The Spanish-American War
On 25 April 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish American War. None of the regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy, and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered in to service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between 14 and 25 May 1898, at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American War. Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state. Pursuant to the Governor's direction the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was organized as follows:
2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
| Company | Former Organization | Station |
|---|---|---|
| A | Company C, 1st Regiment, ASG (McCarthy Light Guards) | Little Rock |
| B | Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG, V.Y. Cook Rifles, | Batesville |
| C | Company G, 4th Regiment, ASG | Walnut Ridge |
| D | Company D, 2nd Regiment, ASG | ? |
| E | Company D, 1st Regiment, ASG (Fletcher Rifles) | Little Rock |
| F | Company F, 2nd Regiment, ASG (Hurley Rifles) | ? |
| G | Company D, 4th Regiment, ASG (Cabot Guards) | Cabot |
| H | Company I, 1st Regiment, ASG | Forrest City |
| I | Companies F, G, and H, 4th Regiment, ASG | Stuttgart (Co F), Gillett (Co G) and Dewitt (Co H) |
| K | Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG (Clendenin Rifles) | Harrison |
| L | Company C, 2nd Regiment, ASG | Conway |
| M | Company ?, 4th Regiment, ASG (Highland Sharpshooters) | Melbourne (with volunteers from Mountain Home) |
The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 2nd Arkansas, now under the command of COL V.Y. Cook, moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia in May 1898. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August. The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of federal service on 25 October 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas. The 2nd Regiment continued in service until 25 February 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston, Alabama. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.
The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters Battery was originally organized between 1905–1910 in the Arkansas State Guard at Fayetteville as Company B, 2d Regiment of Infantry (The Arkansas State Guard was itself redesignated on 31 March 1907 as the Arkansas National Guard).
Read more about this topic: 142nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)
Famous quotes containing the words spanish-american war and/or war:
“The last time we used battleships was in the Spanish-American War. And what did we get out of that? Cuba. And we gave that back.”
—Robert Riskin (1897–1955)
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
—Bible: Hebrew Psalm LV (l. LV, 21–22)