USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 5
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Eisele, Jacob L. *Eick, Benjamin ¥
June 8, 1891, June 8, 1894,
June 3, 1895.
Mch. 7, 1898,
Mch. 29, 1894. Apr. 22, 1896.
Corporal.
Feb. 9, 1899. Feb. 9, 1899. June 21, 1888, Corporal. Feb. 29, 1892, Mch. 1, 1893. Jan. 26, 1890, Sergeant. Ist Sergeant. Commissioned 2nd Lieut. Feb. 9, 1899. Feb. 19, 1894. Mch. 25, 1895. Mch. 9, 1896. Mch. 22, 1897. June 22, 1891, July 15, 1893. June 20, 1892, July 16, 1895. Corporal
71
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
Gaines, Charles N. Mch. 30, 1896.
Goodman, Harry C.
June 22, 1897.
Grove, Clarence C.
June 22, 1897.
Goltman, Harry K.
May 11, 1898, July 2, 1900.
Grey, Arthur
May 31, 1899.
Grimes, J. Leon
Jan. 8, 1900.
Haberer, John A.
Mch. 24, 1888, Oct. 31, 1889. 1st Sergeant.
Haskell, Walter N.
Mch. 24, 1888, Sergeant. Commissioned 2nd Lieut. Dec. 13, 1890.
Hall, Charles E.
Mch. 24, 1888, Corporal. S. O. No. 143, no date.
Hoover, Harry G.
Mch. 24, 1888. Oct. 29, 1889.
Hills, Edward O.
Mch. 24, 1888.
July 27, 1891.
Hess, Albert H. Mch. 24, 1888. S. O. No. 82, 1889.
Howland, Harry F.
Mch. 24, 1888, Sept. 2, 1890.
Haberly, Frank F.
Mch. 24, 1888, S. O. No. 17, 1889.
Haskell, William W.
Mch. 24, 1888, Corporal, Sergeant.
Hubbard, Charles L.
Mch. 26, 1888, S. O. No. 36, 1889.
Herrman, Charles
Jan. 21, 1889. Jan. 27, 1892. Mch. 9, 1891, May 25, 1891,
Mch. 10, 1893. June 23, 1891.
Hannan, George H. Hodges, Stewart Hessel, Carl J.
*Hoobler, Charles F.
Mch. 26, 1894, Corporal, Sergeant.
June 21, 1897, Commissioned 2nd Lieut. July 14, 1899.
Hartman, Jol·n
Sept. 10, 1894.
Feb. 28, 1898.
Harting, Frank K.
Mch. 2, 1896.
Jan. 8, 1900.
Mch. 9, 1806.
Hankinson, Harry L. Higby, Leonard O. Hubbard, Arthur G.
Mch. 16, 1896. July 17, 1896,
Transferred to band, no date.
Hess, Fred Mch. 31, 1898, Corporal, Sergeant.
Heathcoate, William Havens, George
Feb. 7, 1899, Feb. 8, 1899, Feb. 9, 1899. May 20, 1899.
July 2, 1900. Corporal, Sergeant. Corporal.
Haberle, Edward E. Heaton, Francis lloover, Ben H.
Jan. 8, 1900.
Hoover, Harry Il. Jan. 8, 1900.
Hoover, Arthur G. May 21, 1900,
Jan. 16, 1893.
72
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I. AND E.
Hartman, Andrew Husler, Fred
*Isherwood, Earl 66
Feb. 21, 1901. Apr. 30, 1901. Nov. 11, 1889. Jan. 23, 1893.
*Isherwood, George W. June 25, 1891, July 15, 1897. Ingersoll, Frank B. 16
Johnson, J. Stanley *Johnson, Edwin S.
May 31, 1889, Feb. 20, 1893, Apr. 9, 1894. Apr. 15, 1898. May 31, 1889, Oct. 30, 1893, June 11, 1894.
Corporal, Sergeant. 1st Sergeant.
Commissioned 2nd Lient. Nov. 12, 1894.
