Ramsey County History – Spring 2003: “The St. Paul Fireman Who Rose to Command the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg”

The St. Paul Fireman Who Rose to Command the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg
Author: Patrick Hill

Captain Wilson Farrell of Company C of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry had been a member of a volunteer company at one of St. Paul’s small fire stations. He served as a young man in the war with Mexico and came to St. Paul in 1856. The First Minnesota was in the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 and held the line at a huge cost. During the battle, the officer in command fell, and Farrell had to take over. Unfortunately, it was not for long. He was mortally wounded by a rifle shot to the head and was buried for a time at Gettysburg. His local Odd Fellows lodge brothers retrieved his remains and brought them to Oakland Cemetery, where he rests next to his wife.
PDF of Hill article