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Spanish American War
1898
The SPANISH–AMERICAN WAR was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, the result of American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. American attacks on Spain's Pacific possessions led to involvement in the Philippine Revolution and ultimately to the PHILIPPINE–AMERICAN WAR.
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1898 Parade Honoring Returning Spanish-American War Veterans
1898
TROOP TRAIN LEAVING TOWN
may be only such photo known
WAR BULLETINS,
Spanish-American War, Daily Times
Corner Main
and First, 101 E Main
Eugene
Killian, E. J. Schoolcraft, J. W. Cruger
1898
04 06 WAR WITH SPAIN COMING
The numerous resolutions for open declaration of war or intervention
by force to drive Spain out of Cuba which have been offered in both house and
senate, leave little doubt that within a week, unless peace is before then
absolutely assured, we shall be at war with Spain. But this is a Republican administration, and
the house is Republican, and whatever is done on this question will be
originated by Republicans. Of this there
is not the shadow of a doubt. It has
been definitely decided by a caucus of Republicans of the house. WR
04 06 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
The situation as regards the relations between Spain and the
United States is the same this morning as it has been for several days. The climax, it is expected, will be reached
this afternoon, when the president sends his message to congress. It is forecasted that the message will
recommend armed intervention to stop the outrages of Spain in Cuba, but
recognition of the Cuban republic will not be urged. A split in congress is likely to occur over
such recommendations, as many members, it is thought, will not stop at anything
short of absolute recognition of Cuban independence. War with Spain seems very probable. WR
04 13 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ACTED UPON
The President's message regarding the Spanish and Cuban
situation, delivered to Congress Monday, will be acted upon today. It is expected that the foreign relations
committees of the house and senate, to whom it was referred, will introduce
resolutions by which the president will be authorized, directed and empowered
to intervene at once to restore peace on the island of Cuba and secure to the
people thereof a firm, stable and independent government of their own, and to
use the army and navy forces of the United States to secure this end. A unanimous stand by congress in support of
such recommendation is looked for. WR
04 20 SYSTEM OF ID FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE KILLER
The war department will adopt a system of identification of those
who may fall in battle in Cuba. The
experience of the late war showed that many men who were killed were subsequently
buried by men of other organizations, and that the means of identification were
oftentimes lacking. This accounts for
the innumerable unmarked graves in the national cemetery. The sad circumstance has suggested to the
military authorities the necessity of establishing a method by which these men
of the volunteer and regular force who are sent to Cuba may be identified after
death. The plan likely to be adopted is
to issue an aluminum tag to each man, which will be suspended about the neck
under the clothing.
This tag will bear the numeral of which each name on the rolls
will be assigned, and will also bear the company and regiment of which the
wearer belongs. In this way
identification is a simple matter. WR
04 27 COMPANY ORGANIZED
Sheriff E. J. Labuwi has organized
a company of volunteers at Juneau, whose services will be offered to the
government in case they are needed in the war with Spain . . . WR
During Saturday night some patriotic
wag rigged up a row-boat after the style of a United States man-of-war and
anchored it in the river near the Hartig brewery,
where, with "Old Glory" waving proudly above it, it majestically
swayed on the waves and greeted the eye of passers-by on Sunday. The craft was armed with a small cannon. It is reported that the boat belongs to
Andrew Roegner, and that it was loaned from a repair
shop.
While at Ripon last week Colonel Solliday
purchased a fine saddle horse for use when called to the front. Captain Moulding
made a like purchase here Saturday from B. Lee Blanchard, of Oconomowoc. Both horses commanded good prices. The Colonel's steed can single-step at a
four-minute gait. WR
04 27 WAR NEWS POSTED BY DAILY TIMES
[same date] Great interest has
been manifested here the past week in the state of affairs existing between our
country and Spain, and the bulletins of war news received and posted by The Daily Times have been eagerly
sought. When the first grave realization
of war was at hand Saturday, the sterling American patriotism of our people
cropped out and the stars and stripes were liberally exposed to the
breeze. In the evening large crowds
gathered on the post office corner, the Sinnissippi
band played inspiring music, several volleys were fired from guns and a number
of cannon crackers were exploded. The
scenery minded the older residents of the stirring times thirty-seven years
ago.