Jenkins, Alfred K. Johnson, Earl A.
Johnson, Milton
Johnson, Charles S.
Apr. 27, 1896, June, 1893.
Johnson, Charles A.
Mch. 31, 1898. Feb. 6, 1899. Feb. 6, 1899. Feb. 8, 189'3, Feb. 14, 1899.
July 2, 1900.
Jackson, Merton R.
Johnson, Fred A. Feb. 27, 1899.
Jamison, Paul R. Apr. 30, 1901.
*Kline, John L. Mch. 24, 1888, Appointed Hospital Stew- ard, no date.
Kilgour, Cassius M.
Mch. 18, 1889, July 18, 1894.
Kissel, George B. May 20, 1889,
Kelsey, William H. Nov. 11, 1889. Jan. 30, 1893, Sept. 1, 1890,
Feb. 10, 1894. May 22, 1894.
Apr. 22, 1896.
Mch. 16, 1898. Corporal.
Kromer, George J.
Kahl, Ernest Apr. 27, 1896.
Kadel, William W. June 22, 1897.
Kent, George G. Apr. 30, 1901.
Lawrie, William F. Mch. 24, 1888, Commissioned 2nd Lieut.
Llewellyn, David Lee, John H.
Mch. 24, 1888.
Mch. 17, 1890.
Lee, Daniel W.
Apr. 30, 1894:
June 21; 1897,
Musician. S. O. No. 109, 1889.
Koberstine, Henry W. *Kochersperger, John P. Feb. 5, 1894, *Kauffman, Fred W. July 2 1894, Keeney, H. Ezra July 15, 1895, Feb. 24, 1896,
Mch. 22. 1898. Aug. 3, 1896.
Dec. 20, 1888.
66
Mch. 31, 1898. Aug. 20, 1900. Mch. 24, 1888, Mch. 10, 1890.
Oct. 18, 1890.
May 18, 1894.
Jackson, Arthur E. Jackson, William D. Jones, Richard O.
73
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
LeFevre, Harry F. June 11, 1894.
June 21, 1897, Mch. 22, 1898.
LeFevre, Edwin W.
Mch. 23, 1896, Transferred to Cc. D. June 15, 1897.
Lingel, William J. Mch. 30. 1896.
Lingel, Bert
Apr. 27, 1896.
Lyle, Guy H.
July 7, 1898,
Limerick, John G, July 17, 1896,
Transferred to band, no date.
Laland, Charles E.
Mch. 12, 1898.
Little, Harry R.
Mch. 28, 1898
Aug. 1, 1899.
Lund, William C.
May 11, 1898, Bugler.
Latherow, Walter
Feb. 8, 1899.
Lindsley, Calvin A.
May 20, 1899. Feb. 21, 1901.
Mangan, Samuel T.
Mch. 24, 1888. Sergeant.
Apr. 20, 1891, May 22, 1894.
Mangan, William F.
Apr. 27, 1891.
Mangan, E. J.
Mch. 24, 1888, May 23, 1890.
Mangan, R. L.
Mch. 24, 1888.
Apr. 20, 1891, May 22, 1894.
Myer, Adam B.
Mch. 24, 1888.
June 22, 1891, May 14, 1892.
May 28, 1888.
Murphy, William H. Miller, Herman T. June 27, 1887, Co. B. Transferred to Co. E S. O. No. 171, 1888. Dis- charged S. O. No. 82, 1889
Myers, Kahler
May 28, 1889, Aug. 5, 1892.
Manahan, Samuel A.
Mch. 30, 1891. May 14, 1892.
Miller, Henry
May 9, 1892, Aug. 27, 1894.
Mch. 10, 1893.
Meyers, Lee D.
Mch. 16, 1896.
Morrison, Alfred G. Moore, Louis E. Mc Neil, R. B.
June 22, 1897, June 22, 1900.
Mangers, Charles J.
June 22, 1897, Nov. 10, 1899. Corporal. May 20, 1899. July 1, 1900.
