On this Date in Minnesota History: July 14

July 14, 1864 - Alexander Wilkin, a St. Paul lawyer and businessman who served as secretary of Minnesota Territory, was the highest ranking officer from Minnesota killed during the Civil War.

Alexander Wilkin

“When the Civil War began in April of 1861, Wilkin was elected captain of a St. Paul militia unit known as the "Pioneer Guard." The unit was enlisted as Company A of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment on April 29, 1861. On July 21, 1861, Wilkin and the First Minnesota fought in the Battle of Bull Run, where Union Army forces were defeated. For his bravery during the battle Wilkin was made a captain in the regular army. Before he could report, he received a promotion to major with the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Wilkin joined his new regiment in Lebanon, Kentucky, where it was assigned to the Army of the Ohio. On January 18, 1862, the Second Minnesota played a leading role in the Battle of Mill Springs. Wilkin was cited for his "valor and judgment" during the battle, which ended in a Union victory. Then the Second Minnesota joined the siege of Corinth, Mississippi. Wilkin was on detached service for much of his time with the Second Minnesota. Brevetted a lieutenant colonel, he served on General William Tecumseh Sherman's staff.

Shortly thereafter he was appointed colonel of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. When Wilkin took command, the regiment was engaged in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and scattered across West-Central Minnesota. On December 26, 1862, Wilkin commanded nearly two hundred fifty soldiers at the execution of thirty-eight Dakota men in Mankato. Afterward, Wilkin established his headquarters and a military training school at St. Peter.

In October 1863, the Ninth Minnesota was sent to Missouri. The following May the regiment marched to Memphis, Tennessee and joined a force tasked with eliminating the threat of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry. Before leaving Memphis, Wilkin was given command of a brigade. On June 10, 1864, the Ninth Minnesota fought in the Battle of Brice's Crossroads. The battle ended in a rout of all Union forces, save Wilkin's brigade. As before, Wilkin received praise for his bravery.

The Ninth Minnesota was then assigned to another expeditionary force ordered to operate against Forrest. On [this date], Wilkin and the Ninth Minnesota engaged Forrest's forces at the Battle of Tupelo. While speaking with a member of his staff, Wilkin was shot and killed. Wilkin was buried near where he fell, but his family recovered his remains and reburied them in Goshen, New York. Minnesota honored Wilkin by naming Wilkin County after him in 1868 and erecting a statue of him in the state capitol in 1910.”

http://www.mnopedia.org/person/wilkin-alexander-1819-1864

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