Greene County Soldiers in the Spanish American War
Extracted from the
Official Roster of the
203d Regiment
New York Volunteer Infantry
Spanish – American War
1898 – 1899
Compiled and arranged by Charles E. Drederman, Company “D”
Pamphlet
located at the Vedder Library, transcribed by Arlene Goodwin
Camp Black, July
21, 1898.
Camp Meade, Sept. 12th
Camp Conewago, Oct. 1st.
Camp Wetherill, Nov. 13th.
Copyrighted 1899
Company Officers:
Captain W. W. Bennett Co. K. Catskill, NY
1st Lieutenant C. A. Vroman, Co. E., Catskill, NY
J. G. Hannah Co. K., Catskill, NY
Company K (Catskill, N. Y. )
Captain, William W. Bennett.
First Lieutenant, James G. Hanna.
Second Lieutenant, Walter I. Lyman.
First Sergeant, Edwin W. Knoll.
Q. M. Sergeant, Edward W. Mallory
Seargeants, William Hock.
Michael J. Murphy
Robert W. Bowen
Albert Saulspaugh, Jr.
Corporals, John E. Bassett.
Fred J. Dewey
Le Roy Palmer
Frank J. Brooks
Albertus B. Conkling
John E. Crowley
Paul
B. Mattice
Charles L. Beauchamp
George E. Hewitt
Musician, Eugene A. Chilson
Ray Goodfellow
Artificer, George H. Osterhout
Wagoner, Lyman A. Huntley
Privates, Biglow, Fred
Biglow,
Joseph
Baker, Melvin J.
Burns, James J.
Burns, William R.
Barber, Roscoe
Bell, Wallace J.
Beesmer, Stephen
Coffrey, Edward
Cleary, John
Connolly, Michael T.
Cole, Norman
Calman, Edward
Casey, Bernard
Carpenter, Chas H.
Diefendorf, Cubb R.
Distin, Harry L.
Dwyer, William E.
Ellis, Joseph
Flynn, John E.
Fitzgerald, James T.
Fitzgerald, John B.
Fitzgerald, Michael
Fritzen, John B. Jr.
Foote, William L.
Garrison, Wesley E.
Guthrie, Albert E.
Granger, Christopher
Harnett, Dennis E.
Hathaway, Robert H.
Harvey, Frank M.
Holbrook, Charles E.
Hood, Geo H.
Hughes, Frank D.
Humphrey, Wm.
Ish, George W.
Johnson, Jacob
Judd, Joseph H.
Koch, Paul
Legg, Fred C.
Long, George M.
Losty, John W.
Maher, John
Mc Call, John T.
McCarthy, M. H.
Miller, Peter
Myers, Arthur
Mason, George H.
Madigan, Michael
Madigan, Pat H.
McNary, John
Mattice, John B.
Morrison, George A.
Marshall, Thomas
Newman, Robert
Norton, Frank
Oringer, Clyde
Palmer, Arthur D.
Phillips, George M.
Phillips, Thos J.
Reardon, James J.
Ross, Neil
Rowan, Frank T.
Rutz, Adam
Shear, William
Son, James A. Jr.
Sullivan, James
Webster, John
Welch, Michael T.
Wilber, Chas. E.
Wood, George M.
Wood, William
A Concise
Chronological Statement
Of the Events of our Hostilities with
Spain
The war being a thing of the past, and peace following the short, sharp and decisive victory of the United States over Spain, a review of the war in this roster is most timely. We present to our comrades this review in a form at once concise and complete. For purposes of reference, being arranged chronologically, it will be found of inestimable value:
The Events as they Happened.
Jan. 25 –The battleship “MAINE” was ordered to Havana, Consul General Lee having reported the situation critical.
Feb. 9—Publication of the famous De Lome letter; following day his passports were issued him.
Feb. 15—The “MAINE” was destroyed in the harbor of Havana, presumably by a Spaniard. The treachery occurred 20 minutes before 10 o’clock at night. 2 officers and 264 of the crew perished.
Feb. 17—The following officers were appointed to investigate the cause of the “MAINE” disaster: Captain W. T. Sampson, of the Iowa (President); Captain F. E. Chadwick, of the New York; Lieut. Commander W. P. Porter, of the New York, and Lieut. Com. Adolf Marix, of the Vermont (Judge Advocate).