Mangan, Clarence L.
Feb. 15, 1901.
Niles, John W. Mch. 24, 1888, Commissioned Captain this
date.
Newton, William A. May 11, 1891, May 22, 1894. Newton, James H. Apr. 18, 1892, Julo 15, 1893.
Mueller, Ernest
Mch. 30, 1896.
Mead, Clyde W.
Transferred to band, no date.
Landier, Herman
Mch. 24, 1888, Corporal.
74
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
*Nellen, Edward W. July 2, 1894.
Nelms, William W. July 1, 1900.
Osmer, Sydney C. Mch. 24, 1888, Mch. 10, 1890.
*Overholser, S. Guy May 20, 1889, 66 July 18,1892,
Corporal, Sergeant. Battalion Sergeant
Major. No date.
66
Mch. 22, 1897.
Osborn, Harper
May 4, 1891,
Mch. 10, 1893.
Over, Charles B.
July 15, 1895.
O'Hair, John
May 1, 1899.
Onken, Anthony
May 15, 1899.
Onken, George Feb. 3, 1901.
Pierce, Clarence
Mch. 26, 1888, June 2. 1888.
Pratt, George F.
May 28, 1888,
Oct. 15, 1890.
Perry, Gentz May 15, 1890,
Sept. 2, 1890.
Palmer, W. Carl
Oct. 20, 1890,
July 15, 1893.
Parks, Lucius W.
June 8, 1891,
*Patton, Louis R. June 18, 1892, July 27, 1895.
*Perry, William H.
Apr. 30, 1894,
June 25, 1897.
*Phelps, W. Walter Pippert, Henry C.
June 23, 18.95.
Pigg, James W.
Apr. 13, 1896.
Palmer, Wilbert M.
July 7, 1896,
Transferred to band, no date.
Payson, William E. Feb. 7, 1899,
Enlisted in U. S. Army May 2, 1899.
Partridge, Harry G.
Feb. 3, 1901.
Rock, Edwin S. Mch. 24, 1888,
Ramsey, Hugh Il.
May 25, 1888,
July 18, 1892. Corporal, Ser- geant.
Rood, Warren A.
May 28, 1888, S. O. No. 87, 1889.
Rich, John H.
May 5, 1890,
July 15, 1893.
Reed, John A. May 25, 1891.
*Ridenour, Frank J. June 11, 1894.
Round, George Mch. 2, 1896.
Roland, Robert R.
Apr. 20, 1896.
Reap, William
Mch. 30, 1898,
Ramsdall, Charles D.
May 15, 1899.
Stoddard, Fred R.
Mch. 24, 1888, Corporal, Sergeant.
Apr. 27, 1891, May 22, 1894.
Shumaker, Charles N, Mch. 24, 1888, July 5, 1888. Smith, Jesse
Mch. 24, 1888. June 1, 1891, Mch. 1, 1893.
66
Dec. 18. 1893.
Mch. 25, 1895.
Apr. 30, 1894, June 25, 1897.
75
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
Smith, Robert E.
Mch. 26, 1888.
Snavely, John M.
June 4, 1888, Oct. 18, 1890.
Sturtz, C. E.
July 30, 1888.
Stroup, George O.
Oct. 14, 1889, Mch. 3, 1893.
Strock, W. Chester *St. John. Burton, St. John, Thomas E. *Shultz, O. B.
May 11, 1891. Apr. 18, 1892, May 9, 1892,
July 16, 1895.
Mch. 10, 1893.
June 4, 1892, July 16, 1895.
*Strock, Linnis L. Sayers, William II. *Sheldon, Leslie C.
Feb. 5, 1894, Mch. 5, 1894. June 21, 1897. Oct. 14, 1895,
Mch. 6, 1899.
Struckman, Win. C.
Oct. 14, 1895.
Shafer, Harry'
Feb. 24, 1895.
Sheldon, Charles F.
Mch. 2, 1896,
Mch. 22, 18:8.
