Wyoming Battalion Saw Action in Philippines Over 120 Years Ago

(US and Philippine soldiers’ uniforms, Bob Wilson uniform collection)

In The Cheyenne Daily Sun-Leader, on February 24, 1899, there is this short clip, “The Wyoming Battalion had a hand in the fight with the insurgents yesterday.”

Starting in 1868, the Cuban’s began to fight for their freedom from Spain. America supported their war for independence. In January of 1898, the The U.S. Government dispatched the battleship U.S.S. Maine to Manila to protect the U.S. interests in Cuba.

On February 15th the battleship exploded, killing 260 sailors. Although the reason for this explosion has never been satisfactorily explained, headlines screamed “Remember the Maine!” and the U.S. went to war against Spain.

On April 23, 1898, President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers to serve in the war in the Philippines.

The Wyoming Battalion provided around 1000 of these volunteers,

In the Buffalo Voice May, 1898. Our Boys Company “C,” W. N. G. reached Cheyenne at 11:30 a.m. last Tuesday, under command of Captain Millar, 59 Strong. Lieutenant Gallup, Sergeant Pinney and 33 Weston county recruits arriving there at 2 o’clock p. m. the same day, having missed the train at Newcastle.

The following is a roster of the Company as far as it hails from Johnson county: Captain, Thomas Millar. 1st. Lieut. J.d Gallup. 2nd. Lieut. L.K.Cheever. 1st^. Sergt. Geo. Rodgers. Q. M. Sergt. G.W Rossknecht. Sergeants, Frank Shortill, Charles Pinney; Corporals. W. H. Fischer, C. J. Hepp, John McConnell, G. T.L. Gallup. Trumpeter, Wm. Miller.

The Wyoming Commonwealth, Cheyenne October 1890 talked about the Wyoming Battalion – Our Citizen Soldiery. Wyoming National Guard —The Present Strength and Location. The Prospects For Its Future—Something About the Different Companies Mustered and Not Mustered. There are now in Wyoming, fully organized, equipped and mustered into the service of the state, four companies of the militia as follows: Company A, at Laramie City, which is taking steps toward reorganization, which will make it one of the best companies in the service. Company B is here at Cheyenne, has about fifty men and is the crack company of the state.

Company C is at Buffalo, and is only month or two old, is sixty strong and has every prospect of becoming fixture which will be pride and honor to the state. Company D, the most recent addition to the forces, has been ready for muster for some time, but Col. F. A. Stitzer, the state mustering officer, only last week; so every thing in shape and mustered this company, which is located at Rock Springs, and has seventy members and is very enthusiastic and say that they will soon rival company B.

It is proposed to organize other companies in the near future at the following places: Another here in Cheyenne, which is nearly up to the minimum in numbers and is steadily growing, so that it is believed that the organization can be completed in the very near future. There is considerable agitation in the same direction at Sheridan, and recent advice from there indicate that good company will be formed soon at that point.

There is also prospect of the formation of company to be composed of men on Piney creek and the head of Prairie Dog creek, about midway between Buffalo and Sheridan. And in addition to this infantry force there are arrangements being made for the organization of battery of artillery in two sections, one to be located at Cheyenne and the other at Rock Springs. With this armament we will have very good nucleus around which to form as time goes on and our people become more numerous, National guard for Wyoming which will be source of pride to our citizens.

With the organization of the companies of infantry the force will be entitled to full complement of regimental field officers, and as soon as two more companies are mustered into the service it is presumed that the regimental organization will take place. Our militia is and will be credit to the commonwealth

The Wyoming Battalion saw a lot of action while fighting in the Philippines.

This in the Cheyenne Daily Sun Leader, March 1899 – Wyoming’s Heroes: Wyoming is greatly honored by the gallant conduct of Maj. Foote’s battalion at San Juan Delmonte this morning. Given the post of honor, our brave boys pressed to the front and made an impetuous charge upon the Insurgents, driving them before them and inflicting great loss upon tho Filipinos.

Company C, which was organized at Buffalo, and afterwards obtained some recruits from our Cheyenne boys, started the rush and the other companies joined in the onslaught, and all cheering as they pushed forward.

Our dispatches say that the troops all along the line were electrified and rapidly closed in upon the rebels, forcing them to the banks of the Pasig river, where they were shelled by the American gunboats which had been posted to receive them. So fierce was the onslaught that the enemy had scarcely time to fire more than one volley when they began their flight, and the result was that none of the Wyoming battalion are reported to have been either killed or wounded.

