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Richard Moe

The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers

"The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers" by Richard Moe is a meticulously researched and deeply moving account of the sacrifices and courage of the Union's first volunteer infantry regiment during the American Civil War. Moe, a distinguished historian and preservationist, tells the story of these soldiers and their commander, Colonel William Colvill, with a novelist's eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the human drama of war. The book begins with the formation of the First Minnesota in 1861 and follows the regiment through some of the most harrowing battles of the war, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Moe draws on a wealth of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and official records, to bring the soldiers' experiences to life, capturing their fears, hopes, and heroism in vivid prose. At the heart of the story is the regiment's defining moment at the Battle of Gettysburg, where the First Minnesota charged into the midst of a Confederate assault, buying critical time for the Union army to regroup and ultimately turn the tide of the battle. The charge cost the regiment nearly 80% of its strength, but it remains one of the most celebrated acts of bravery in American military history. Moe also explores the aftermath of the war, as the surviving members of the regiment struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, haunted by the memories of their comrades who had fallen in battle. The book is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and a tribute to the sacrifices made by the men of the First Minnesota and their families. "The Last Full Measure" is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War or American military history. Moe's evocative prose and thorough research make for a compelling and deeply moving narrative that is sure to leave a lasting impression...