ARIZONA IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

At a recent civic celebration in Phoenix a group of Spanish American war veterans rode together in the parade, were cheered by thousands of spectators. Reading left to right, Ray Howland, U. S. N.; John B. Nichols, Battery D 5th U. S. Arty.; W. W. Carpenter, L Troop 1st U. S. Vol. Cav. (Rough Riders); Kelly Crozier, Co. G 21st Kansas Vols.; Thos. J. Hawley, Troop "E" 5th Cav.; Wm. C. Hathaway, Co. E and Band 22 U. S. Inf.; Milton C. Burke, Co. I 5th Missouri Vol. Inf.; David Armstrong, Co. L 5th Missouri Vol. Inf.; James E. Coberly, Co. "C" 32nd U. S. Vol. Inf.; W. D. O'Neil, Monitor Puritan U. S. Navy; Wilson T. Wright, Co. F 3rd Kentucky Inf.; Carl Carlson, Troop C 1st Ú. S. Vol. Cav. (Rough Riders); G. D. Koonce, 3rd Engineers; John L. Baird, Co. K 39th U. S. Vol. Inf.; G. D. Lapien, Co. E 49th Iowa Vol. Inf.

During the fall and winter of "reconcentrados" soon became an inter1897-98, there was demand for innational issue and "Cuba Libre" was tervention of the United States made the jingo battle cry. in the trouble between Spain and her island possessions in the West Indies. This became more clamorous when Spain appointed General Valeriano Weyler, whom the pro-interventionists at once dubbed "Butcher" Weyler, as Captain General of Cuba. As if co-ordinating with the propagandists "Butcher" Weyler proceeded to gather the rebellious Cubans into camps and the persecution of the The situation was further complicated when the battleship Maine, that had been sent to Cuba on a friendly mission, was sunk in Havana harbor and two hundred sixty six officers and men lost their lives on the night of February 15, 1898. It was charged by the war-protagonists that the ship was blown up by the Spaniards, and "Remember the Maine" became a battle cry that drove the country into the arms of the war god, Mars. On April 21st, 1898, Congress formally declared a state of war to exist between the United States and Spain. When President McKinley called for volunteers, the response was immediate and overwhelming.

Three gallant and courageous Arizonans lead cavalry troops, with honor and distinction to themselves and their country in the Spanish American War.

The first call was for 125,000 men. The plan was for each state to furnish a quota of men and have the credit and responsibility for them.

William O. "Bucky" O'Neill, former sheriff of Yavapai County and mayor of Prescott, Arizona, a man who had been at different times, miner, newspaper man, and world traveler, had the idea to raise a cavalry regiment of Western cowboys and miners. He was enthusiastically aided by J. H. McClintock then engaged in newspaper work at Phoenix, and Alexander O. Brodie, West Pointer and regular army man.

In ten days time they had recruited more than a thousand men with Brodie acting as colonel. However, some Eastern men had the same idea and Arizona was allowed only 210 men, and so the 1st U. S. Volunteer Cavalry was formed with Bucky O'Neill Captain of "A" Troop, and J. H. McClintock captain of "B" Troop, the balance of the regiment to be composed of troops from New Mexico, Indian Territory, Oklahoma, and Eastern States. There was such strong pressure for more men to be allowed to go from Arizona that a third troop "C" was formed, and J. L. B. Alexander put in command as captain.

Colonel Leonard Wood, a regular army doctor who had seen much service in the Western campaigns against the Indians, was given command of the regi-ment as Colonel, and Theodore Roosevelt was made Lieutenant Colonel.

The latter, when he resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, said he was going west to take charge of some rough riding cowboy soldiers. An eastern newspaper took up the expressionthus Teddy's Rough Riders came into existence.

The final line-up for the Arizona contingent was: Troop A-Captain Bucky O'Neill, First Lieutenant John C. Greenway, Second Lieutenant Joshua D. Carter.

Troop B-Captain James H. McClintock, First Lieutenant George B. Wilcox, Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Rynning.

Troop C-Captain Joseph L. B. Alexander, First Lieutenant Robert S. Patterson, Second Lieutenant Hal Sayre, Jr.

Major Alexander O. Brodie commanded the battalion.

The government at that time had failed to furnish a regimental flag and learning this, the Phoenix members of the Woman's Relief Corps, Grand Army of the Republic, obtained silk and with a group working all night made a silk flag. Being unable to procure a proper cord, a cluster of tricolored ribbons decorated the top of the staff.

When the regiment landed at Daiquiri on the south coast of Cuba the flag was (Turn to Page 24)