A.G. ; Merrill, A. E. ;' Johnmott, F. W.; Doc. Henry; Henry Libby; Nelson Herrick; Coock Son; Joseph Cook; Silas Robbins; Jim Kerr; George Wethern; Dwelly, S. J.; Bates; Turner Pribble,Joe Rogers; Al Depue; Henry Taylor; Joe Clark; Fred Bird; Tim Taylor; Mike Scully; Robert Hunt. (Object ID 2074.2.12)
Emotions running high
The 1860s were tumultuous for young Anoka, in a state barely achieving statehood, part of a not-very-United States. While 90 percent of Anoka’s males between 18 and 45 volunteered to fight in the Civil War, some found themselves reassigned to the Dakota War in 1862.
As a city, Anoka saw no battles during this time, but the 8th Minnesota Infantry, Company A, was assigned to patrol the roads from here to Princeton. Mary Woodbury has left her memories and opinions of Anoka during this time—please remember they are spoken through a lens of ethnic cleansing used by the white settlers.
My mother told me of making up beds for twenty refugees on the floor of our home. She said that even then she was unable to realize any danger, notwithstanding that the men of the town were patrolling it regularly. She was saved much anxiety by that attitude, for there was much terror and panic among the settlers. One good lady decided that the most effective weapon of defense she could muster would be boiling water, so kept a boiler full on the stove and sat beside it with a dipper all night, ready to repel any savage invaders.
For more details about the Dakota War, visit MNHS or give Let Them Eat Grass a read (cover art by Jon Arfstrom)
Albert, Dwight Woodbury’s son from his first marriage and the one who had encouraged Dwight to move to Anoka, was serving as a first lieutenant in the Second Minnesota Battery of Light Artillery during the Civil War. In the fall of 1863, he was wounded during the fighting at Chickamauga, Georgia. Albert was taken to a hospital in Chattanooga. Less than a month later, Albert was dead. His body was returned to Anoka for a funeral, then taken to Massachusetts, where he was laid to rest beside his mother.
For more details about Anoka County in the Civil War, please visit the Diary of James Groat or our costumed presentation, Civil War and Life at Home or blog post.
Model 1861 Springfield rifled musket with lock plate dated 1862. All existing parts seem to be original. American walnut stock. This rifle-musket was used by Andrew E. Wickstrom in the Civil War. He was a Swedish immigrant and went into the war as a "substitute" which means he was paid to take someone else's place. He joined the 2nd Minnesota just in time to march to the sea with Gen. Sherman. Wickstrom lived in oak Grove. (Object ID 1962.0250.001)
Music book "Drummers and Fifers Guide" by Geo. B. Bruce and Dan D. Emmett.
Josiah Clark served with Company A of the 8th Minnesota Infantry during the war and carried this book. He was promoted to principal musician and was responsible for training other musicians. This book is extraordinary in that few of the musicians survived their time spent in haversacks, and it is the first Civil War music book researchers have found from these authors in the Western states. Clark’s book also contains his handwritten notes and preferences for the music he played. (Object ID 1938.2017.001)