Smith, Frank W.
¥ .“
Mch. 16, 1896, May 21, 1899.
Shumaker, Iliram W. July 17, 1896, Transferred to band no
Soules, H. Arthur
June 22, 1897.
Street, Albert L.
Mch. 7, 1898,
Stoner, Claude R.
Mch. 31, 1893.
Smith, Edward A.
Mch. 31, 1898.
schaub, William H.
Mch. 31, 1898.
Slade, George
May 15. 1898, Nov. 6, 1899.
Scott, Harry A.
June 14, 1898.
Sneed, Burt J.
Feb. 6, 1899, Corporal.
Sneed, Fred W.
Feb. 8, 1899, Corporal.
Sampson, John Shank, Andrew
Aug. 20, 1900. Sept. 20, 1900.
Shumaker, Harry E.
Apr. 30, 1901.
June 23, 1888, S. O. No. 36, 1889.
Mch. 8, 1894.
Thomas, William H. *Taylor, Frank II.
Triggs, Alpheus
Feb. 23, 1891, Dec. 11, 1893, July 8, 1895. Feb. 27, 1899. Jan. 6, 1896. May 15, 1899.
Mch. 8, 1894.
Apr. 22, 1896. Corporal.
Trefz, Julius Thorne, George
Thompson, Lloyd E. Troste, Samuel D. Apr. 30, 1901.
May 20, 1899, Corporal.
Apr. 22, 1896.
Strock, John F.
Nov. 16, 1892,
Mch. 16, 1896.
date.
Corporal, Sergeant.
Tumbleson, Charles F. "
Feb. 23. 1891, July 30, 1894,
76
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Van Horne, E. Burt Mch. 20, 1888 Corporal, Sergeant.
"
66 Apr. 20, 1891, May 9, 1894. July 8, 1895, July 15, 1896.
VanDrew, Clarence Apr. 1, 1899.
Verbeck, Clarence
Aug. 20, 1900.
Woods, Rollin H.
Mch. 24, 1888, S. O. No. 118, 1891. Corpor- al, Sergeant.
Woodworth, Clarence Mch. 24, 1888, Apr. 14, 1890. Corporal.
Williams, Albert W.
Mch. 24, 1888,
Apr. 14, 1890.
Williams, B. Frank 66 "
Mch. 24, 1888, Corporal.
Apr. 13, 1891
Mch. 24, 1888, May 1, 1889.
Winters, James C. Williams, Grant U. Williams, Jacob 4
.June 4, 1888, May 16, 1889. June 27, 1892.
Oct. 7, 1888.
*Wagley, Frank E. May 22, 1889, Corporal, Sergeant.
July 11, 1892.
Dec. 18, 1893.
Dec. 18, 1893.
* Wildasin, Joshua
66
*Wahl, J. Frank 66
June 29, 1891.
Weaver, A. L.
June 27, 1892, Oct. 23, 1893.
Wright, Frank S. Feb. 13, 1893. *Woodyatt, Arthur H. Feb. 13, 1893,
Corporal.
Mch. 16, 1897.
*Ward, Frank J. Wagley, Fred E. Wroten, Frank Woodard, John
June 18, 1894, June 25, 1897. Aug. 27, 1894. Oct. 1, 1894, Mch. 16, 1898. July 8, 1895, Apr. 22, 1896. Jan. 27, 1896. Apr. 13, 1896.
Watson, A. II.
Wahl, Albert A.
May 20, 1899. Mch. 12, 1897.
Wilkinson, Lee P.
Winters, Carl Mch. 21, 1898, Corporal.
Wright, Fred F, Walch, Jeremiah Feb. 9, 1899.
Mch. 28, 1898, May 2, 1899.
Wise, Albert Aug. 20, 1900.
Mch. 2, 1891, Corporal, Sergeant. July 8, 1895. Sept. 28, 1896. May 25, 1891, Corporal, Sergeant,
Mch. 25, 1895, Commissioned 2nd Lieut. June 18, 1897.