Saturday morning :Lieutenant
Colonel Albert Solliday, of the Second regiment, and
Captain F. C. Moulding, first assistant surgeon of
the same regiment, were ordered by Adjutant-General Boardman to pack up and
hold themselves in readiness to join their command at a moment's notice. The gentlemen complied with the request,
arranged their business and private affairs, and were ready to respond to their
country’s call in the afternoon. Thus
far the final orders have not been received but they may come at any moment.
04 27 EXCITEMENT IN JOHNSON CREEK
[same date] Great excitement
prevails in Johnson Creek over the war news and last night a public
demonstration was participated in by a large body of citizens and
students. Provided with torch lights and
headed by a drum corps they marched through the principal streets shouting and
singing patriotic songs. A beautiful
Cuban flag five feet by eight feet, made by a young lady, was carried by the
side of the stars and stripes in the procession. WR
04 27 LIEUTENANT COLONEL OF U.S. VOLUNTEERS
[same date] The President has decided to appoint Theodore
Roosevelt of New York, at present assistant secretary of the navy, to be a
lieutenant colonel of United States volunteers, to serve in a regiment of
cowboys and mounted riflemen to be raised by Mr. Roosevelt and Dr. Wood, the
President's family physician, who is now in the medical department of the
regular army. Dr. Wood will be colonel
of the regiment.
Theodore Roosevelt has resigned as assistant secretary of the navy
to take effect at the President's convenience after the commencement of active
military operations.
05 04 YOUTHFUL PATRIOTISM
Youthful patriotism seems
rampant in the city and is evidenced almost daily. A company of enthusiastic First ward lads,
equipped with wooden guns and headed by a drum corps, has made several
demonstrations during, the past week by marching through the streets. Were they old enough it is very likely that
they would respond to their country's call with alacrity . . .
The Whitewater Register suggests that the true patriotism of the people
of each state who are not actively enlisted as fighters for their country could
be magnificently shown by contributions to a fund for the building of
representative battle ships as gifts to the nation, thus greatly increasing our
strength and resources on the waters. A
capital idea. Start the ball rolling,
Mr. Register. We are sure the venture
would be grandly successful. WR
05 04 GENERAL CALL TO ARMS
[same date] Last Thursday was a notable day in the annals of
Wisconsin soldiery. Aside from the Milwaukee
riots and one or two minor affairs, the day marked the first general call to
arms in the state since the rebellion.
In cities producing military organizations great excitement was created
by the order of Governor Scofield for the troops to mobilize at Camp Harvey,
near Milwaukee, and all along the routes traversed by the troops in reaching
the camp patriotism and enthusiasm cheered the volunteers on their journey.
Watertown was no exception to the rule and rendered its share of
encouragement in a truly patriotic manner.
At 9:18 a.m. Lieut. Col. Albert Solliday and
Assistant Surgeon Moulding, of the Second Regiment,
departed for camp. A large number of
citizens were at the St. Paul depot to bid the officers God-speed, and with the
stirring news of the morning, considerable excitement prevailed. Mayor Mulberger was
among the crowd and being called for said a few appropriate words of
parting. At the same time the boys from
here who joined the First Regiment Band departed for Madison and they were also
given a rousing send off by their friends.
WR
05 18 CAMP THOMAS
Chickamauga Park, Ga. -— The Third Wisconsin regiment reached Camp
Thomas this morning, the first section arrived at Chickamauga at 8:30
o'clock. It had the honor to be the second
infantry regiment to arrive, the first having been the First Ohio regiment,
which arrived yesterday afternoon. The
First Ohio cavalry preceded the infantry by several hours.
The three sections of the Wisconsin train arrived in Chattanooga
last night, and on account of the lack of room at Camp Thomas laid in the yard
all night. At 5:30 reveille was sounded
and officers and men had an opportunity to secure breakfast before the start
was made for the park. At 6:30 the train
pulled out and in two hours it was in the park.
The run of fourteen miles took that time because of the many stops that
had to be made for trains coming from the park.
