Students of the Washington School in Minneapolis prepare for a Halloween play and party circa 1935.

Transcription of a telegram from Acting Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott to Acting Governor Ignatius Donnelly requesting a battery of artillery.

To Donnelly, Acting Gov
Oct 31st 1861
By Telegraph from Washington
We have authorized Gov Ramsey to organize a battery of artillery.  The authority goes by mail.  No more cavalry required.
Thos A Scott

Citation:  October 31, 1861 Letter from Thomas A. Scott to Ignatius Donnelly,  Letters Received–War Department. Minnesota: Governor: Ramsey. Records. Minnesota Historical Society. State Archives.

Letter from James Fergus of Little Falls to Ignatius Donnelly.

“Little Falls Oct 30th 1861 Hon Ignatius Donnelly
D[ear] Sir There are so few young men left in this neighborhood that it would be almost impossible to raise a company here at present.
The most of our able-bodied men have been engaged in lumbering, and owing to the inactivity in that branch of our State industry, the majority have either removed out of the neighborhood or have gone to the war already. I am told that not a single recruit has been obtained in the large French Canadian settlement on Belle Prairie.  They are nearly all Democrats, and the majority of them are so ignorant that they think democracy consists more in opposing the state and national authorities than anything else, and some of them do not hesitate to avow secession sentiments.
I would like to serve my state and country in some capacity where I could be actively and usefully employed, but my age prevents my enlisting, so I suppose I must remain an idle spectator for the present.
Respectfully your O[bedient Servant] James Fergus”

Citation:  October 30, 1861 Letter from James Fergus to Ignatius Donnelly, Correspondence Sept-Oct. 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and family papers, 1812-1973. Minnesota Historical Society.

Transcription of a telegram from general-in-chief of Union forces, Winfield Scott, to Governor Alexander Ramsey.

To His Ex Gov Ramsey
Oct 29th 1861
By Telegraph from Washington
Please send the third Minnesota Regt to Louisville Ky to report to Brig Gen’l Sherman when ready
Winfield Scott

Citation:  October 29, 1861 Letter from Winfield Scott to Alexander Ramsey, Letters Received–War Department. Minnesota: Governor: Ramsey. Records. Minnesota Historical Society. State Archives.

A “soldier’s housewife” sewing kit made of cloth that has been lacquered black and stenciled with a floral design. The name “soldier’s housewife” indicates that while sewing was normally done by women in the home, soldiers needed to be able do it for themselves in the field. The kit was used by Private Marcus Daniels during the Civil War.  The kit rolls closed around a cylindrical pin cushion containing a tinned iron thimble with a brass rim.  The interior of the kit has three wool flaps of sewing needles and two fabric patches of safety pins.

Telegraph switch that may have been used with telegraph sets belonging to the Northern Pacific Railroad.  The steel switch is mounted on a wooden base and was used to make and break electrical current.  Patented January 17, 1871.

Formal man’s top hat and box.  The hat is of black hatter’s plush edged with black faille and a black faille ribbon encircling the base of the crown. The box is of light brown leather lined with padded and pleated red silk.  Both were manufactured by Dunlap & Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota between 1875 and 1899.

Transcription of a telegram from Acting Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott to Governor Ignatius Donnelly de-authorizing an additional cavalry regiment which appears to have been previously authorized in an October 11 letter.
To Donnelly, Acting Gov
Oct 26 1861
By Telegraph from Washington
Do not organize the Second Cavalry –
Thos A Scott
Asst Secy War

Citation:  October 26, 1861 Letter from Thomas A. Scott to Ignatius Donnelly, Letters Received–War Department. Minnesota: Governor: Ramsey. Records. Minnesota Historical Society. State Archives.