Wetzel, John G.
Mch. 9, 1896,
I. N.G.
COL. C. E. BLEYER, Aide-de Camp,
77
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
CHAPTER VII.
THE SIXTH REGIMENT BAND. ITS ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY BRIEFLY TOLD.
It is to be much regretted that a more complete and detailed history of this organization was not obtained as, in the position it has held for the past five years and connected as it is with the Sixth Regiment Illinois Na- tional Guards, its members are highly esteemed by the enlisted men of the regiment and comrades they are in every sense of the word. More especially is this true of its members and the men of companies I and E. Com- bined they represent Whiteside County in the ranks of the State troops of Illinois. The tie of comradeship which binds them together is stronger and more lasting than that which connects them with the men of the re- mainder of the regiment which is lacking in the feeling of friendship arising from personal acquaintances exist- ing among the band boys and the boys of I and E. For this reason every available fact was eagerly grasped and recorded. aiming to make this history and the history of those who may have served the State from Whiteside County as complete and entire as possible.
Very little can be related, with which the reader is not familiar. concerning the Sixth Regiment Band, pos-
4.
78
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
sibly better known as the Keystone of Sterling. It was organized in Rock Falls, Ill., during the year of 1872 under the leadership of Freeman D. Rosebrook. Not long after the organization was perfected John Kadel became its leader and under this efficient management the band became famous as a musical organization even beyond the borders of our own State.
It has long been recognized as one of the most accom - plished organizations of its kind in the State and its members have every reason to be proud of its thirty years of honorable record. .
Director Kadel retired in the summer of 1896 and the guiding reins were placed in the hands of Professor F. C. Nixon. The headquarters were removed across the river and it became a Sterling organization where it has since remained.
During the same year it entered the service of the State as official band of the Sixth Regiment, Illinois Na- tional Guards, which position it retains today. At every annual encampment of State troops the band is found marching at the head of the regiment, a position of hon- or. In the commodious band stand erected on the grounds, nightly concerts are given, which are very pleasing to the tired soldiers and hundreds of visitors, who throng the spacious camp grounds. But to be seen at its best and to be fully appreciated, one should view and hear the band during dress parade, in which it takes a very prominent part.
The regiment is usually formed in double rank, ex- tending in one continuous line nearly the full length of the parade grounds. The Colonel and his staff take their position on the opposite side of the grounds in front of and facing the regiment. In the rear and to the right
79
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
and left of the Colonel. the open field is black with the mass of visiting citizens, who congregate regularly to witness the most pleasing and attractive feature in the drill of the infantry troops. After a short drill in the mannal of arms and the officers are instructed for the fol- lowing day, the band, from its position on the right of the column. enforced by the bugle corps, moves forward about fifty paces, makes a half turn to the left and in full view of every one present marches the entire length of the line of motionless men in blue and, countermarch- ing returns to its original position, keeping step. with a long swinging stride to the music, of a lively march, of its own production. The bugle corps sounds "retreat" and as the last echoes of the clear and resonant notes die away in the surrounding hills. the evening gun booms forth the soldiers good night. the band strikes up the animating notes of the national air. "The Star Spangled Banner," the reclining figures quickly arise. come to an "attention" and bare their heads to a man, old glory which has floated proudly from the tall flagstaff through- ont the day is slowly lowered to the ground and put a- way until another sunrise.
For a brief moment, quiet. verging on painfulness. reigns over the scene and everyone is motionless as a statue.
The shades of night are falling. The shadows in the neighboring woods lengthen and become deeper and more indistinct. Not a sound is heard to mar the effect of the last sweet strains of melody as it floats softly o'er the green sward, touching a responsive chord in every heart. filling the breast of every one present with a fire and zeal experienced only on such occasions and difficult to portray
80
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I. AND E.