Feb. 18—The Spanish battleship Vizcaya arrived at New York. She remained at anchor off Staten Island for 5 days.
Feb. 19—The government declined a request made by the Spanish officials at Havana for a joint investigation of the wreck of the “MAINE.”
March 8—Congress, by unanimous vote, passed a bill appropriating $50,000,000 for national defence. Senate passed the same measure without debate, next day.
Mar. 12—The new Spanish Minister, Senor Polo y Bernable, presented his credentials to President McKinley.
April 9—Lieutenant A. S. Rowan, 19th U. S. Infantry, left Washington on a secret mission to General Garcia.
April 11—President McKinley sends his message to Congress advising armed intervention in Cuba.
April 13—Gen. Fitzhugh Lee given an ovation in Washington.
April 14—Entire regular army ordered South. Armed intervention the ultimatum of Congress.
April 16—The Senate passes resolution declaring Cuba independent.
April 19—At 3 a.m. the Senate and House simultaneously adopt resolutions declaring that Spain must relinquish her authority and government in the Island of Cuba. Senor Sagasta, Spanish Premier, in a speech to the Cortes declares Spain will fight for Cuba.
April 20—President McKinley signs Cuban bill. Spanish Minister demands and receives his passports. Spanish Cortes opens with Queen’s war speech.
April 21—Minister Woodford given his passports.
April 22—North Atlantic squadron begins blockade of Cuba. United States gunboat Nashville captures freighter Buena Ventura, the first prize of the war.
April 23—President calls for 125,000 volunteers.
April 25—War formally declared by Congress. Asiatic squadron leaves Hong Kong to attack Manila.
April 26—Lieut. Rowan lands in Cuba with important dispatches of Gen. Garcia.
April 27—North Atlantic squadron bombards Mantanzas. Cuba.
April 29—War revenue bill passed by House.
May 1—Commodore Dewey destroys the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor.
May 3—Martial law and state of siege declared in Madrid.
May 11—Cruiser Wilmington and torpedo-boat Winslow in an attempt to silence the batteries at Cardenas are repulsed. Ensign Worth Bagley, of North Carolina, and four seamen attached to the Winslow were killed by the bursting of a shell. Senate confirms nomination of Dewey to be Rear Admiral.
May 12—Americans fail to land troops at Cienfuegos.
May 13—North Atlantic Squadron bombards San Juan. American troops land near Cabanas, Cuba. Commodore Schley, with Flying Squadron, sails from Old Point.
May 14—Steamer Gussie fails in an attempt to land troops and supplies in Cuba.
May 19—Cervera’s squadron reported at Santiago de Cuba.
May 21—The first Regiment District of Columbia volunteers leave Camp Alger for Chickamauga Camp.
May 25—The President calls for 75,000 additional volunteers.
May 28—Commodore Schley reports Cervera’s fleet blockaded in Santiago harbor.
May 30—District troops ordered to Tampa. Fla. Gen. Merritt takes formal command of the Manila expedition.
May 31—Commodore Schley bombards the forts at the entrance of Santiago harbor.
June 3—Lieut. Hobson and crew of seven heroes sink collier Merrimac in channel of Santiago harbor to prevent possible escape of Cervera’s fleet.
June 4—Cervera sends flag of truce to Admiral Sampson, announcing the safety of Lieut. Hobson and crew and complimenting them on their heroism. District troops in Tampa, Fla.
June 5—Death of Capt. C. V. Gridley, of Deweys’ flagship, Olympia.
June 6—Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes sunk during bombardment of the defense of Santiago.
June 7—Haitian cable cut by expedition form Marblehead, Yankee, and St. Louis. Cuba now completely isolated.
June 9—Troops embarking at Tampa Fla., for expedition against Santiago.
June 10—Sampson’s squadron bombard Baiquiri, near Santiago.
June 12—Spanish assault American marines encamped at Guantanamo, but are repulsed. Shafter’s expedition leaves Key West for Santiago.
June 13—Secretary Gage invites subscriptions to a popular loan of $200,000,000.
