History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 61

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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The South Dakotans remained on the outpost, under fire the most of the time, day and night, until June 10th, when the order came for their relief from duty. At this time there were not more than an average of eight men to each company fully well and fit for duty. They had been on the advance in the enemy's country and on the firing line for a period of 126 days and most of the time were exposed to the elements-heavy rains and a tropical sun-and nearly the whole time were obliged to sleep in their clothes on the damp and muddy

ASOLI FENFLE

MASONIC TEMPLE, SIOUX FALLS

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ground. Their food was unsuited to the climate and the water they were obliged to drink was the cause of much of the sickness of the regiment.

It will be admitted that discipline in an army under all ordinary circum- stances is an absolute necessity. In the United States this is particularly true owing to the small regular army and on account of being obliged to accept inex- perienced and undisciplined volunteers that of necessity must be called into the service. The lack of cohesion, unity and discipline of the volunteers in every war in which the Government has been involved, from 1776 down to the present time, has proved at times a serious hindrance to success. Even during the Revolution insubordination ran riot in the continental ranks and was one of the most grievous obstacles to effective results that Washington had to overcome. It required such rigid disciplinarians as Baron Von Steuben to bring the raw colonists under even partial submission and usefulness. The same conditions ruled in the War of 1812 and even in the Mexican war, although in the latter the large number of West Point graduates worked wonders with the raw volun- teers. In the Civil war conditions were still further improved, but there was much insubordination during the early stages. These facts are referred to in the reports of Generals Logan, Sherman, Grant, Halleck, McClellan and others.

When the Spanish-American war burst forth conditions were better, because the National Guard supplied the bulk of the volunteers, but even they were far from the standard of discipline which prevailed in the regular army. The rank and file fraternized with the officers like bunk comrades and continued to do so for some time after they were mobilized at Sioux Falls. But when they went into camp at the Presidio, San Francisco, all this companionship between officers and men was abandoned and the rigid rules of the regular army were enforced. much to the disgust and chagrin of the volunteers. After they reached the Philip- pine Islands the rules were even more inflexible than they had been at San Fran- cisco, all of which was perhaps proper and necessary as a whole.

But while the above is all true there is a reverse side. Circumstances alter cases even when applied to the regular or the volunteer army. Discipline and army routine may often be advantageously altered, though it will be difficult to cause a regular officer to see this fact. It required many months before General Funston finally broke away from the adamantine army rules and began to fight the Filipinos after their own tactics. But this was after the wrongs to the volunteers on the islands had been perpetrated. It required many years of experience before the regular army was fitted to cope with the Indians of the plains and mountains in battle. Braddock's defeat was due to his insistence in marching his troops in long ranks into an Indian ambush against the protests of George Washington, who was present and who had had experience in fighting the Indians after their own guerrilla and covert fashion. When the British redcoats and the Scotch highlanders marched with splendid formation, precision and step into the defile where the Indians were known to be concealed in large numbers ready for the attack, Washington realized the fatality almost certain to befall the army, though he could not move Braddock from his belief in the impressiveness and infallibility of the solid columns. When suddenly, however, hideous and blood-curdling yells from a thousand Indians concealed in the bushes, the sharp and incessant crack of their deadly rifles and the fall of scores of dead and wounded men resulted, with not an enemy in sight upon whom to Vol. III-28

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fire, the redcoats soon became demoralized, hesitated, swerved and finally fled panic-stricken from the field, closely and hotly pursued by the yelling savages, who slaughtered everyone they could reach. Months afterward this decisive field was strewn with the wolf-mangled bodies of the really valiant British troops. Braddock was completely heart-broken and crushed and never recovered from the shock. "Who would have believed it possible?" he asked in his humil- iation and anguish. But he is not the only regular officer of history who has made such mistakes. Many similar defeats are chronicled of the contests with the Indians on the plains even down to the present time. The regular officers seem not to understand how to change or vary their rigid rules and tactics to meet the conditions of which advantage is taken by the various enemies from savage to civilized. This seems to have been the condition in the Philippines when the First South Dakota regiment was sent with other troops on this cam- paign. The Filipinos who opposed them either shot from a safe distance, or fired from light entrenchments to which were appended "get away" trenches to enable them to escape when it should become certain that the Americans were on the point of capturing their works. The object of the Filipinos was to kill as many Americans as possible and then get away, and seemingly the orders of the regular army officers were designed to aid them in their plans.

