Biography of Colonel Ozora P. Stearns In 1862, war erupted in Minnesota. This spurred hundreds of men from all around the state to enlist in the Minnesota Volunteer regiments. Rich or poor, uneducated or educated—men of all kinds heard the call to enlist. A man named Ozora P. Stearns from Olmstead County, Minnesota was no different. With Milton Daniels, Stearns recruited 101 men from Olmstead County to enlist. They went to Fort Snelling and enlisted together. Mustered-in in August of 1862, Stearns and his recruits became Company F of the 9th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The company voted for Stearns to be First Lieutenant and Milton Daniels voted Second Lieutenant. Stationed in Minnesota, the 9th Minnesota stayed in the state to provide …show more content…
Originally, Stearns’ appointment was supposed to be in the 72nd United States Colored Infantry, but they did not have a vacancy. At the same time, the 39th United States Colored Infantry needed a colonel, so to fill the vacancy, Stearns was selected. During his time with the 39th regiment, Stearns was absent from his company. Temporarily, Stearns commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division. These temporary assignments lasted for twenty-four hours, for example, Stearns commanded the 1st Brigade 3rd Division for the day of September 22 and 30, 1864, as well as October 10, 1864. In addition, recommending his officers for promotions falls under his responsibility as Colonel of the 39th regiment. For example, Stearns wrote a letter recommending his 1st Lieutenant for a promotion. Under Stearns as colonel, the 39th spent the majority of its time in the south, specifically in Virginia and North Carolina. The company was stationed in North Carolina in 1865. Here, in 1865, Stearns mustered-out of the service in December of