Surely it is an inspiring moment. As those men stand with heads uncovered, doing homage to a great nation, an indescribable sense of pride and pleasure steals over them. They are proud with the thought that the em- blem of liberty and freedom, which was that moment lowered from view, and which was purchased and has been protected by the hearts blood of so many of our countrymen, was their flag: proud of the fact that they are children of this great union of states and citizens of this grand old state of Illinois, which gave to us such patriots as Abraham Lincoln. Ulysses S. Grant and John A. Logan, and pleased that they are privileged to serve that State even in the humble capacity of an ob- scure member of the National Guard, and in that mo- ment they feel they have received full recompense for the many hours of tiresome work given at home that they might be present at this time. The little child standing by the mothers side is strangely affected and looks wonderingly up into her face all unconscious that he is receiving the first lessons in the teachings of patri- otism and love of country, but the seed is sown and an impression is made on that young mind, never to be for- gotten.
The tension is relaxed and with one accord hats are replaced and all is bustle and confusion. Hoarse com- mands are given and repeated, the regiment is formed into a column of companies, the band takes its position in the front and they pass in review before the command- ing officer of the regiment and the public, each company vieing with the others in an attempt to preserve a solid front and an unwavering line. They then return to their quarters, the days duties are over.
To the onlooker it is a beautiful scene and one long to
.
USY
MAJOR A. T. TOURTILLOTT Sixth Infantry.
81
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
be remembered. With each generation arising among such scenes and receiving the teachings of such lessons on every hand from early childhood to manhood, who can ever doubt the integrity of our country; who can even imagine the time to come when the stars and stripes will lie trampled in the dust and our people humbled by defeat? Not you or I. nor our children or our children's children. Centuries must elapse before such a wonderful change could take place.
An Englishman. making a tour of the United States. while riding across the country one day made the ac- quaintance of an elderly gentleman, who was sitting in the seat beside him. The conversation drifted to inter- national affairs and to the matter of the mere l andful of soldiers which represented our standing army. The Englishman put the question to the old gentleman "If difficulties should arise with a foreign country and troops called for, where would you get your soldiers ?" Point- ing out through the car window to where a half a dozen men were working in the fields. the old gentleman re- plied "If war came upon us and a call for troops was made, at least five of that half dozen men would throw down their tools and hurry to the nearest recruiting sta- tion and so it would be all over our land." "But can they fight" queried the Englishman. "It was such men as those that made it possible for us to whip you twice," replied the old man "and if we ever get into trouble with you again, we will go over to your country, put a rope on that little island of yours and tow it back home with us." At that the Englishman excused himself and moved up to the next car.
A regiment of soldiers without_a band may be com- pared to a horse whose driver has lost his whip. He
82
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
may plod along in a manner but the moment the lash is regained and begins to tickle his back he takes a new lease on life. pricks up his ears, arches his neck and stepping high completes the journey at race horse speed. So it is with the soldier. He may be ever so weary, and his thoughts wandering far from his immediate surroundings, but the instant the band strikes the first note the spirit which lies dormant, awakens, and he is again the animated, watchful soldier with the welfare of his country uppermost in his mind and he moves about with a free step and light heart.
In time of service, or should the regiment get into action, the duties of the members of the band are to as- sist the hospital corps in aiding and caring for the wounded.
When the call for troops came and the Sixth regiment was ordered to Camp Tanner for service in war. the band boarded the train and reported for duty but unfort- unately there were no provisions made for a band organ- ization in the volunteer regiments. In Governor Tan- ner's instructions from Secretary of War, R. A. Alger, he was advised that "bands will be organized from the strength of the regiments as in the regular army." Thus it will be seen that it could not be mustered into the government service as a whole, and on May Ist nearly all of the band returned to their homes. John Prestine and Fred Fortes remained at Springfield and organized a volunteer band from the enlisted men of the regiment who were detailed from the different com- panies for this duty. John Prestine was appointed Chief Musician and Fred Forbes was made principal musician.
Upon the muster-out of the volunteer service and the return home of the Sixth Regiment, the Sterling band
.
83
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
naturally assumed its former position with comrade Prestine as leader.
