Sons Of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172

Population of Santiago De Cuba, in 1899, during the American Military Occupation.

2012-01-06T14:04:00.001-06:00

The population of Santiago De Cuba, in 1899 was 40,090.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1899, during the American Military Occupation.

2011-11-07T20:11:00.000-06:00

The population of Havana, Cuba, in 1899, during the American Military Occupation, was 235,981.

Our New National President and Officer's, 2011.

2011-09-01T17:02:00.000-05:00

We would like to congratulate our newly elected National President Brother Bernie O'Bryan, as well as all other National Officer's elected this year.

Theodore Roosevelt, Quote.

2011-06-06T12:32:00.002-05:00

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

Colonel William Langdon Buck, Spanish American War Officer, by Brother Kenneth Robison.

2011-06-03T16:14:00.001-05:00

William Langdon Buck was born on January 30th, 1856, in Mobile, Alabama, to William A. Buck and Margaret Langdon. In 1861 his father left young William and his mother and organized the 24th Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment, of which he was appointed Colonel of that Regiment, and served honorably with that Regiment in General Arthur M. Manigault’s Brigade of the Army of Tennessee, until his resignation on account of wounds that he had sustained during the course of the War.

On September 1st, 1874, William Buck entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as a Cadet, and began his Military Education. On June 13th, 1878, he graduated 17th in his class of 43 from the Military Academy, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the United States Army and assigned to the 13th United States Infantry Regiment. At the time of his graduation from the Military Academy he was among the first Cadets from the South, following the Civil War, to enter the United States Military through the Military Academy. He returned home to Alabama, on a brief furlough following his graduation, in his United States Army Uniform, and had expected to meet some hesitancy on the part of the folks in his area as to him wearing a United States Army Uniform. But upon his return home to his friends and his neighbors, wearing the blue uniform, it at once had a most remarkable effect upon them and was a step forward towards the reconciliation between those men of the Blue and Gray.

Following his graduation from West Point Lieutenant Buck was assigned to garrison duty in Atlanta, Georgia, from September to December of 1878, and from December of 1878 to July of 1880 he was on duty with the Regiment at the Baton Rouge Barracks in Louisiana, the Newport Barracks in Kentucky, and finally at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From July of 1880 to March of 1883 he was assigned to frontier duty at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, where he was engaged in the construction of Telegraph Lines in 1881 and commanding the Rifle Teams in 1882. He returned to the East in March of 1883 and was assigned to duty as the Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College in Mississippi, where he remained on duty until July 1st, 1886. During his time at the College he formed a close friendship with the President of the College, former Confederate Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee, which lasted until their death. He returned to frontier duty at Fort Wingate in July of 1886 and was assigned to command of the Indian Scouts in that area, commanding them in the field until October of 1886, and remaining at the post until June of 1888. During his time at Fort Wingate he received his promotion to First Lieutenant of Infantry on February 4th, 1888, remaining on duty with the 13th Infantry Regiment. In June of 1888 he was assigned to duty at Fort Logan, Colorado, and by July he had been transferred to Fort Reno, Indian Territory, where he would remain until April 26th, 1889. He was next assigned to duty at the Little Rock Barracks in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he would be detailed as the Regimental Quartermaster of the 13th Infantry Regiment until March 1st, 1893. He was detailed to duty with the Wisconsin National Guard on February 16th, 1893, and for the next four years he served on duty with them as the Acting Inspector General of the Wisconsin National Guard until February 16th, 1897. In February of 1897 he was assigned to duty as the Superintendent of the Military Department, and Professor of Military Science and Tactics at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, remaining on duty at the Academy until August 5th, 1898. While at the Military Academy he received a promotion to Captain of Infantry with the 13th Infantry Regiment on March 23rd, 1898.

With the declaration of War between the United States and Spain on April 25th, 1898, Captain Buck was assigned to duty as the Mustering Officer of United States Volunteers for the State of Wisconsin on April 28th, until August 5th when he was designated as the Assistant Mustering officer for the State, serving as such until March of 1899. In January of 1899 he was appointed as the General Recruiting Officer for the United States Army in Wisconsin and would continue on recruiting duty to March 1st. With the ending of the War with the Spain the various Volunteer units of the United States Army began returning home and it fell to officers such as Captain Buck to see that they were properly mustered out of United States service, so from August 25th, 1898, to March 23rd, 1899, he was on duty as the Mustering Out officer of Volunteers at Camp Douglas in Wisconsin.