The regiment returned to Manila on June Ioth and convalesced as rapidly as possible in the camp at Santa Mesa until the 23rd, when for a time they assisted in guarding the line around Manila. The First and Third Battalions under Colonel Frost were stationed to guard the line from Baligbalig to the church at La Loma, while the Second Battalion under Major Howard was assigned to the line between the Passig River and the Deposito. On August 5th the regiment was relieved by the Twenty-fifth Infantry and directed to quarters at Manila. Five days later they were ordered to board the transports for con- veyance back to the United States. On August 12th they embarked on the Sheridan and in due time arrived in San Francisco. There they were mustered out.

To sum up, the principal engagements were as follows: Block House 4, Manila, February 4 and 5, 1899; La Loma church, February 5th ; Block House 3 and 2, February 5th; Manila trenches, February 23rd; same, February 27th ; San Francisco del Monte church, March 24th; Pulilan River, March 25th; Maycauayan, March 26th ; Marilac, March 27th; Santa Maria River, March 29th ; Guiguinto, March 29th; Santa Isabel, March 30th; Malolos, March 31st; Gui- guinto, April 1Ith; Pulilan, April 24th (first trench) ; Pulilan, April 24th (sec- ond trench) ; Calumpit, April 25th; San Tomas, May 4th; San Fernando, May 25th.

Roll of Honor: Killed in Action-Jonas H. Lien, Harvey M. Breed, Oscar Felker, James W. Nelson, Mathew N. Ryan, Harvey R. Keogh, Lewis Chase, Sidney E. Morrison, Peter Ryan, Frank A. Schroeder, Frank H. Adams, Mor- timer C. Brown, Oscar E. Johnson, Guy Jones, Horace J. McCracken, Charles Stulz, Fred E. Green, William H. Lowes, Charles W. Peterson, James A. Lizer, Harlowe DeJean, Oscar Fall. Died of Disease-Roy W. Stover, Jim Goddard, Frank S. Denison, Charles Eschels, Askle O. Eidsues, Fred C. Grennslit, Leon F. Hull, Martin C. Mortenson, Royal H. Smith, Otto J. Berg, Horace G. Mc- Cordic, Nelson B. McKeller, Judson C. Nickliam, Wilson M. Osborn, Leatis

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

A. Roberts, Irving J. Willett, Jay A. Smith, James E. Link, Arthur A. McElrath, Victor E. Schofield, Roy P. Anderson, James M. Clark, John J. Mahoney, George Stillwagon, Samuel C. Frazee, Newell E. Jenks, Olavus T. Felland, Edward Mancher, Joseph W. Whitman. Died of Wounds-John Dale, William H. May, Charles B. Preacher, William B. Smith. Drowned-Edwin A. Harting.

The story of the battles, skirmishes, campaigns and hardships from day to day was of great interest to all South Dakota. As the news of the victories was received from time to time great enthusiasm over the splendid courage of the South Dakota boys was shown in every center of population. On August 2, 1899, the ship Relief with many sick and wounded troops, of whom twenty- four were members of the First Regiment, reached San Francisco and elaborate preparations for their proper care were made. At a public meeting in the Black Hills a committee consisting of J. H. Burns, D. A. McPherson and Edwin Van Cise was appointed to receive contributions for a hospital for the sick and wounded boys. Encouraging telegrams were sent the boys from all parts of the state and preparations for their reception were made in their home towns.

On April 13, 1899, Governor Lee in an open letter to President Mckinley made the following request: "In obedience to what I believe to be the most universal wish of the people of my state I desire to request the return to the United States of the First South Dakota Volunteer Infantry, now engaged under General Otis in war against the inhabitants of the Island of Luzon." The gov- ernor afterward repeated this request several times. In July, 1899, he com- municated his views to a New York newspaper and among other things said: "The report from Manila regarding the South Dakota volunteers is no surprise for we have long known the terrible condition to which they have been reduced and have repeatedly urged the administration to have them returned home, but without effect. Their obligation to the Government closed when the treaty with Spain was ratified. Since that time their services have been used without warrant of law or justice. The administration cannot escape the responsibility of its mistaken expansion policy, for which this Government is paying so dearly with life and treasure, to say nothing of the unpardonable injustice done to a people whose only crime lies in their desire for independence and self govern- ment. I have definite knowledge that many of the volunteers realize the injus- tice of the cause for which they are forced to fight. With the rapidly growing sentiment that the expansion policy is a serious mistake and with the present conditions existing in the Philippines added to the experience of our own regi- ment, I believe but few would enlist from this state."

