The Boys of 98

Nebraska Soldier Starts a War!

2009-06-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Here's an amazing little piece of trivia... the Philippine-American War is the only international war that was started by a Nebraskan. Pvt. William "Willie" Grayson (1876-1941) was an English immigrant from Beatrice, Nebraska who fired the shot that ignited the Philippine-American War, a conflict that would last for over three and a half years and claim over 4,100 American lives.

Pvt. Grayson was a member of Company D of the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Grayson and the 1st Nebraskans had been experiencing extreme tensions with the Filipinos for over a month. The Filipinos seemed anxious to provoke the Americans into a hostile act, and strict orders were issued to prevent any action. Night after night they would cluster around and shout curses at the American outposts. One insurgent officer was particularly abusive. He would gather a crowd of drunken natives, and they would march down to the bridge for the purpose of harassing and scoffing at the American soldiers. They were encouraged by the apparently submissive attitude of the Americans, whom they had begun to look upon as cowards.

The incident that touched off the conflict occurred on the evening of Saturday, February 4, 1899. Grayson said: “About eight o’clock, Orville Miller and I were cautiously pacing our district. We came to a fence and were trying to see what the Filipinos were up to. Suddenly, near at hand, on our left, there was a low but unmistakable Filipino outpost signal whistle. It was immediately answered by a similar whistle about twenty-five yards to the right. Then a red lantern flashed a signal from blockhouse number 7. We had never seen such a sign used before. In a moment, something rose up slowly in front of us. It was a Filipino. I yelled ‘Halt!’ and made it pretty loud, for I was accustomed to challenging the officer of the guard in approved military style. I challenged him with another loud ‘Halt!’ Then he shouted ‘Halto!’ to me. Well, I thought the best thing to do was to shoot him. He dropped. If I didn’t kill him, I guess he died of fright.

Two Filipinos sprang out of the gateway about 25 yards from us. I called ‘Halt!’ and Miller fired and dropped one. I saw that another was left. Well, I think I got my second Filipino that time....” As they ran back to their post, Grayson shouted, “Line up fellows, the niggers are in here all through these yards.”

Filipino troops at San Juan del Monte exchanged fire with the American line at Sta. Mesa. The companies of the Morong Battalion under Captain Narvaez and Captain Vicente Ramos charged the American positions and pushed back the 1st Nebraskans and even captured an American artillery piece. By 10 o’clock at night the American troops were engaged for two miles from Pasig River north and west.”

Upon his return to the United States from the Philippines, Grayson settled in San Francisco, California and got married in October 1899. He acquired U.S. citizenship in 1900. He later worked as a house painter and an undertaker.

Troopers from K Company

2008-02-26T17:43:00.000-08:00

Pictured here are Privates Charles D. Huffman (left) and Fred A. Molton of Troop K, Third U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. They proudly stand before their tent at Camp George H. Thomas, Georgia. These men along with the rest of Troop K were armed with the carbine version of the Krag-Jorgensen rifle. Both men are wearing what appear to be 1883 enlisted fatigue blouses, sky blue trousers, and the darker brown shade leggings. Pvt. Molton is wearing his campaign hat in the fashionable "Montana Peak" style. Troop K, like the Second and Third Nebraska, never saw combat.

Photo is from the Nebraska State Historical Society collection. Some of this information is from The Fighting First Nebraska: Nebraska's Imperial Adventure in the Philippines, 1898-1899 by Thomas D. Thiessen.

The U.S. Rifle Model 1889 "Trapdoor"

2008-01-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

By the end of the American Civil War, the United States Army recognized the need to obtain a breech-loading rifle for its use. However, with the end of the war, funds were curtailed, and the army had an overabundance of muzzle-loading weapons left from the war. The “trapdoor” rifle denoting the method of opening the rifle at the top of the breech to load a cartridge, was developed and about 30,000 rifles were converted to “trapdoor” models, more properly called “Allin Conversions”. By 1868, instead of converting old weapons into “trapdoor” models, a new rifle was developed using the Allin “trapdoor” mechanism. This weapon was the U.S. Rifle, Model 1868. This weapon went through a series of minor modifications (1870, 1873, 1879,1880, 1884 and 1889, as well as a few more specialized cadet and officer varieties), and was used for thirty years.