The insurgents lost very heavily. It was the most decisive victory since the capture of Manila, and our people will be glad to know that Wyoming took a conspicuous and responsible part in the battle. Three cheers for the Wyoming battalion.

Wyoming Industrial Journal Cheyenne, December, 1899, talked about the troops who engaged the enemy.

Washington’s birthday. 1899, was memorable clay in the history of the Wyoming Battalion. The insurgents had been gathering in our front for some time and were causing considerable annoyance by firing on our outposts and camps.

Accordingly plans were laid by which it was hoped to pocket them. portion of the First Nebraska was to work in conjunction with our troops, but the nature of the ground traversed and the many obstacles encountered prevented Nebraska from closing in at the proper time, so the plan failed.

It was successful in part, however, for the enemy were compelled to retreat leaving many wounded and dead on the field. During the action Company G got into very tight place, and only the coolness and bravery of those in command saved the company from annihilation. Lieut. Perry, an aide on General Hale’s staff, and Captain Wrighter with four men were slightly in advance, feeling the way through an old worked-out stone-quarry, when suddenly fire was opened from two sides.

Our men replied vigorously and with good effect, for we were soon able to gain higher ground where it was possible to deliver effective volleys. This caused the enemy to retire, and the day’s action closed without casualty to Wyoming.

A this in the Sheridan Daily Enterprise, June 4, 1898, talking about when the troops were in San Francisco getting ready to ship out. Letters From The Boys – The following interesting communication arrived one day toolate for lastweeks issue of theEnterprise. It is still good however. Camp Merritt, San Francisco, May 24. To The Enterprise: We arrived in San Francisco late Sat afternoon, after a tedious journey, in company with a Colorado regiment whom we overtook at Wadsworth, Nev. where they had been delayed through an accident up the line. Then the battalion marched onto the ferry boat which carried them over from Oakland. The battalion was then marched to the old race track near the Golden gate park where they went into camp, While en route for camp the Wyoming battalion created quite a sensation. They were preceded by a band and crowds of people thronged to see them pass.

“Where are they from?” I heard one man ask. “Wyoming,” and answered his friend. Gad, they must raise ’em out there,” he remarked, I frequently heard words of high praise from the lookers-on and it made me feel proud for Sheridan.

There are two great camps, one at the Presidio, the other here. In this camp are the Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming troops. Tho Utah troops comprise one full battery of light artillery and are camped right across the street from us. It is estimated that in both camps there are about twelve thousand men. It is rumored that the Wyoming battalion will go aboard about Thursday.

They are equipping the men for a campaign and will probably complete this tomorrow. The equipment required by the department is: l blouse, 1pair trousers, 2 blue flannel over shirts, 2 undershirts, 2 pair drawers, 3 pair socks,1campaign hat, 2 pair shoes, 1 pair leggings, 1 overcoat, 1 blanket, I rubber poncho.

The requisition for those things that are needed has been made, and they will he issued and the kits inspected tomorrow.

From the Daily Enterprise November 10, 1909 – Officers Are Packing – Orders Require Removal to ‘Frisco Upon Arrival of Nineteenth Infantry Here. Members of the four companies of the Nineteenth infantry stationed at Fort Mackenzie are making their preparations for the departure of the battalion for San Francisco from where they will sail in February for the Philippine islands.

Already most of the officers have packed their possessions in readiness for departure. The orders received at the post require that the present occupants leave upon the arrival of the Eighteenth Infantry now en route to Sheridan from the Philippines. The latter sailed from Manila, October 15.

In as much as army transports are comparatively slow it is probable that the troops will not arrive In San Francisco until some time next week. It will require several days to place their baggage aboard a train and it is now expected that they will arrive here about November 20. There are eight companies in the infantry which will be stationed at Fort Mackenzie, and a regimental band will also be brought along. Lieut. N. V. Ellis, at present constructing quartermaster at Fort Mackenzie, states that the new macadamized road on the military reservation has been so nearly completed as to permit its being used by the public.

It should be remembered that in 1898, Wyoming, as a state, was only nine years old, and The Wyoming Battalion, was fairly new, but they fought with honor in the Philippines, 124 years ago. Today, the Wyoming National Guard stands in readiness should they be called into war or called to defend the state.