EMIL MUNCH:

Emil Munch was born in Halberstadt, Prussia on December 12, 1832. He immigrated to the United States in 1849, settled in Taylors Falls, Minnesota in 1852, and then moved to Chengwatana in Pine County in 1857. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives (1860-1861), but enlisted in the First Minnesota Artillery Battery on October 16, 1861 and was chosen captain the following month.

As a result of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, and subsequent exposure while on march, Munch resigned his commission in December 1862. During May-July 1863 he served in Minnesota during the U.S.-Dakota War. In August he accepted an appointment to the Veteran Reserve Corps (also known as the Invalid Corps) and remained with that unit, at Camp Douglas, Illinois, until the war's end, despite an abortive attempt in 1865 to recommission him as a major in the First Minnesota Battery of Heavy Artillery. His duties there largely involved serving on courts martial and guarding military prisons.

Munch returned to St. Paul, married Bertha Segar in 1865, and served as deputy state treasurer and treasurer (1868-1872). He then moved to Lakeland (Washington County), Minnesota, where he engaged in the lumber business until 1872 when he took charge of a flour mill in nearby Afton. He died on August 30, 1887.

Biographical information was taken from the papers and from an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 7, 1907.

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The collection consists of special orders and other official correspondence and documents pertaining to Munch's Civil War service. Notable items include:

Munch's appointment as captain, signed by Gov. Alexander Ramsey, October 30, 1861.

Letter to Munch from Ramsey acknowledging receipt of a report on the battle of Corinth, October 23, 1862.

A copy of Munch's letter to President Lincoln asking for an appointment as provost marshal of the second district of Minnesota.

Munch's appointment as brigadier general of the fifth brigade of Minnesota State Militia, signed by Ramsey, March 7, 1863.

General Orders No. 105 authorizing the formation of an Invalid Corps and giving information on persons eligible to serve therein, April 28, 1863.

Letters from Oscar Malmros, Minnesota Adjutant General, concerning the U.S.-Dakota War, May, June 1863.

Correspondence regarding Munch's application for service in the Invalid Corps, June 1863.

Munch's appointment as captain in the Invalid Corps, signed by Edwin M. Stanton, August 19, 1863.

Letter to the chief of the Veteran Reserve Corps, from Alexander Ramsey, Ignatius Donnelly, and William Windom, requesting a promotion for Munch, January 28, 1865.

Munch's appointment as major in the First Minnesota Regiment, signed by Stephen Miller, March 2, 1865.

Letter to Munch from Oscar Malmros accepting his resignation from the First Minnesota Regiment, April 24, 1865.

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The collection materials are arranged chronologically.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Emil Munch Civil War Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

Accession Information:

Accession number: 9711

Processing Information:

Processed by: Kathryn A. Johnson

Catalog ID number: 990017319180104294

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Dakota Indians -- Wars, 1862-1865.

Persons:

Donnelly, Ignatius, 1831-1901.

Malmros, Oscar, 1826-1909.

Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903.

Windom, William, 1827-1891.

Organizations:

Minnesota. Militia. Brigade, 5th.

United State. Army. Veteran Reserve Corps.

United States. Army. Minnesota Artillery Regiment, 1st.

Places:

Camp Douglas (Ill.).

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.

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