At the outbreak of the Spanish American War, the current model was the Model 1889. This weapon was the main shoulder arm used by the volunteer troops at the outbreak of the war, in spite of its being outdated in comparison with the smokeless powder weapons that were becoming available. Incidentally, the Model 1884 rifle was the main weapon issued to Nebraska’s volunteers.

From the United States government’s standpoint, one major advantage of the Model 1889 was that it had many of these weapons in storage, and they could be readily supplied to the sudden influx of troops. Many of the existing National Guard regiments already carried this weapon, so it made sense to continue arming their enlarged regiments with the same weapon. The overwhelmingly major objection to this rifle was that it used black powder instead of the more modern smokeless powder. The black powder cartridge left a tell-tale cloud of smoke by which the shooter could be spotted and fired upon. Also, the smoke cloud required the shooter to wait until the smoke cleared before he could aim and fire again.

The weapon was a single shot whereas the newer Krag-Jorgensen and the Spanish Mauser rifles were magazine weapons. The United States, however, insisted that its magazine-equipped Krag-Jorgensen rifles be used as single shot weapons with the rounds in the magazine reserved only for emergencies. Still, in actual combat, the rate of fire of the single-shot Model 1889 “trapdoor” rifles was much slower.

The Model 1889 “trapdoor” rifle had an advantage in “take-down” power over the newer smokeless powder rifles such as the Krag-Jorgensen Rifle, used by some United States forces, and the Spanish Mauser because these weapons fired a smaller projectile. This difference in size and weight also meant that the average soldier could carry fewer rounds with him for the Model 1889 than he could carry for newer Krag-Jorgensen Rifle (one hundred .30 cal. cartridges weighed the same as sixty .45 cal “trapdoor” rifle cartridges). Lastly, the “trapdoor” rifles fired at a higher trajectory than did the more modern weapons, resulting in more difficulties in aiming.

This information was compiled by Patrick McSherry for the Spanish American War Centennial Website which you can visit at www.spanamwar.com.

Assemble for Federal Service!

2008-01-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a great photo of Company A of the First Regiment assembling in the streets of York, Nebraska sometime in April 1898. Companies of the Nebraska National Guard assembled at their home communities before traveling to Lincoln or Omaha to be mustered into federal service. The First Regiment of the Nebraska National Guard assembled at Camp Alvin Saunders on the state fairgrounds in Lincoln on April 26 and 27. The First Regiment's muster-in was completed on May 10 as they became the First Nebraska Infantry, United States Volunteers.

Photo is from the Nebraska State Historical Society collection. Information is from The Fighting First Nebraska: Nebraska's Imperial Adventure in the Philippines, 1898-1899 by Thomas D. Thiessen.

Excellent Book on the Fighting First

2008-01-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

I just recently received from Amazon.com my new copy of Inside the Fighting First: Papers of a Nebraska Private in the Philippine War. This book was published in 2001 and was edited by Thomas Solevad Nielsen with an introduction and commentary by Matthew Plowman. This book consists of the diary of Henry Thompson, the letters he wrote home, and a selection of those that he received as the Spanish American War wound down and the Philippine War revved up. Thompson, the son of Danish immigrants living near St. Edwards, Nebraska, wrote in English but his parents' letters (translated) were written in Danish. His letters have been skillfully edited and placed in the proper relationship to diary entries. The historical context is provided by Plowman whose commentary offers some knowledge of this little known war. The book includes numerous photographs from the Thompson collection. This book conveys an interesting insight into the differing mentalities of a combatant at the turn of the century and those on the home front. I have gotten about a third of the way through the book and am finding it very interesting reading.

The Third Nebraska at the Exposition

2008-01-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo that I just came across this past week. It is from a book called Omaha's Trans-Mississippi Exposition by Jess R. Peterson from the Images of America series. The caption on the photo reads as follows: "With standing orders for deployment to the Spanish-American war theater, the Third Regiment of Nebraska marched along the East Midway. Approximately 1,500 soldiers participated in Military Dress exercises on July 16, 1898. The 10:00 a.m. parade circled the exposition Midway and ended when all participants reached the Grand Court." I think it's a wonderful photo and quite interesting to see Nebraska's soldiers at the great Trans-Mississippi Expo right in their own backyard.

This photo is courtesy of the Omaha Public Library.

