Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Cathy Wurzer

Life as a new Union soldier in the Civil War

Like this?

Log in to share your opinion with MPR News and add it to your profile.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

It's been 150 years since Edward Bassett send a letter from a field in Maryland to his family. He was serving in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry unit during the Civil War. This year marks 150 years since the beginning of the war.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with historian Annette Atkins in another in a series of conversations following the progression of the war through letters and diaries of members of that military unit. The two spoke at the Minnesota State Capitol.