Wisconsin boys made a record at unloading. The Ohio troops had been in all night and at
8 o'clock were not unloaded. Five
minutes after the Wisconsin train stopped the cars were empty. The troops were drawn up on the side of the
track to await the other sections, which came up in a little while. Immediately upon his arrival Col. Moore
reported to Gen. Brooke, in command of the volunteer forces. The colonel reported that he had a full
regiment equipped with tentage and fifteen days'
provisions; one battalion was on the ground and the others could be unloaded in
five minutes after their arrival. Gen.
Brooke was surprised and pleased by Col. Moore's report. WR
05 18 PROPRIETORS OF RAILWAY EATING HOUSES
[same date] Here is a little incident which reveals the
characteristics of two men that are proprietors of railway eating houses. One charges a soldier responding to a call to
the front twice as much for a cup of coffee as he does for civilians while the
other gives the soldier coffee and lunch without charge. It must it be said that one is a Spanish
sympathizer, while the other is a true man and a patriot. We quote from The Oconomowoc Republican in its reference to the recent journey of
the state militia to Milwaukee: The trip
was made without incident worthy of mention, except perhaps the fact that the
generous proprietor of the lunch counter at Portage charged the soldiers twenty
cents for a cup of coffee and ten cents for a sandwich, while coffee and lunch
were served free at Watertown. — Columbus
Democrat.
05 25 QUOTATION FOR LARGE ORDER OF RYE FLOUR
Some large orders for breadstuffs are being placed in these times of war
at high prices. The Globe Milling
company has given quotations to a Pittsburgh firm on a 6,000-barrel lot of rye
flour, the magnitude of which may be realized when it is known that the
company’s plant would require five weeks to mill the order. WR
05 25 HOW FARMERS WILL RECEIVE WAY NEWS
[same date] Farmers who live
near the tracks of the big railroad lines are to get the latest war news by
means of train signals. The flags to be
used and the key to the signals will be as follows: United States flag, a
victory for the American land forces; United States flag with a blue pennant
above a victory for the American navy; parti-colored flag, a victory for the
Spanish land forces; parti-colored flag with a blue pennant above it, a victory
for Spain on the sea. It is said the
signal service wil1 be general on the railroads throughout the country within a
month. WR
05 25 PICTURE IN QUENTMEYER'S SHOW WINDOW
[same date] A beautiful picture
displayed in A. Quentmeyer's show window attracts considerable
attention from passersby. It typifies
the uprising of the American people in the cause of liberty and was inspired by
the existing conditions regarding Cuba.
Mr. Quentmeyer is taking subscriptions for the
picture at $1 apiece. The money thus
secured is to be sent to a New York publishing house, which has launched this
scheme to raise $1,000,000 for the Red Cross society and the Central Cuban
Relief committee appointed by President McKinley, in aid of the starving Cubans
and sick and wounded soldiers. The
publishing house has selected merchants throughout the country to take
subscriptions for the picture and it is desired that the fund be raised
immediately. Each subscription is really
considered a donation of $1 to the fund and the picture is sent as a
souvenir. An earnest appeal for
subscriptions is made to all patriotic citizens. WR
06 01 ROUGH RIDERS AND THEIR HORSES
Thursday night a special train of sixteen cars passed through
this city over the St. Paul road carrying the South Dakota rough riders and
their horses to the front. WR
06 01 WATERTOWN COMPANY FORMED
The work of enlisting a military company here is progressing
finely, some sixty names being on the roles at present. The projectors expect that Watertown will be
represented by a company in the quota apportioned to Wisconsin in President
McKinley's second call for 75,000 volunteers.
WR
06 01 CAMP THOMAS, CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GA.