Following his duties as a Mustering and Recruiting Officer in Wisconsin he reported for duty in the Philippine Islands, and on November 3rd, 1899, he was assigned as the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion of the 13th Infantry Regiment. During his time in command of the Battalion he led them in to the actions at Guadaloupe Ridge on June 10th, at San Fabian on November 7th, San Jacinto on November 11th, and finally in the action along the Rabon River on November 14th, 1899. He commanded the Battalion until January 1st, 1901, when he was appointed as the President of the Military Commission at Cailang, serving with the commission until the 30th, when he was assigned to an Examining Board in Iba, remaining on duty there until February 11th, when he returned to command of the 3rd Battalion. From then until July 30th, 1902, he bounced between command of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions during there actions in the Philippines During that time he was temporarily detached as a Member of the General Staff at Malabon from November to December of 1901. On October 11th, 1902, Captain Buck received his promotion to Major of Infantry and was assigned to the 18th United States Infantry Regiment.

After serving in the Philippine Islands since November of 1899 Major Buck returned to the United States on June 19th, 1902, at San Francisco, California, to join the 18th Infantry Regiment. However before he joined the 18th Infantry he was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, and joined them at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, on March 29th, 1903, where he was appointed to command of the 1st Battalion of the Regiment. During his stay at Fort Thomas he meet Miss Winona Lee Hawthorne, the daughter of Major LeRoy R. Hawthorne, and after a courtship the two were married. He was temporarily detached from the Battalion from April 30th to June 15th, 1903, while he was conducting an inspection of the Kentucky National Guard. Following the Inspection he returned to Fort Thomas and command of the 1st Battalion, and was detached again on July 26th, 1903. This time he was placed in the charge of the Army and Department Rifle Competition at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, from July 27th to September 13th, 1903, and was then sent to Sea Girt, New Jersey, where he served as Captain of the Army Infantry Rifle Team, and as such succeeded in winning the Dryden Trophy. After his service with the Rifle Team he served in the maneuvers at West Point, New York, from September to October of 1903, and was then placed in command of the post at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, from January to February of 1904.

On July 21st, 1904, he was assigned to service at Fort St. Michael, Alaska, and upon his arrival there on the 23rd he was placed in command of the post, remaining in command until his departure on August 3rd, 1905, for Tennessee. He was next assigned to detached service as an Instructor at the Columbia Military Academy at Columbia, Tennessee, and remained there from October 4th, 1906, to October 4th, 1908. On January 7th, 1907, while at the Columbia Military Academy he was transferred from the 3rd Infantry Regiment to the 10th Infantry Regiment, and on October 5th, 1908, following his service at the Military Academy he joined the Regiment at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and was assigned to command of the 2nd Battalion. He remained on duty with the Battalion there until July 15th, 1909, when he was taken ill and admitted to the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., staying at the Hospital for treatment until June 11th, 1910. After his release he returned to duty with the Battalion at Fort Benjamin Harrison, where on August 28th, 1910, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment, which he joined in September of 1910 at Plattsburg Barracks, New York.

While on duty at Plattsburg he received his final promotion to the rank of Colonel of Infantry on March 2nd, 1912, but on September 30th, 1912, he was again taken ill and admitted to the Walter Reed Hospital. On October 20th, 1912, while under treatment at the Hospital he died of his illness at the age of 56 (57). The illness that had caused his death and prior admission to the Hospital was described as an “Oriental disease that he had contracted while on duty in the Philippines. Despite fighting the illness for over twelve years, and recovering from it once before he was finally overcome by the illness and passed away.

Following his death the following was written about him: “Patience, courage, patriotism, intellectuality, so blended in this high-thoughted son of the South as to make of him an ideal soldier, who was at once an honor to his section and country. He leaves behind him a beautiful memory that will bloom forever in the hearts of his loving friends.”

"Remember The Maine" Pin.

2011-05-23T17:42:00.000-05:00

Chilton County Camp (Alabama), United Spanish War Veterans, Officer's, 1950's.

2011-04-11T17:23:00.001-05:00

The following men were the Officer's of the Chilton County Camp (Alabama) of the United Spanish War Veterans, in the 1950's.

Commander - George W. Sansom

Senior Commander - Otis M. Ross

Junior Commander - Perry Smith

Adjutant - H. S. Sewell

Quartermaster - Frank Nelson

Mobile, Alabama River Commission, 1898.

2011-04-02T18:03:00.001-05:00

The Office of The Mobile River Commission was located at the City of Mobile Municipal Office's. The following individuals composed the Commission :

President - J. Curtis Bush

Member's - George E. Sage, Samuel Brown, Edwin B. Kirkbride and Robert T. Ervin

Clerk - Louis de V. Chaudron

Engineer - David M. N. Ross

Attorney - S. Palmer Gaillard

Corporal Frank Buckles, Last American World War One Veteran, Passes Away.