This request from Governor Lee for the return of the South Dakota regi- ment was based on three points: (1) That the term of enlistments had expired with the conclusion of peace; (2) that the war with Spain had ended and the regiment should be mustered out and (3) that the war against the Filipinos was a movement against their liberty and independence, and in support of the alleged territorial expansion policy of the Mckinley administration. To his request courteous replies were returned by the assistant secretary of war, who stated that the regiment would be mustered out as soon as possible after regular troops could be rushed to the islands to take their places. The Government put the question squarely before the members of the regiment and a large majority agreed to remain until their places could be taken by regular troops. They did

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

this out of pure patriotism with the object in view of enabling the Government to control the islands and of preventing the reign of anarchy certain to result should they leave before the Government troops arrived. General Otis had instructions to send them home as soon as practicable. The politicians endeav- ored to make it appear that the Mckinley administration was carrying on a war of conquest in the islands in support of its alleged expansion policy, and Gov- ernor Lee was not the only state head to take action in the matter. Governor Lind of Minnesota and perhaps others made similar requests.

That the action of the volunteers in agreeing to remain on the islands until the regulars should arrive was fully appreciated by President Mckinley is shown in many things he did at the time, but perhaps no more warmly or grace- fully than by his words on the bronze medal which was presented to the volun- teers in September, 1906, in commemoration of their voluntary services to the country after their term of enlistment had expired. The words on the medal were an extract from a cablegram dated July 1, 1899, sent to General Ohis at Manila by President Mckinley: "The President desires to express in the most public manner his appreciation of the lofty patriotism shown by the volunteers and regulars of the Eighth Army Corps in performing willing service through hård campaigns and battles against the insurgents in Luzon, when under the terms of their enlistments they would have been entitled to discharge upon the ratification of the treaty with Spain. This action on their part was noble and heroic. It will stand forth as an example of self-sacrifice and public consider- ation which has ever characterized the American soldier."

About September 7, 1899, the transport Sheridan, having on board about six hundred and fifty-two members of the First South Dakota Regiment, besides other commands, reached San Francisco. Before their arrival and immediately afterward they were the recipients of hundreds of warm and welcoming tele- grams from friends and relatives in South Dakota.

Before the First Regiment had reached San Francisco on its way home, in fact, immediately after it left the Philippines, preparations for their fitting reception were made throughout the state. Particularly, in every town which had furnished part of a company or the whole elaborate ceremonies were planned. A convention with this object in view was called at Huron and about three hundred delegates from all parts of the state were present, R. W. Stewart presiding. He stated that the expense of bringing the men home would be large and that it would have to be raised by private subscription. A committee on finance, consisting of sixteen persons, of whom F. A. Brown of Aberdeen was chairman and E. J. Miller of Huron secretary, was chosen to collect the funds. The plan adopted provided that business men should raise the money from banks on guaranteed notes made payable March I, 1901. A souvenir button was planned to be sold to help augment the fund. Hughes County was the first to raise its share of the fund-$1,000-and Brooklings County was second. Governor Lee refused to call a special session of the Legislature to appropriate money for this purpose as was suggested from many quarters of the state, because he believed the amount should be and could be raised from individual and municipal sources. In addition to the plans for a state-wide and ceremonious reception all the cities represented in the regiment made similar local preparations for the reception of their own companies. Elaborate prepara-

