Revisiting veterans of the Civil War tied to Kittson County

By Jack Waters 
Though the Civil War predated the official establishment of Kittson County in 1878, the county has a number of connections to those who served in that war in various capacities, all who answered the call to preserve the Union. Minnesota itself, newly minted as a state in 1858, was eager to deliver volunteers to the Union cause. Famously, it was the First Minnesota Regiment that captured a Virginia battle flag after holding the Union line against advancing Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg. That captured flag remains in Minnesota to this day. Kudos go to Cindy Adams, director of the Kittson County History Museum, and Trish Lewis and Marcy Johnson for their help and dedicated work throughout the years in seeking out stories and histories of this area.

One man who was part of that First Minnesota Regiment who fought and commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg, was John N. Chase, from St. Vincent. He served as 1st Lieutenant until he was promoted to captaincy and assigned to Company H. Captain Chase was a member of the very first Minnesota State Legislature, representing District 22. The Civil War began while he was a legislator, so he volunteered while down near St. Paul. He was inducted on Oct. 22, 1861, and discharged on May 4, 1864.

 

 

 

 

Hugh B. Cameron, born in Scotland in 1843, came to America at 20 and enlisted in Brady’s Sharpshooters. He was attached to the 16th Michigan Infantry, and his troop fought in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Fort Wheaton, and joined the last Civil War campaign at the Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865, just days short of Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 13. Cameron was discharged from the service in July with the rank of Corporal.

Cameron ended up with some Confederate money, likely as battlefield souvenirs, but as currency, nearly valueless upon war’s end. He had to find his own way back home in the north, so he worked oil fields and helped build the Santa Fe Railroad. He then moved to Canada for six years. Finally, he moved to Kittson County, and found work and lived on the Sprague farm west of Hallock for five years taking care of Sprague’s horses.
Cameron was an active community member and was a founding member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as treasurer for many years. He was a charter member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. Hugh died March 17, 1917 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Hallock.

To read the whole story, see the May 27, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise