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- SANTIAGO
CHAPTER IIN THE BEGINNINGThe history of the 107th Combat Engineer Battalion is inseparably intertwined with that of Calumet's Company A. It is in this Company that the Battalion's roots are firmly planted and the official lineage drawn. However, this hi story will also touch on the activities of the Militia Companies in those other Upper Peninsula towns that ultimately became an integral part of the Battalion. It is from them that the moral, if not official, lineage is drawn. Company A was organized on September 5, 1880. It was a private military Company under the name of the Calumet Light Guard. Captain Henry Wilkins was elected to the lead the unit. The unit's major activities appeared to consist of marching at various parades and local celebrations. However, upon the unit's organization, immediate efforts were made to have the Light Guards accepted into State service. This proved difficult to do. Michigan was already at full quota and space for an additional Company was not authorized. State Senator Joseph Chandler of Houghton came to the Company's rescue. He drafted a special bill that allowed the Light Guards to gain the status of Michigan State Troops. In response, the jubilant men of the Calumet unit dubbed Senator Chandler as the 'Father of the Company.' 1 The establishment of the Michigan State Troops created a coordinated force from semi-independent Militia groups. The State Troops purpose was to preserve the peace in the case of civil dissentions. They were intended for local use, and not as a reserve for the Federal government. Units could volunteer for active Federal service in the event of war. However, they could not be called up unwillingly. The enlisted men selected the officers through an election. The minimum age for membership was 18 and the maximum 45. All served for a three-year enlistment. In December of 1894, the volunteer units were integrated into Michigan State Troops. The name was changed to the Michigan National Guard. The new organization created five infantry Regiments, three of these would be ordered to active duty in 1898 for the Spanish American War. In this case, Michigan offered the units to the Federal government. The reason the Calumet Light Guards entered State service was not purely a patriotic one. As a private Company, the required uniforms, weapons, and equipment would have to be purchased privately. As a State unit, Michigan would provide them. On August 8, 1881, the Calumet Light Guards were officially mustered into the Michigan State Troops as Company B, 2nd Battalion of Infantry. The officers of the new company remained the same as the original private militia. Henry Wilkins was the Captain, James N. Cox, First Lieutenant, and John B. Curtis, Second Lieutenant. The membership of the unit included many men who would later rise to military prominence. As captains, sergeants Henry Fliege and Edward Gierson would command the unit. Sergeant Frank B. Lyon would eventually not only command the 5th Regiment, but also be promoted to Brigadier General. He was the first of four men from the Battalion's lineage to reach the rank of general. Another was First Lieutenant Cox. He later became the Adjutant General of Michigan. Private John P. Peterman, as a Colonel, commanded the 34th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Spanish American War. The original Calumet Light Guard provided a remarkable wealth of talented men.2 By today's standards the Calumet Company was certainly a 'light' Company. The strength was only three officers and 72 men. The State of Michigan would designate the unit Company H, 3rd Infantry Regiment in 1883. In December 1891, they would redesignate it Company D, 5th Infantry Regiment.3 Life in the early Militia Companies was a colorful affair. It was far different from unit operations today. The Marquette unit, part of the same Regiment as the Calumet Light Guard, provides an interesting look into the past. The unit, first known as the Marquette Militia Company, was organized 1874. Since a vacancy had already existed, they soon were accepted into the Michigan State Troops. Later the unit was known under a variety of names, including Marquette Chasseurs, Rifles, Light Guards and City Infantry. Originally, drills were held twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday evenings in the city council rooms. There were no specific State requirements for drills. As time went on, the drill schedules fluctuated with the interest in the unit. The early equivalent of the present-day Annual General Inspection was called the Annual Muster of Inspection. The unit was deluged with high-ranking officers of both the State Militia and Regular Army.4 The 1892 inspection of the Marquette Rifles was a good example of the similarity between past and present. There was a full dress inspection and a long drill in the fatigue uniform. Afterward the inspector, General H. B. Lothrop of the State Headquarters, stated that he was '...gratified to find all of the property of the State present and accounted for, everything clean and neatly in their places.' He praised the care shown by the '...bright and highly polished rifles and accouterments...' However, he was somewhat perturbed since the polishing effort had worn the rifle’s bluing completely off the barrels and bolts! Following the official inspection, the Company and inspectors, '...sat down to a collation’, [light meal],’ in the Company dining room and a very jolly hour or two was passed about the table, toasts and speeches enlivening the occasion.' The Rifle’s Quartet entertained as well as several instrumental soloists.' 5 Washington's Birthday and The Fourth of July commonly were occasions for large parades. A military dress ball usually followed the parades. In 1875 the Marquette Mining Journal recorded:
In 1875, the unit was the only one in the State to have their own band. It was also the only State Company in the entire Upper Peninsula. They were a great source of local pride. That same year the Governor visited the area with a group of legislators. He even took time to inspect the unit.6 Annual receptions were normal. In 1892, an affair in Marquette drew much notice from the city. ‘The honored guests were the local members of the G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic], an organization of Civil War veterans. An orchestra played popular dance music. At 10 p.m., during an intermission, a special drill exhibition was held and declared the best given in years. Dancing followed and continued until 3 a.m.' 7 These various units also supported many local civic activities. In the 1890's, the 5th Regimental Band in Calumet regularly played Norwegian folk song concerts for annual celebrations honoring Norway's independence! 8 Annual encampments were held for the State Troops. They were at various sites in the Lower Peninsula. Locations included Mackinaw, Battle Creek, Brighton (Island Lake), Whitemore Lake, and Grosse Isle. Like the present day National Guard Annual Training periods, it was the only time during the year when all of the State's units were brought together for training. In 1875 the Marquette unit traveled to Grosse Isle aboard the steamer KEWEENAW. ‘The review of the troops at this camp drew a crowd of over 8,000 people.' 9 During the following years, crowds ran about the same size. The Militia was a popular organization! During these early encampments, it is interesting to imagine some of the problems faced by the troops and their commanders. One particular problem seems to have been the number of women the officers kept in camp. In an 1895 letter, the Adjutant General of Michigan commented to his Wisconsin counterpart:10
Reading between the lines would suggest the practice must have been very popular prior to 1895! By 1881, there were units not only in Calumet and Marquette, but also in Houghton and Hancock. Units were later formed in Menominee, Iron Mountain and Ironwood. The tradition of the National Guard in the Upper Peninsula was established. The lineage of the Battalion was created.
The Upper Peninsula units never participated in this type of unsavory activity. The records clearly indicate that only proper civil authorities called them out. They were only used to protect the lives and property of both the strikers and mining companies. While they were employed protecting mining company property, they served as a vital buffer between these two factions. When the Militia was on duty, senseless violence was successfully prevented. All but the most militant of the strikers realized this. They treated the soldiers with respect and courtesy. The troopers reciprocated in kind. After all, the members of the Guard were their fellow citizens. The Guard was never identified with the ‘special deputies’ or ‘detectives’ hired by the mining companies. They were not hired thugs. The National Guard units of the Upper Peninsula achieved a proud and respected record during the strike duty.
Whether or not the troops were used cannot be determined. There was a decentralization of authority. Evidently, they trusted the use of troops to the local level. This is fascinating in light of today's highly centralized operating methods. 11 The earliest use of any Upper Peninsula unit in strike duty was in late July of 1874. It was at the Kloman and Republic Mines in Republic. The sheriff promptly called for the State Militia. The strike was the result of a bad slump in the iron ore business. Trouble ensued when the iron companies in turn lowered the workers' wages. The new Company in Marquette was still short their uniforms. They had just been issued their rifles. 28 men were promptly activated. After a few days, more men joined them. The Marquette City Marshall accompanied the troops to Republic. One of the unit's men was left behind as the temporary Marshall! Two Companies from Detroit were also activated for the strike, but were only used in the Ishpeming area. It was reported that the troops put on a good display of military discipline and bearing. This had a calming effect on the strikers. The troops' daily drills and target practice also tended to dampen the situation. Fortunately, the strike ended peacefully!12
On July 3, the Adjutant General notified Colonel Lyon, the commander of the 5th Regiment. He was informed that Sheriff Eddy of Gogebic County had been authorized to call upon him for the services of the Upper Peninsula Companies, ‘as he may need.' 13 Ironwood's Company H under Captain H. L. Winslow was already on duty, but badly needed reinforcements.14 Adjutant General Eaton wired the commanders of Company D, Calumet; Company E, Menominee; Company F, Houghton; and Company G, Marquette. They were to hold their units ready for duty.15 Much of the remainder of the Regiment, located downstate, was also alerted.16 Colonel Lyon reacted quickly to the situation. In order to be able to assemble the troops rapidly, he had all of his Company Commanders arrange steam whistle signals. When sounded, the whistles would bring their men at a full run. At a moment's notice units they could be assembled for duty.16 On July 4, the Sheriff of Gogebic County wired Colonel Lyon asking for troops. Soon the whistles in Calumet and Houghton were blowing. The units assembled rapidly. Within an hour, 86 men of Calumet's Company D, including the Band, were aboard a Mineral Range Railroad special train. They were en route to Ironwood.18 Also aboard were the Regimental Commander and Staff. Ironwood was in the center of the Gogebic Iron Range. It was a city of 10,000 people, the fourth largest in the Upper Peninsula. Company G of Marquette was on parade for the 4th of July celebration. A telegram arrived from Colonel Lyon. It directed the Company to prepare for immediate movement to Ironwood. At 2 p.m. the order to move came. 51 men of the unit, 85 percent of their strength, departed on a Smith Shore Railroad special train. They were amid much bustle and cheering. It was expected they would be gone no more than a day or two. 19 On the way, the South Shore special briefly halted in Ishpeming. Nine men of the city’s contingent boarded the train. Pride ran high in the unit. When one of the men was unable to go, his brother eagerly replaced him! Company G's old Captain, on hearing of the activation, promptly volunteered for duty and marched out in the ranks. An hour later they rendezvoused at the town of Nestoria. They were joined with the Calumet Light Guards, Company D, and Houghton's Company F. At 9 p.m. the train reached Ironwood. Company E from Menominee joined the following morning. Upon arrival, an enormous crowd of several thousand citizens greeted the troops at the Ironwood railroad station. While some cheered with support, many others jeered and hooted. They yelled various obscenities at the blue-clad soldiers. Marching to the armory, the troops passed through a tremendous jam of strikers in the streets. Everyone became agitated to a dangerous level. After reaching the armory, Colonel Lyon threw out picket lines for security. The pressing crowds grew hostile. The troops were forced to turn them back with bayonets. In turn, the mob achieved bloody results by pelting the troops with rocks. Observers from the local paper reported only the troopers' iron discipline and coolness prevented a serious loss of life. By the following day, it was obvious the troops would not respond to the provocation by the mob. A degree of quiet returned. The Regiment quickly established a proper camp. It was complete with guard mounts, Battalion drills and daily dress-parades. The occasional concerts by the 5th Regimental Band of Calumet were a popular diversion for soldier and citizen alike. Under the law, the troops could only act if specifically requested to do so by civil authorities. Since they hadn’t been requested yet, Colonel Lyon used this unique opportunity as a training period for his men. He was determined that when they were needed, they would be ready.20 The strike duty dragged on. Originally it was expected to last only two or three days. That soon stretched to two weeks. On July 19, a squad of 12 additional men from Company G joined the unit. These men were left behind for various reasons. The officers felt it was only fair that those left behind share the arduous duties of those in the field. Gradually the civil authorities requested the troops to perform special duties. These included guarding both the Norrie Mine steam shovels and the engine house. For the strikers, these were objects of particular disdain. Half a Company was used to guard them during the day and two full Companies at night. Generally, two Companies were on guard duty and two kept in reserve at the Armory at all times. During the nights, outbursts of violence erupted. Occasionally, strikers ambushed small groups of non-strikers on their way home from work. One night a dynamite charge was set off near the house of a union leader who had recently returned to work. Another night the windows of a worker's home were shattered in a hail of bullets. Emotion during the strike ran high. The streets of Ironwood were dangerous for everyone.21 On at least one occasion a detail of troops was used to arrest one of the culprits. In another instance, men of Company G prevented tragedy. While a crew was coming up the Norrie Shaft, a striker attempted to drop a large rock on them. Had it not been for the company G men, many men would have been maimed or killed as they fell from the ladder.22 It was during the Ironwood strike that the now famous wide-brimmed gray campaign hats were first issued to troops. In the heat of a U.P. summer, they were very welcome. By July 27, the strike had largely fizzled out. Most of the miners returned to work. Dismissed by civil authorities, the troops of the 5th Regiment departed. The majority arrived home on the 30th. The efforts of the troops in keeping the peace were greatly appreciated by the citizens of Ironwood. The local papers proclaimed that '…were the troops not here, anarchy would prevail.' The expense of bringing the troops was over $10,000, all of which had to be paid by Gogebic County.23 A total of 323 officers and men from the Regiment were used during the strike. They stayed on duty for 27 days.24 It was their first taste of a large-scale duty, but would not be their last. Not by a long shot... As if the men had not had enough field duty in 1894, on August 11 the U. P. Companies departed for their annual encampment at Island Lake. Travel was via train to Mackinaw and then by steamboat to Detroit.25
After the iron ore was loaded into a vessel's hold, it was necessary to level or 'trim' the cargo. This was the job of the trimmers. Their dispute didn't involve wages, but rather, a changing of certain disliked crew bosses. Since the trimmers were supported by nearly the entire city, they won the strike and the old bosses were replaced. Forty-two men of Company G were on duty intermittently for three days. Their principal job was to guard the ore docks. As in previous strikes, they were activated solely on the authority of the City Marshall.26
The strike started on July 15, 1895. It eventually covered the entire Iron Range with the exception of the Cleveland open pit and the Republic Mine. The Cleveland and Republic mine crews had just been granted wage increases; thus they continued to work.27 Apparently the strike was created by a slight increase in the price of iron ore. Both 1893 and 1894 had been down years. The prices rose in 1895 and the crews wanted a wage hike. The previous scale was $1.25 to $1.50 a day for ordinary work. The strikers now demanded $2.00 for miners, $1.75 for underground work, $l.50 for surface labor, $2.00 for Engineers and $2.25 for machinists.28
The first two weeks of the strike saw huge parades. These were usually led by at least three banks with over 3,000 miners marching. Mass meetings were held at Union Park (located between Negaunee and Ishpeming). Generally, all parades and demonstrations were very orderly. Riots and destruction of property were almost non-existent.29 The various mining companies offered higher pay. Unfortunately, their offers did not meet the strikers’ demands. The strike dragged on. It was not going to end soon. The mining companies decided to import workers to operate the steam shovels to move the already mined ore to the mills. When local officials feared this provocation could lead to violence, they requested troops to keep the order.30 On the morning of Saturday, August 31, the Marquette County Sheriff, John Broad, wired Lansing requesting the entire 5th Regiment. The Assistant Adjutant General, W.W. Cook, felt a bit leery of Sheriff Broad’s request since his earlier use of the Marquette Company in the ore trimmers strike proved unnecessary. He wired the sheriff back asking him if all civil power had been exhausted.31 Satisfied with the sheriff's reply, Cook wired Governor John T. Rich for instructions. He also wired Colonel Lyon in Calumet, warning him to prepare to move his Regiment.32 At 4:30 p.m., another wire was sent to Colonel Lyon from the Adjutant General's Office. Colonel Lyon was ordered to bring his Upper Peninsula Companies to Ishpeming. Additional tents were shipped from Lansing. Extra men would be available if needed. He was to go to Ishpeming immediately with his Staff and assess the situation.33 It was felt the presence of the troops would prevent violence. Additional help was needed. Captain W. S. McArthur was ordered to bring his Company H, 3rd Regiment of Cheboygan north to Ishpeming for service. The Cheboygan unit was to take the place of Company E, Menominee. Company E was recently mustered out and was reorganizing.34 Reacting to initial reports of rioting, the Adjutant General also placed several additional downstate units on alert. He cautioned them to be prepared to bring and use their Gattling guns. 35
At four o’clock Monday morning, September 1, the troops of the 5th Regiment arrived by special train. Instead of getting off at the depot, the train was halted near Lake Superior Grove, at the south limits of the city. This was where the Regimental campgrounds were to be located. The noise of the assembling troops and their march to the campsite shattered the early morning silence. Along the route, windows flew open and startled people watched wide-eyed as the orderly columns of blue-clad troopers marched by. Morale among the troops was high indeed. The news spread through Marquette that the unit would see active duty. Half a dozen local men who volunteered to go were sworn in on the spot! By daybreak, the troops had arrived at the campsite. They quickly started to pitch their tents. By noon camp 'Camp Ishpeming' was fully established. At 7 a.m. the Companies were detailed to protect life and property from the strike. The Ironwood Company of 62 men and Houghton's 57 men went to the Lake Superior Mine; Calumet with 70 men went to the Lake Angeline Mine; Cheboygan with 50 men marched to the Salisbury Mine; and Marquette's Company G of 45 men was given the responsibility of securing the ‘Camp Ishpeming’. Later the Calumet unit was transferred to the Champion Mine and the Cheboygan unit was transferred to the Buffalo Mine in Negaunee. 36 Within an hour, the units had reached their assigned areas and established picket lines in the hills surrounding the mines. No one was allowed to pass without permission of the officer in charge. With the arrival of the shovel operators, the mines began to load ore cars. Since the supply of mined ore was limited, the strikers had no quarrel with this activity and kept their distance from the troops. It was a different story for the townspeople. They turned out in large numbers to see the boys in blue. At the Lake Angeline Mine over 500 people stood around to watch the guards. Fortunately, there weren't any strikers in the crowd. To avoid any possible incident, the strike leaders had made sure to keep their men away from the troops. Colonel Lyon put his men under very strict orders. Even off duty, not a man was permitted to leave Camp Ishpeming. Lyon felt strongly, as did the strikers, that clashes between the troops and strikers must be avoided. But the troops did have their duty to do. The long picket lines were maintained night and day. The guards were ordered to shoot any person not halting when directed to do so. The Regimental officers were greatly concerned that attempts to dynamite the shovels would be made by the anarchists.37
The Calumet Company sustained its first active duty casualty during the night of Thursday, September 6. A high windstorm blew down several large trees. In the grove in which the troop tents were pitched, one of the monsters fell on Private Joseph Heimes, killing him instantly. This needless death cast a pall of gloom over the entire Regiment. Members of his unit returned Heimes to Calumet. He was buried with full Military honors in Hecla Cemetery. His death saddened the people of Ishpeming. They sent many magnificent floral offerings. In tribute to Heimes, the Regiment erected a memorial carved of native granite at the old site of the camp. At the time of this writing, the stone is on display in front of the Ishpeming Armory. 38
On Saturday, September 8, to maintain good public relations with both the striking miners and the general public, Colonel Lyon held an open house at Camp Ishpeming. He felt it would improve the situation if everyone knew each other better. Over 3,000 people visited the camp during the afternoon and evening. The officers and men were reported to have been most courteous to all. The local ladies reciprocated with kindness. Many brought tasty pies and cakes for the troops. Later in the afternoon the crowd watched fascinated as the assembled Companies held their first full dress parade. One of the ‘troopers’ in the ranks during the parade was ‘Darby’ Holland. He was a seven year-old local orphan adopted by the 5th Regiment as a mascot. When Darby was first discovered he was in rags and had not had a bath in months (if ever.) The troops soon cleaned and clothed Darby. They even succeeded in breaking him of his habits of swearing and chewing tobacco. By all accounts this youngest member of the Regiment was a good soldier.39 Colonel Lyon made particular efforts to treat the strikers well. On several occasions destitute strikers who came to Camp Ishpeming were provided for as well as possible. However, there was little that could be done beyond a square meal. Many of the strikers left the area, most going to the Mesabi Range in Minnesota.40 On September 19 the strikers held a mass meeting. In a close vote, they elected to go back to work. At last, the long and costly strike was over!41 The troops knew they would soon be leaving. They eagerly searched for suitable souvenirs. As luck would have it, one of the men was an engraver. Soon Army issue spoons disappeared only to be engraved and tucked away in knapsacks. Needless to say the Regimental Quartermaster, John McNaughton, was not happy with their choice of material.42 On September 24, all of the units were dismissed. They headed back to their home armories. Another difficult job had been accomplished and accomplished well. The experience gained at the Ironwood strike the year before proved invaluable. Colonel Lyon was proud that, during the entire strike period, it was not necessary to use force. Not a single shot was fired by any of the troops. Much of the credit belonged to the strikers. They realized the troops were only doing their duty and treated them with appropriate respect. There were some attempts by agitators to pick fights with the troops in the hopes of creating incidents. Fortunately, the men of the Regiment understood that their job wasn't to engage in common street brawls. Their job was to fight in a proper and legal manner and only if ordered to do so. On a happy note, several men of the Calumet unit adopted the street urchin 'Darby' Holland, the Regiment's mascot. He