"Bread, or no drill" is the shibboleth of the
entire Third and one-half the Second battalion of the Second Wisconsin
regiment. Today at noon mess, without
the slightest announcement of their intentions, the volunteer companies of
Ashland, Oconto, Marinette, Beaver Dam, Manitowoc and Co. F. of Oshkosh threw
down their tin dishes and refused either to eat or drill until better rations
were provided. All kept their word and
ate no dinner. There is a spirit of mutiny against hard tack and bacon constituting
the bill of fare. In fact it has come to
such a pass that only one of the two could be provided for the Manitowoc and
one or two other companies on three or four occasions. The six companies were not given
opportunities to refuse to drill this afternoon owing to immense down-pouring of
rain so long needed. WR
06 08 INVESTIGATE DESTRUCTION OF BATTLESHIP MAINE
Senator Chandler from the committee on naval affairs today
made a report to the Senate on the resolution passed on February 21 last,
directing the investigation into the destruction of the battleship Maine. The committee say that in view of the
careful inquiry by the naval court and that which was later made by the Senate
committee on foreign relations, they deem an investigation by the naval
committee unnecessary and have therefore made none. WR
07 27 A GUERRILLA EDEN
Now that war is actually upon us and it is definitely known
that the brunt of the great conflict will be fought in and about Cuba, the
interest of the American reading public naturally centers on accounts of the
country to which our men are marching – and from which many will never
return. The dangers of guerrilla warfare
in the Cuban jungles, where the stealthy bushwhackers are trained to fight out
of sight, are most interestingly set forth in the August Demorest's in the leading article, "A Guerrilla
Eden." It is an article that will
interest every soldier in the United States army and the friends of every
soldier. There are some excellent
photographs of this guerrilla country, showing our men in action in the palm
jungles. WR
08 10 COLONEL SOLLIDAY ASSUMES COMMAND
To a citizen of Watertown belongs the distinction of being
the first member of the Second Wisconsin regiment to set foot on Porto Rican
soil. In his account of the landing of
the Port of Ponce of the Wisconsin troops, the war correspondent of The
Milwaukee Sentinel says: "While the
Third regiment was embarking, the Duchess came up and the embarking of the
Second began. During Major Morgan's
illness, Lieutenant- Colonel Solliday assumed command
of the First battalion and his soldiers were first landed. Captain Goldschmidt's Sheboygan company was
the first to reach the shore from the Second but Col. Solliday
took good care not to allow anyone to get out of the boats ahead of him and to
him belongs the honors of being the first Second Wisconsin soldier to step on
the soil of Porto Rico.". WR
08 10 WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS TO ASSIST
A call from general headquarters has been received by the
Woman's Relief Corps of this city to assist in aiding the sick soldiers now
confined in the hospitals at Charleston, S.C.
The corps therefore appeals to all benevolent societies and persons to
aid in the matter. Money for the purchase
of needed medicines will be gladly received; also soft cloth for bandages, old
linen, etc. All donations from the east
side are to be left with Mrs. A. B. Off, and the west side with Mrs. G. W.
Hill. WR
09 14 Another
praiseworthy achievement in accord with Watertown's proverbial hospitality and knack
of doing the proper thing at the proper moment has been recorded in the
reception tendered our returning soldiers of the First and Second regiments last week. An enthusiastic and grateful spirit prompted
the arrangements, and the recipients of the ovation must have realized that
their welcome home came from honest impulses and gladsome hearts. WR
09 14 Thousands of
Milwaukeeans sacrificed a night's sleep to give the First Wisconsin Regiment,
returning from Jacksonville, a royal welcome.
The first section of the train did not arrive until about 2 o'clock and
the last was more than hour later, but the hour did not discourage the
people. They remained and gave the boys
a reception that they will not soon forget.
Half the bands in the city were stationed in the train shed
and the first sound that greets the ears of the returning soldiers was the
strains of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Then they heard a great shout from the crowd
around the park which had caught a glimpse of the train passing into the great
shed. The officers and such of the men
as could get out of the cars were soon on the platform, shaking hands with
their friends and receiving the congratulations of their friends. Those who had managed to get inside of the
gates ran up to the car windows to bid the boys welcome and there was no more
sleep for anybody. WR
09 14 WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS TO WELCOME RETURNING
SOLDIERS
As soon as all the soldier boys who went to the war from
this city have returned home, the Woman's Relief Corps propose to give them an
appropriate reception, arrangements for which are now under way. WR
09 21 CAMP SHIPP, ANNISTON, ALA
Three sections of the Fourth Regiment, Wisconsin volunteers,
arrived at Camp Shipp, Anniston, Ala., during the night, Sept. 17, and the
fourth section is on the way. As soon as
the regiment can be formed it will be marched to the camp ground, which is
situated in a beautiful grove among the hills.