June 14—The Vesuvius throws three charges of dynamite into Santiago harbor, with terrible effect.
June 16—Second Spanish squadron sails from Cadiz. Supposed destination the Philippines.
June 20—Shafter’s army appears before Santiago. Spanish troops forced to retire into fortified part of Manila.
June 22—Shafter’s army lands at Baiquiri.
June 24—Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and First and Tenth United States Cavalry (less than 1,000 all told), after desperate battle with 2,000 Spanish troops, gained position with in five miles of Santiago.
June 27—Orders issued for formation of Eastern Squadron under command of Commodore Watson to operate against Spanish coast. Admiral Camara’s fleet in Suez Canal.
July 1—United States troops, after all-day engagement, occupy the outer works at Santiago.
July 3—At. 9:30 a.m. Cervera’s fleet attempted to leave Santiago harbor, and was completely annihilated by the squadron under command of Commodore Schley. One American killed and two wounded. Thirteen hundred Spanish prisoners taken, including Admiral Cervera.
July 6—Hobson and crew exchanged. German interference in the Philippines prevented by Admiral Dewey. Resolutions annexing Hawaii pass the Senate.
July 8—For conspicuous bravery during the gallant charge of the Rough Riders at Quasina, Col. Wood is promoted to Brigadier General, and Lieut. Col. Roosevelt to Colonel.
July 10—First Regiment District of Columbia Volunteers reached Siboney and started immediately for the front.
July 11—Premier Sagasta and Cabinet resign.
July 17—Santiago was surrendered to Gen. Shafter, with 22,000 Spanish troops. Old Glory was unfurled over the city at noon.
July 21—Expedition under Gen. Miles for the conquest of Porto Rico set sail from Santiago. Gen. Wood appointed Military Governor of Santiago.
July 23—Porto Rico expedition to reinforce Gen. Miles leaves Tampa, Fla.
July 25—Gen. Merritt arrives at Manila. Gen. Miles’ expedition lands on the southern coasts of Porto Rico.
July 26—French Ambassador, on behalf of Spain, asks the United States to name terms of peace.
July 27—The port of Ponce, Porto Rico, surrenders to the auxiliary gun-boat Dixie, commanded by Commander C. H. Davis.
July 28—The City of Ponce formally surrenders to Gen Miles.
July 30—Coast fever breaks out among District troops. Private William Poore the first victim. United States government reply to Spanish peace proposals handed to French Ambassador.
August 3—Spanish troops in Manila attempt a sortie, but are driven back with heavy loss.
August 5—Secretary Alger orders the immediate return of Gen. Shaftee’s army to the United States. Troops under Gen. Brooke enter Guayamo. Gen. Miles meets with little or no resistance in Porto Rico.
August 7—Spanish Cabinet accept American peace proposal.
August 9—Ordnance Department reports having received 9,000 Mauser rifles from Spanish prisoners captured at Santiago.
August 10—President McKinley promotes Commodores Sampson and Schley to be Rear Admirals.
August 11—Spanish government approves the protocol and cables to Ambassador Cambon empowering him to sign it.
August 12—The representatives of the United States and Spain meet at the White House and sign the peace protocol ending the war.
August 15—Manila surrenders unconditionally to Admiral Dewey, after a bombardment of two hours and a gallant assault by the American troops.
August 17—The President appoints the Military Commissioners for Cuba and Porto Rico as follows:
For Cuba—Gen. James F. Wade, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, and Major Gen. M. C. Butler.
For Porto Rico—Major Gen. John R. Brooke, Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schley and Brig. Gen. William W. Gordon.
August 19—First Regiment, District of Columbia Volunteers, leave Santiago for Camp Montauk, Long Island, N. Y.
August 27—First section of District troops arrive at Montauk Point.
September 17—The United States Peace Commission composed of Judge William R. Day, Senator C. K. Davis, Senator W. P. Frye, Senator George Gray and Whitelaw Reid. Sailed for Paris to meet the final settlement of the questions arising form the war. Details of evacuation of Porto Rico completed.
October 18—American flag raised permanently over Porto Rico at 12 noon.
November 28—American Peace terms accepted.
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