War and Conflict | Page 90

The fate of the Union army hung in the balance on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Confederate soldiers punched a hole in its defenses and only the men of the First Minnesota Infantry, led by Colonel William Colvill, stood in their way.

Souvenir spoon from G.A.R. encampment

Created by an unknown manufacturer for the Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment of 1896 held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

G.A.R. ribbon

Ribbon created for the 1884 Grand Army of the Republic National Convention held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

G.A.R. sack coat

G.A.R. sack coat worn by an unidentified veteran of the First Minnesota Regiment.

Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment, St. Paul

Veterans relaxing at Camp Mason during the 1896 National Encampment held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

St. Peter Grand Army of the Republic

Members of the St. Peter Post of the Grand Army of the Republic standing in formation, 1896.

St. Paul Fire Department headquarters, northwest corner of Eighth and Minnesota, decorated for the Thirtieth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic.

St. Paul Fire Department headquarters decorated for the Thirtieth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic

St. Paul Fire Department Headquarters decorated for the 1896 National Encampment.

2200 school children form a living flag at Grand Army of the Republic meeting, St. Paul

School children create the image of a large American flag at the 1896 National Encampment held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, Second Avenue South and Washington Avenue, Minneapolis

Decorative arch spanning a Minneapolis street during a Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment held in Minneapolis, 1884.

Gale Family Library

William Colvill

Colvill, William (1830–1905)