2011-02-28T20:53:00.001-06:00

Frank Woodruff Buckles (born February 1, 1901, died February 27, 2011) was the last surviving United States World War I Veteran. He was born in Bethany, Missouri, in 1901 and enlisted in the United States Army, in August 1917, at the age of 16. He was sent to Europe aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia (which was the ship which rescued the survivors of the Titanic, in 1912) and spent the War as a Motorcycle and Ambulance Driver. He served in the Army until January 1920. He was once again caught in war when Japan invaded the U.S. Territory of The Philippines, where he worked for a shipping company, in Manila. He was detained by the Japanese and held as a prisoner at Los Banos Prison Camp, from 1942 to 1945. He returned to the United States and married Audrey Mayo, in 1946. He lived at Gap View Farm, in Charles Town, West Virginia, and was the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation. Frank Buckles reached the rank of Corporal during World War One and for his service was awarded the World War I Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and he was also awarded by French President Jacques Chirac, the French Legion of Honor. His death signifies the true end of an era. May He Rest In Peace / Que En Paz Descanse.

The U.S.S. Maine

2011-02-15T13:17:00.000-06:00

February 15th - On this date in History the U.S.S. MAINE blew up in Havana, Cuba , in 1898.

Theodore Roosevelt, Quote.

2011-01-15T16:10:00.002-06:00

"If there is not the war, you don't get the great general; if there is not a great occasion, you don't get a great statesman; if Lincoln had lived in a time of peace, no one would have known his name". Theodore Roosevelt

************************************************************************************

Remember to listen to The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp # 172, Radio Show. You can listen by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Alfonso the 13th, King of Spain during the Spanish American War, 1898.

2011-01-09T18:37:00.002-06:00

Alonso the 13th, was King of Spain during the Spanish American War. He was born in 1888 and although proclaimed King at birth did not take power until reaching age 16, in 1902. His mother Queen Maria Cristina ruled as Regent, in 1898. Alonso who was ousted during the Republic but never abdicated the Throne, died in exile on February 28th, 1941, in Rome, Italy. His grandson Juan Carlos Bourbon is the present day King of Spain.

*************************************************************

Remember to listen to The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172, Radio Show by clicking here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

The Spanish American War "Hiker Statue" at Austin, Texas.

2011-01-04T18:02:00.001-06:00

These two photos of "The Hiker Statue" were taken by Brother Kirby Crabtree on the Texas Capital Grounds, at Austin, Texas during a recent visit. // Remember to listen to our Radio show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Private John Skirving Farmer, United States Volunteers, Memorial Service by the Micah John Jenkins Camp #164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans.

2010-12-31T06:38:00.002-06:00

This information is courtesy of the Micah John Jenkins Camp #164 of The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans. Please try to attend and support such a worthy project.

Everyone is invited to attend the memorial service and headstone dedication for Private John S. Farmer of Company L of the 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment, United States Volunteers, who served in the Spanish-American War. Until the placement of this headstone this veterans grave has been unmarked since his death, and he has been forgotten.

The service will start at Noon on Saturday, February 12th, 2011, at the Live Oak Cemetery in Walterboro, South Carolina. Speakers will be present to speak on John S. Farmer and the history of the 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment, U.S.V. Anyone wishing to assist or take part in the service is invited to contact the Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164 of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans.

PRIVATE JOHN S. FARMER, U.S. VOLUNTEERS.

John Skirving Farmer was born in Charleston South Carolina, and was enlisted on May 2nd, 1898, at Savannah, Georgia, by Captain Hopkins in his company. At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 43 years old, 5 ft. 5 in. tall, of a light complexion, with blue eyes and dark brown hair, married, and was employed as a Clerk in Savannah, Georgia. His company joined others from throughout Georgia at Camp Northern in Griffin, Georgia, where he was mustered into United States service as a Private in Company L of the 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, on May 13th, 1898, for a period of two years service. In July of 1898 he was admitted to the regimental hospital for a case of hemorrhoids, however returned to duty shortly thereafter. In September of 1898 he was in and out of the 2nd Brigade Hospital and the Corps Reserve Hospital at Camp Wheeler in Anniston, Alabama, with malarial fever, and on September 13th, 1898, he was furloughed from the Corps Reserve Hospital for one month, and returned home to Savannah to recover. There was apparently some difficulty in his being able to return to Savannah as there is a letter in his file to Captain Hopkins from John Farmer in Macon, Georgia, requesting assistance in obtaining transportation to Savannah, this was obtained through the army and he was able to return to Savannah. He rejoined the Company at the end of his furlough on October 11th, 1898, and on November 22nd, 1898, he was mustered out of United States service with the company (and the remainder of the regiment) at Savannah, Georgia. This service record reflects pretty well the service of the average Spanish-American War Veteran, not all went over to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Philippines and many instead served stateside, and did credit to themselves and their states.