The three years following have been years of con- tinued success and while in attendance at Camp Lincoln during the last tour of duty it gave ample proof of its abilities, each man is an artist and a credit to the regi- ment.
In the years to come, bringing with them the many inevitable changes. may the good wishes of the men of the regiment follow the members of the band as stead- fastly as has the kindly feeling which has existed in the eventful years past.
PART II.
UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER SERVICE, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR OF 1898.
CHAPTER I.
ANXIOUS DAYS
By far the most interesting epoch in the history of the Illinois National Guard occurred during the period cov- ering their services as U. S. Volunteers in the Spanish American War of 1898.
The causes which led up to this war are familiar to all. The long and determined struggle for freedom, of the people of the Island of Cuba has gone down in history. Under Spanish rule they had been bled by taxation for hundreds of years. They had been tyran- ized and made to suffer indignations beyond all human endurance. The Governor Generals of the island were selected by the government of the mother country, Spain, apparently for their cruelty. For this quality they were world renowned and they practiced it upon these help- less people un-relentlessly, year after year, crushing and grinding them into veritable slavery, in the hopes of thus keeping their spirit broken and allowing no opportunity
88
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
to arise giving the people a foothold whereby they could make a stand for themselves. But Spain's efforts were fruitless and with a mere handful of loyal soldiers, under able leadership the Cubans made such headway as to attract the attention of the civilized nations of the world.
The loss of the island meant much to the Spanish government. The revenues derived from the system of robbery, hidden. under the name of taxation, inaugu- rated years ago and rigidly adhered to, could not well be spared at this time and every effort was made to frus- trate the object of the people of the sunny isle.
As the war dragged on and on with no prospect of its immediate close, and the funds of the Spanish govern- ment grew more depleted and her national credit more weak, her worst fears were aroused and a policy of butchery and criminal warfare was determined upon and put into practice, never before credited to a civilized na- tion.
The indignation of the American people knew no bounds. Within a few hours ride of the shores of our own fair land, at our very door, were a people imbibed with the same spirit shown by our fore-fathers in "76," fighting against great odds, for an object no less noble than did those of the immortal Washington's time, de- termined to suffer death to the last man or secure their independence.
Helplessly, they saw their homes pillaged and de- stroyed, their wives and families taken from them and driven like cattle, corralled and guarded by the thou- sands, to have insults heaped upon them without stint and to die from starvation in such numbers as to make the beautiful island reek with the stench of the decay- ing, unburied bodies of unfortunate men women and
WM. F. LAWRIE, Capt. Co E, Sixth Inf., Vol. Present Rank, Major 6th Inf., Ill. N. G.
89
THE WAR CLOUD.
children.
With these heartrending scenes transpiring before their very eyes, with the loss of all that makes life beau- tiful and worth the living, these men became more deep- ly imbued with the spirit of freedom and a firm deter- mination to give their all to the cause, to die fighting for a principle which must be recognized the world over as just and right, and they fought with the desperation of a wounded beast driven in a corner. Spain was as fully determined that success should never crown the efforts of the revolutionists and Spanish soldiers were poured into the island by thousands. The cruelties were in- creased, if such could be, and nothing left undone, no stone remained unturned which could aid in suppressing the insurrection.
Reports of this system of crime and butchery came to us daily. Sitting by the fireside in our peaceful homes, thinking of the sufferings of the Cuban people in their unequal fight, the history of our own country was brought vividly to the fore. The privations and suffer- ings those brave men endured that we might be a free and independent people, expanding and developing into the grandest, and most liberal country on earth, and how in the darkest hour the noble Frenchmen came to our aid and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Ameri- cans, they fought the war to a successful termination.
The spirit of independence which glowed in the breast of the redoubtable "minute man" of 1776 was inherited and fostered by the generations following and they could not stand idly by and see this wanton destruction con- tinued without making a vigorous protest. But Spain would not listen to us. She reckoned without her host. Our people were getting restless and uncontrollable.
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