Obituary of W. S. Orr, 1st Nebraska Volunteers

2008-01-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

This image is of W. S. Orr (on left), who was killed in the Philippines during the Philippine American War. Below is his obituary. It is typical of that which would have been found in any American hometown newspaper of the times.

W. S. Orr's Body Brought Home

The government officials are sending all the bodies of the heroes who fell on the Manila battlefield to their respective homes, and the remains of W. S. Orr, the only Clarke county boy who gave his life for his country in the Spanish and Philippine wars, arrived in Osceola Monday at 10:45 a.m. It was taken to Mr. Bailey's undertaking room, but afterwards to the home of his mother, Mrs. Catherine Orr, in South Osceola. The funeral services were held in the M.E. church Thursday at two o'clock. The G.A.R. and Knights of Pythias orders attended in a body. Rev. McCorkle, of the M.P. church, delivered a brief eulogy upon the deceased, recounting his exemplary life as a son, brother, citizen and hero. The interment took place in Maple Hill cemetery under auspices of the Knights of Pythias, of which order the deceased was a member.

A few brief facts may be again given concerning Mr. Orr. He was a member of the 1st Nebraska, enlisting in Omaha, in June, 1898, after having worked on the Trans-Mississippi Exposition buildings a while as a carpenter. Nearly all know the severe service seen by his regiment. Mr. Orr wrote several letters to The Sentinel, describing his experiences, in the language of a student and scholar. They revealed the spirit of a zealous and sincere patriot, not afraid to do his duty. His company, A, was in all the active battles from the precipitation of the war, February 4, 1899, until his death, near Manila, March 30, 1899. In that time his regiment was on the firing line nearly all the time and saw much hardship. It was during the attack on Aguinaldo's capital, Malolos, and while within a mile or so of it, that he fell, pierced in the chest with a bullet. His company had advanced to the firing line at 11 a.m. The fatal bullet found its mark at an advance in the face of a severe fire three hours afterward. Mr. Orr met a hero's death unflinchingly. He did his duty bravely and well and holds a high place in the hearts of all who knew him. His father was a veteran in the civil war and received wounds from which he died some years ago, so the family may well be proud of its heroes who have so faithfully served their country. The aged mother, Mrs. Catherine Orr, lives in Osceola. Five sisters and two brothers also survive the deceased.

This article is courtesy of the Spanish American War Centennial Website which you can visit at www.spanamwar.com. The obituary is from the Osceola, Iowa newspaper.

Spanish American War Monument in Omaha

2007-12-31T11:53:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I visited a local monument to the veterans of the Spanish American War here in Omaha, Nebraska. The monument and two period cannons are on display near the front gate at Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery located at 57th and Center Street. The monument is an impressive granite marker with some rather elaborate engraved details and an attached brass plaque. The two cannons are actually reproductions constructed by students from a local high school. There were also several grave markers for Spanish American War veterans, but I will have to go back in the spring because too many of them were covered with ice and snow. Overall it is an impressive memorial to the veterans of a bygone era and a forgotten war.

The Third Nebraska Volunteers

2007-12-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

The Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry served as part of the occupation force in Cuba following the Spanish American War. The Third Nebraska originally was intended to serve in Cuba as part of Major General William Shafter’s Fifth Corps. However, the unit served as part of Fitzhugh Lee’s Seventh Corps instead. The Third Nebraska was raised in the second call for volunteers, and was mustered into service between July 1 and July 17, 1899 at Omaha, Nebraska. At the time of mustering in, the unit consisted of forty offices and 1,274 enlisted men. The colonel of the regiment was none other than William Jennings Bryan, who had run against William McKinley for the presidency.

The Third Nebraska was not involved in any of the major battles but would have faced the dangers of illness and disease, serving in camp in the U.S. and as part of the occupation force in Cuba. The unit was encamped at Camp Cuba Libre in Jacksonville, Florida while the war was ongoing. The fighting ended less than a month after the Third was mustered into service, when an armistice was set in place on August 12, 1898.

The Third Nebraska departed for Cuba on December 30, 1898, twenty days after the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the war. The unit arrived in Cuba on New Years Day, 1899. The Third Nebraska served in Cuba until April 7, 1899, arriving back in the U.S. five days later.

The Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry was mustered out of service on May 11, 1899 at Augusta, Georgia. At the time of mustering out, the unit consisted of fifty-five offices and 1,251 enlisted men. During its term of service the unit had one officer and thirty-one enlisted men die of disease. In addition, twenty men were discharged on disability, one man was court-martialed and three men deserted.

This regimental history is courtesy of the Spanish American War Centennial Website which you can visit at www.spanamwar.com.

The Fightin' First Nebraska

2007-12-23T13:22:00.000-08:00

The First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service on May 9 and 10, 1898 at Lincoln, Nebraska. At the time of muster-in, the unit consisted of fifty-one officers and 983 enlisted men. On May 16, the regiment left Lincoln for San Francisco, where it arrived three days later. The First Nebraska was assigned to the Third Independent Brigade or the Philippine Expeditionary Force

On June 15, the regiment steamed for the Philippines in fragments aboard the transports ARIZONA, PENNSYLVANIA, MORGAN CITY and SENATOR where it arrived on July 17. Here the regiment was assigned to the Second Independent Brigade of the 8th Army Corps. The First Nebraska took its place in the trenches at Malate, and took part in the attack on Manila that resulted in its surrender on August 13, 1898. By coincidence, an armistice was reached with Spain on the same day, ending the fighting. On October 14th the regiment was reassigned to the First Brigade, Second Division of the 8th Corps, being transferred to the Second Brigade on December 11, the day after the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the war.

The regiment remained in the vicinity of Manila and participated in the defense of the city when the Philippine American War began on February 4, 1899. The First Nebraska captured the Manila pumping station on February 6, and between that date and May 4 went on to be involved in engagements at Mariquina, San Francisco, Polo and Meycauayan, Marilao, Santa Maria and Bigaa, Guiguinto, Malolos, Quingua and Pulilan, Bagbag River, Calumpit, and Santo Tomas. From May 21 to June 22, the regiment was in the barracks at Malate and the trenches San Pedro Macati.

On July 1, 1899, the First Nebraska left the Philippines for the United States aboard the transport HANCOCK (formerly the transport ARIZONA), arriving on July 29, 1899. The unit was mustered out of service on August 23, 1899 at San Francisco, California. At the time of muster out, the unit consisted of forty-five officers and 842 enlisted men.

During its term of service, the First Nebraska lost two officers killed in battle with another officer dying from wounds received in battle. Ten other officers were wounded in battle. In addition nineteen enlisted men were killed in battle with thirteen additional men succumbing to wounds received in battle, and 153 others wounded. Twenty-eight enlisted men died of disease, one man drowned and two men deserted. In total, eleven officers and 166 enlisted men were wounded in battle.

The regiment won renown for splendid service in the Philippine Islands, and grateful citizens of Nebraska, individually, and by municipal, business, and other associations, 159 subscriptions in all, advanced the sum of $40,342.75 to pay the expense of transporting its members to their homes in the state. David E. Thompson, of Lincoln, subscribed $20,000 and William J. Bryan, of Lincoln, $1,250. The legislature of 1901 made an appropriation for refunding to the subscribers $36,315.45, the amount expended. Regiments of other states which served in the Philippines were treated in a like generous manner. The legislature also appropriated the sum of $11,000 for the purpose of paying $37.50 to each of the members of the regiment who had been mustered out of service on account of disability and had come home before the regiment was mustered out. The legislature of 1899 appropriated $2,000 to be expended by the governor "for the relief, aid and comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers now members of the First and Third regiments in the Philippine Islands and in the Island of Cuba." The Second and Third regiments suffered unduly from disease, caused by bad sanitary conditions, which seem to be incident to lack of experience and discipline on the part of both officers and men in the volunteer service in the early period of our wars. These regiments were disappointed because they had no chance to fight; but if opportunity had occurred they would have proved themselves as valorous and efficient as their envied contemporaries of the First regiment. All of these regiments were of superior quality, and the considerable number of men who had been in the State University battalion measurably improved their discipline and morale. Colonel John M. Stotsenburg was the heroic, and most considerable figure among the soldiers of Nebraska in the war with Spain. He was killed in action at Quingua, Luzon, April 23, 1899, and was honored with burial in the national cemetery at Arlington Heights. Colonel Stotsenburg was professor of military science and tactics in the University of Nebraska when the war began, and many of the cadets joined his regiment.

This regimental history is courtesy of the Spanish American War Centennial Website which you can visit at www.spanamwar.com.