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tions for the reception of Company C were made at Yankton. On October 14 the boys arrived there from Aberdeen and were duly and appropriately honored by the whole population, including the G. A. R. President Mckinley was present and addressed the men in eloquent and complimentary terms. A similar recep- tion had been previously extended by the citizens of Aberdeen to the men who had gone from that city and to nearly the whole regiment, President Mckinley being also present. He spoke in the most feeling terms of the gallantry and good conduct of the First Regiment. It was said at the time that this reception cost each one of the soldiers who had come to Aberdeen the sum of $20, because they had been detained several days at San Francisco at their own expense while waiting for instructions from the reception officials as to where they should go. Later the officials announced in a public statement that about one hundred and fifty members of the regiment had come home before the others and had paid their own fare. In this announcement, dated October 25th, the committee agreed to refund such men the fare paid if they would send in their names and addresses. The reception proceedings were carried into politics, the republicans and fusionists contesting for the honor of managing the recep- tion both of the volunteers and of President Mckinley. This rivalry occasioned a humiliating squabble which was spread broadcast by the public press over the entire state and referred to with severe comment by many outside news- papers. The Black Hills conducted their own reception with enthusiasm and success and without interference or interruption from pernicious outside influences and jealousies.

From the date of their return the members of the First Regiment claimed pay and transportation from San Francisco to Sioux Falls: they were justly entitled to this amount. Many of them contended that they should be paid all their expenses from the time of leaving the Philippines until they reached Sioux Falls, the place of enlistment. By 1910, for over ten years, their claims had been before the war department, but had not been allowed. Just previous to 1910 travel pay for the regimental officers (regulars) had been allowed -- a day's pay for every twenty miles traveled. The few officers (regulars) of the regi- ment, who remained on the islands, received pay for time and expense on their way home-sums reaching in several instances about fifteen hundred dollars. All volunteer members had demanded the same allowances, but all settlement had been neglected probably with the expectation to "freeze them out," as it was declared. Finally $15,573.25 was allowed. After paying the lawyer's fees (a lawyer's services should not have been necessary) the regiment received of this amount $12,458.60. They were really entitled to $27,000.

On March 23, 1898, Melvin Grigsby, attorney-general of the state, tele- graphed to the secretary of war, offering his services and suggesting that the western cowboys would make fine volunteers and effective soldiers. He received a reply to the effect that such soldiers would be accepted if needed. Matters remained in this state until April Ist, at which time Mr. Grigsby became con- vinced that while no opposition to the formation of a cowboy regiment would be offered here, a new bill or law providing for the formation of such a regi- ment would have to be passed. In order to secure if possible the passage of such a bill, he went to Washington, arriving there on April 19. There he found everything alive and eager for the war. He consulted senators, representatives

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and war department officials, including the secretary of war and General Miles. The latter warmly favored his plans. In the consultations it was shown that should Mr. Grigsby raise such a regiment it might not be able to get into the service because first choice would be given to the National Guards. He there- fore realized that if his proposed regiment were to get into the service at all, it would be necessary to pass through Congress a special bill to that effect. Beginning in March or earlier all the states between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains had considered the advisability of raising cowboy regiments; particularly was the sentiment strong in Texas and Wyoming. In these two states and in South Dakota large numbers of cowboys signified their willing- ness and readiness to go to the front. Nothing, however, could be done until Congress should pass an act authorizing the acceptance of such commands. Later in March Senator Warren of Wyoming introduced a bill for the organiza- tion of one regiment of cowboys. This bill was independent of the volunteer army bill which had just passed the House and had been referred to the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, of which Senator Warren was a member. At once it was seen by Mr. Grigsby that it would be much easier to amend the army bill in the manner wanted than to put through a new bill. The Senate Committee on Military Affairs was in session and could not be seen by Mr. Grigsby, who thereupon secured the help of Senator Kyle, who succeeded in calling Senator Warren from the committeeroom for a conference. He was quickly told what was wanted, but at once responded, "Too late : we will report the army bill in thirty minutes." Mr. Grigsby had anticipated this emergency and had drawn up an amendment which it was desired should be attached to the army bill. This he promptly produced and showed to Senator Warren, who took it at once to the committee room, appended it to the bill, and thirty minutes later it was read in the Senate as a part of the army bill. The Grigsby amendment was as follows:

Provided further, That the President may authorize the Secretary of War to organize companies, troops, battalions or regiments possessing special quali- fication, from the nation at large, under such rules and regulation, including the appointment of the officers thereof, as may be prescribed by the secretary of war.

