StarTribune North Metro News 

StarTribune-March 20, 2013

Musical salutes the First Minnesota at Gettysburg

A Blaine resident has written a musical about the storied Civil War regiment whose efforts and enormous sacrifices were pivotal at Gettysburg.  by Anna Pratt by Anna Pratt 

An oil painting on view at the state capital, depicting a scene from the Civil War, made a lasting impression on David James Carlson as a child.  The Blaine resident remembered the work by Rufus Zogbaum when he learned more about it subject matter, many years later:  the First Minnesota Volunteer infantry Regiment's deadly charge on July 2, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg.   Going up against as many as 1,600 Confederate soldiers, the Regiment, which was down to 262 men, helped the union army when the fateful Civil War battle, but suffered a staggering 80% casualty rate in the process.   Carlson, a local actor, writer and musician, was inspired to write an epic song about their heroism.   These men "sacrificed themselves so about five precious minutes could be gained, to bring in reinforcements," he said.   After he did some more digging, Carlson's side project turned into a full-fledged production that he titled " The First Minnesota: A Civil War Musical,"  in the vein of "Lkes Miserables."  This year marks the 150th anniversary of the battle.   Carlson, a retired teacher, is hoping to stage the musical at various historic landmarks, public parks and other sites across the state this July, and to record it for a CD.   To bring those goals to fruition, he needs to raise a minimum of several thousand dollars to cover the cost of insurance for live performances and to make the CDs, he said.   Financial challenges aside, Carlson has multiple sclerosis, which hinders his ability to play instruments or to use the computer, at times.   But he's on a mission.  " I just want people to know the story. They gave their lives," he said, adding, "I almost feel like these guys are saying, don't forget us. Don't let us down."   The musical, set in Gettysburg on July 2 and third of 1863, unfolds in two acts.   Carlson sprinkles in numerous historical references throughout the dialogue and lyrics, though he took some artistic liberties.   The show, which calls for 11 cast members, recounts the charge, while also getting up close and personal with some of the men fighting and those back home.   Although the music has a modern style, the lyrical songs are reminiscent of the period, He said.  To denote the fighting, some numbers have a "military cadence",  with loud snare drums, while others are slow and melancholy.   A temporary truce   As evening falls in the play, the First Minnesota encounters a rebel soldier.   Eventually, the men get into a conversation in which they share their philosophies about fighting in the war.   The rebel soldier pulls out his harmonica, the other men clicking their canteens and bayonets, slapping their boots, they're all having fun relieving the tension.  This is one of the show's more lighthearted moments before the dramatic ending.  Leo Whitebird, who has a private recording studio in his home in South Minneapolis, is helping Carlson lay down the musical tracks.   Whitebird, who has often collaborated with Carlson, is also a believer in the show, which he describes as informative yet entertaining.  " It's a great script," he said, " David is a great songwriter.  I can't say enough about that."   Carlson's wife, Dawn LeClair, is stepping into one of the characters on the home front,  Singing the part of a mother.  There is a poignant song where the mother goes through a box of her sons belongings.  " It's a very moving piece."   As a mother of two grown sons, " when you sing songs like that, you think of your own children and what it would be like."