The trip from Camp Douglas has tired the men considerably and it is not
expected that much work will be done for a day or two after striking camp. This is a beautiful and healthy country and
is free from sickness. The men are in
very good shape and compare very favorably with the other regiments. No sickness has developed as yet and as the
men are careful of what they eat and drink, much illness will be averted. WR
09 28 CAMP SHIPP
Camp Shipp, Anninston, Ala., Sept.
26 -- Yesterday the men were given passes to go to Anniston and the Fourth
Wisconsin camp was nearly deserted. The
men were very orderly and returned to camp in time for retreat roll call. Several of the men were poisoned by drinking
lemonade which is sold at numerous stands along the way to town. Thus far all are on the way to recovery and
it is expected they will return to duty sometime today. The stands will undoubtedly be closed
up. WR
09 28 TOBACCO FOR OUT TROOPS
These war times have tried men's souls in many unexpected
ways, but like a shaft of sunshine and good cheer out of the cloud of privation
and durance has been the work that The American Tobacco Co. has done among the
U.S. Soldiers and Sailors ever since the war began -- for when they discovered
that the camps and hospitals were not supplied with tobacco they decided to
provide them, free of cost, with enough for every man, and have already given
outright to our Soldiers and Sailors over one hundred thousand pounds of
"Battle Ax Plug" "Duke’s Mixture" Smoking Tobacco, and have
brought and distributed fifty thousand briar-wood pipes, at a total cost of
between fifty and sixty thousand dollars.
This work has been done quietly and thoroughly, by
establishing headquarters in each camp, so that every camp and every hospital
in the United States Army has been this most welcome of all
"rations." Perhaps it will be
only fair to remember when we hear the remark again that "corporations
have no souls," that there is one American corporation whose soul has been
tried and has not been found wanting in "practical kindness." WR
10 19 MAX KREBS
Watertown, too, has offered up her sacrifice at the altar of Mars and
the recent war has claimed its one victim from this city in the person of Max Krebs.
It is true, the young soldier did not succumb upon the field of battle,
in the midst of bloody carnage, but he faced death fighting the germs of fatal
decease in a Southern camp, the dangers of which caused more suffering and
deplorable results than actual warfare. While the taking away of his young life
is sincerely regretted and has caused general sorrow, our city is thankful that
the end is over and the fatalities are no greater. WR
Krebs, Max, b. 1876, d. 1898, Co B 1st Wis Inf Sp
AM War 1898
11 02 AUGUST CAPELLE and GUS MARQUART return
Yesterday at noon August Capelle arrived home
direct from the scenes of the late war in Porto Rico. He is private in Co. K, Third Wisconsin regiment, and was in the engagements at Coamo and Ibonita. At the depot to welcome him were the
Northwestern University cadets and band, the drum corps, the local soldiers of
the other state regiments, and a large concourse of citizens. The line of march was taken up and the
returning soldier boy was escorted to the home of his mother, Mrs. Catherine Capelle, 612 North Second Street. It was expected that Gus Marquart, another
Watertown soldier of the same company, would also arrive, but he went through
to Tomah with his command. WR
1899
RETURN OF SOLDIERS FROM THE
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
Cross
Reference:
COL. ALBERT SOLLIDAY
Col. Albert
Solliday, a veteran of two wars and long time professional man of Watertown, where he was
engaged in dentistry for many years.
Col. Solliday was
born in Lehigh country, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1841. He was educated in Pennsylvania and Ohio,
graduating from the high school at Circleville, Ohio, in 1861. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in
the 114th regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, August 11, 1862. He was mustered out of service in July of
1865 and three years later came to Wisconsin and settled in Watertown where he
engaged in his profession of dentistry,
which he had practiced for a few years at Circleville. Upon his arrival in Watertown he opened
dental parlors over the Bank of Watertown,
where he remained three years, finally locating on Main Street (Solliday & Meyer, 117 Main) where he practiced his
profession until his retirement from active duties.
To Col. Solliday belongs
the honor of being the first man in the Second regiment to land on Porto Rican
soil during the Spanish-American war.
Col. Solliday was the first to step out of the
boat and onto the beach. Troops of the
Third Regiment were the first to be landed.
[On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war on Spain following the
sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The war
ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.]
Spanish War Colonel's uniform accessories of
Colonel A. F. Solliday.
Watertown
American Legion began in 1919 with Dr. Solliday
as first commander
History of Watertown, Wisconsin