The bill then went back to the House, where the words "Not to exceed 3,000 men" were added to the Grigsby proviso and in that form the bill was passed by the House, approved by the Senate and became a law the same day. Immediately the secretary of war authorized the formation of three regiments of cavalry of frontiersmen possessing special qualifications as horsemen and marksmen to be designated as First, Second and Third United States Regiments of Cavalry, the First to be commanded by Colonel Leonard Wood (Theodore Roosevelt, lieutenant-colonel), the Second by Judge Torry of Cheyenne, and the Third by Melvin Grigsby of Sioux Falls. Mr. Grigsby received his appoint- ment at once as colonel of the Third and returned to Sioux Falls, arriving May 2d, and was welcomed with rapturous enthusiasm by the population of the whole city and the surrounding country. He immediately issued the following commissions : Troop A, Capt. Seth Bullock of Deadwood; Troop B, Capt. Otto L. Sues of Sioux Falls; Troop C, Capt. George E. Hair of Belle Fourche ; Troop D, Capt. John E. Hammond of Sturgis; Troop E, Capt. Robert W. Stewart of Pierre. The other troops to complete the regiment were left to be formed in other states-four in Montana, two in North Dakota and one in

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Nebraska. Otto L. Sues became adjutant and John Foster captain of Company B.

The five South Dakota troops rendezvoused at Sioux Falls from May 12th to 17th. Troops A, C and D were called the Black Hills Squadron and were commanded by Maj. Leigh H. French. The Second Squadron-Troops B and E -- were commanded by Maj. Robert W. Stewart. Joseph Binder became captain of Troop E. On May 18 orders were received to move on the 20th to Camp Chickamauga, near Chattanooga. The first detachment reached camp May 23rd and the last May 29th. Upon their departure from Sioux Falls they were given a formal farewell banquet which was attended by the city authori- ties, by the officers of the First South Dakota Regiment, by the G. A. R. and by thousands of citizens, ladies and school children. The boys encountered enthusiastic receptions at all points on their way down to Camp Chickamauga. Everybody was surprised at the mannerly and gentlemanly behavior of the "Cowboy Regiment." The newspapers had pictured them as wild, lawless and reckless riders of the ranges, with revolvers in their belts, bowie knives in their boots and lariats at their saddle bows, rough of speech, profane and ready to shoot a man on small provocation or to insult a woman regardless of decency. Great surprise was shown, therefore, when the boys were seen to be about the most well behaved and gentlemanly at the camp. But their subsequent life in camp was enough to take the spirit out of any human heart. Day after day, month after month, came the same weary routine, the same useless drudgery and the steadily increasing ravages of camp fever. What a smothering of courage for boys who were brave enough and audacious enough to walk up to the mouth of a Spanish cannon. But the gallant fellows bore their fate uncomplainingly, cheered with the hope and prospect that they might yet be called to face the enemy on the red field of war. The arrival of their horses in June was a grateful diversion and caused them for a time to forget their sore disappointments. But when in July and August one after one of the robust men sank under an attack of typhoid fever or dysentery, when the food became unbearable and when the termination of the war and the negotiations for peace showed the uselessness of their remaining longer in the service, they began to intimate that they wished to be mustered out. They did not murmur in camp, but this wish was revealed in the sorrowful letters which they wrote home. On July 30th they were moved from the old camp to the new one on the ridge --- Brotherton Field. By August 27th about one hundred and fifty of the boys were sent north on sick furlough. At this time the camp hospitals were filled with sick and convalescent soldiers. The grand reviews served merely to accentuate their miserable plight and terrible sufferings. On August 28th came the official notice or order for their muster out. From September Ist to 8th they were sent to their homes. Colonel Grigsby bade the boys farewell on the 5th and left for Sioux Falls. Upon their return they were received with great public honor and distinction by the communities whence they went forth-not to war but to the deadlier typhoid camp. The men of this regiment from the South Dakota troops, who gave up their lives during this period of service, were F. M. Gilligan, George Maclaren, W. R. Williams, A. J. Beach, W. F. Copelin, George Cassells, George Bahler, C. W. Gates and H. F. Lawrence. Scores never recovered from the effects of the camp diseases. All should be pensioned.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 61

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146