Remember to listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

New Episode of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172, Radio Show (Show #10).

2010-12-19T02:36:00.000-06:00

We did a new episode of our Camp Radio Show (Show #10) where we spoke about Christmas Traditions, New Years and The Feast of The Three Kings / Fiesta De Los Reyes Magos (The Epiphany), we hope you enjoy the show. Here is the link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/12/19/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-c

Spanish American War Article from Taunton Gazette.

2010-12-19T02:31:00.001-06:00

This article was published by the Taunton Gazette (Massachusetts) on December 8th, here is a link to it
http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1499823082/LEST-WE-FORGET-The-story-behind-Tauntons-Spanish-American-War-Monument /// Remember to listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (Dec 25th and January 1st) // Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo (25 de Diciembre y 1ro de Enero) !

2010-12-19T00:11:00.003-06:00

We wish all our Camp members and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !! /// Les deciamos a todos nuestros miembros y amigos una Feliz Navidad y un Prospero Ano Nuevo !! // Remember you can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172, GOODSEARCH and GOODSHOP Toolbar.

2010-12-04T23:40:00.002-06:00

The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172, earns money (a penny a search) when you use GoodSearch to search the web and we get a small percentage of anything you buy online (you pay the same price, we get paid via the companies) by using GoodShop to shop online. Support us and our eventual goal of building a "Spanish American War Museum and Archives" (which would sadly be the ONLY one of its kind in the United States). Help us help preserve the History and Memories of all our Brave Troops, as well as helping preserve United States, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Philippine History between 1898 and 1902. I know that a penny doesnt seem like much money BUT we can use every penny we can get, to make this dream come true, help us by downloading and using the toolbar > Http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans /// Remember you can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

New Camp Radio Show Episode, Show #9.

2010-12-02T23:29:00.003-06:00

We did a small show tonight, you can listen to it by visiting this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/12/03/the-sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-show-9
We hope you enjoy it !

Confederate General Wade Hampton quote, on the eve of the Spanish American War 1898.

2010-12-02T18:15:00.003-06:00

".. as old as I am, I can still ride on horseback and wield a sword; and if her quota (S. Carolina) is not filled, if there is one name lacking to make it full, I myself will volunteer. This is our country and it is our duty to make it the champion of freedom for all time to come." - ex-Confederate General Wade Hampton, 1898 outbreak of the Spanish American War, "The State" Newspaper, South Carolina (courtesy of Brother K. Robison, S.S.A.W.V.). // Remember you can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

We did a new Radio Show for our Camp last night (Show #8).

2010-11-17T00:06:00.001-06:00

We did a new Radio Show (show #8) for our Camp last night, you can listen to it by clicking
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/11/17/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-show-8. We hope you enjoy it !

We wish everyone a Happy Veterans Day !!

2010-11-11T00:09:00.001-06:00

We at the Cuba Libre Camp wish everyone a Happy Veterans Day !! We want to thank all the Veterans (and all of those serving). May GOD Bless America and all of our Men and Women in Uniform !!! // You can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Spanish American War and Philippine Insurection Plaque and "Hiker" Statue , Austin, Texas.

2010-11-07T01:55:00.002-05:00

This is a photograph of the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection Plaque found on the Capital grounds, in Austin, Texas. It is the at the base of "The Hiker" Statue (whose photo I will post shortly). We give a "hat tip" to Kirby Crabtree for sending it to us. // Remember to listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

95 Year Old, George Vujnovich, Finally Gets His World War Two Medal !!

2010-10-17T21:08:00.001-05:00

This American Hero finally recieved his Medal for his World War Two activities. This is a wonderful story, you can see the whole story by visiting this link http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/95-year-old-george-vujnovich-gets-medal-for-world-war-ii-rescue/19677460?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C178331

*********************************************************************************

You can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

We are raising money for the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172, Museum and Archives. Please donate TODAY !!

2010-09-25T04:09:00.002-05:00

We are raising funds so we can have a permanent home for our Museum and Archives. This has been the dream of the Cuba Libre Camp since our Chartering. We need all the assistance we can get financially from all our friends and members. Our Camp Museum and Archives has a collection of books and documents dealing with the Spanish American War, The Philippine Insurrection, The Boxer Rebellion and the History of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. We also have coins and other memorabilia from 1898.
We have different options available to us, as far as the actual future permanent location of our Museum and Archives. // You can donate money (we are grateful for any amount you wish to donate to us, even if it is only a few dollars, as every dollar helps us get closer to our goal) by sending us a Money Order made out to : "The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp 172" you can mail your donation to The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 C/O John ODonnell-Rosales, P.O. Box 667, Mobile, Alabama 36601. Remember if we don't preserve OUR History, Who will ??