The Civil War

Title: List of Red Wing Volunteers
Type: Newspaper
Date: 1861
Source: Goodhue County Republican

Description: This article in the Goodhue County Republican listed the Red Wing volunteers who enlisted to serve in the Civil War.
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Activities:

1. How does this newspaper account describe the soldiers who volunteered for service?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: They are described as "fine-looking fellows, and above the average run of men in physical capacity."
2. What does the article suggest might have been a challenge for those who decided to volunteer?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The volunteers had to ignore the "appeals of affection and the entreaties of friends" who did not want them to risk their lives in the war, but the volunteers felt that the sacrifice was necessary.
3. Why might those in Red Wing want a list of the volunteers published in the newspaper?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: It is a matter of public interest, and also would give credit to those who were willing to sign up for the company.
4. What might we be able to do to prove or disprove the claim that the Goodhue Volunteers was the first company in the state to be offered to the governor?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: We could search state records for information about the dates when companies were organized and registered.