was taken him home with them when the unit departed. As a result of the strike duty, the guardsmen discovered what the strikers already knew. The red iron ore utterly ruined clothing. Colonel Lyon formally recommended to the Adjutant General that the men receive a replacement issue of new uniforms as well as waist belts and mess kits. After the strike, the Marquette unit went through reorganization in an attempt to put the unit on a sounder basis. The men were paid a bare $1.55 a day. After rations were deducted, this was far less than most of the men made in their normal profession. Nevertheless, they agreed to turn the money over to the Company treasury to help the unit stay solvent. Although the city pledged to help the unit, their efforts were mostly verbal. For reasons that are unclear, the unit lost their armory. Drills were decreased to once a month instead of the normal twice each week. Temporarily, they were meeting in the old Opera House and then the Casino Rink. When inspected by Brigadier General Walsh in February of 1896, only 37 men were present. The General wasn't impressed. In March the unit was mustered out of service.43
The city was devastated. The troops immediately went to work erecting temporary shelters for the many homeless victims of the blaze. Several days later a shipment of 600 tents sent by the Adjutant General arrived. These were quickly pitched. Delivered by a special detachment from Milwaukee, Wisconsin also contributed to the effort with 100 tents. The white tents were pitched in the old fair grounds in a hollow square configuration. It was appropriately dubbed White City.' The troops remained in Ontonagon until October 1.45 Veterans recalled the duty at 'Camp Ontonagon' was the most pleasant active service they ever performed. A major reason for such happy memories was because the men were working to help homeless people; people very much like themselves. But there were also numerous incidents of the variety that seem to follow soldiers wherever they go. In one, it seems that two privates went hunting for ducks. They returned after a time with three fine specimens. As the story goes though, the two brave hunters succumbed to some 'fowl' play. After their return, an irate farmer arrived and turned in a bill demanding $2 for each duck. Evidently the troops had done some barnyard hunting! Having been discovered, the would-be hunters paid up. On another occasion, an enterprising trooper, claiming he was acting in accordance with Army Regulations, confiscated a bottle of ‘high-test hooch’ from a local Scandinavian. For good measure, the trooper also had the bewildered man tossed in the guardhouse. The bottle, of course, was thoroughly examined, both externally and internally. 46 The troopers delightfully discovered that their blue uniforms and shiny brass buttons had made a devastating impression on the areas female population. The ladies of Ontonagon and nearby Rockland often visited the soldiers' camp. They carried not only cakes and pies, but also in the phrasing of the times, 'other things calculated to make a soldier have dyspepsia and nervous prostration.’ To the envy of his friends, one of the soldiers was not forced to eat the 'red horse' and hard tack rations of the unit’s first hastily prepared meals. A special home cooked dinner provided by a local woman happily greeted the lucky trooper. Winking broadly, the smiling soldier simply said she was 'an old friend’. 47 The fire at Ontonagon also destroyed two sawmills of the Diamond Match Company along with piles of planks waiting to be cut into matchsticks. The mills were large ones, capable of using two million board feet of lumber a day. After the fire, the company took the logs not destroyed by the flames and left town. Local officials implored the company not to leave since it was the areas major employer. But to no avail, the departure of the Diamond Match Company left great bitterness in the devastated area.48 CHAPTER II SANTIAGOThe Company was as yet unbloodied. They had never heard or fired a shot fired in anger. With the coming of the Spanish-American War in 1898 this slight oversight would be remedied. Cuba stepped on the world scene in 1492 when a confused sailor, named Columbus, blundered into her. Since 1511, Cuba had been firmly locked into the Spanish New World Empire. As years passed, the once glittering empire deteriorated. One by one, the colonies began to drop away to become independent. Cuba tried to follow via bloody revolution in 1868. However, after a ten-year struggle, the Cuban rebels were eventually defeated. Fueled by oppressive Spanish rule, heavy taxation and a strangling commercial policy, the smoldering embers of revolt were again fanned into flames in 1895. For three long years, the Cuban rebels battled Spanish troops in a cruel civil war. The clamor for American intervention reached a crescendo in April of 1898 with the sinking of the ‘Maine’. As a result of increasing public pressure, Congress declared war on Spain on the 25th of that month. Under the active leadership of Under Secretary Theodore Roosevelt, the American Navy had been built into a first class fighting machine. It proved this to the world on April 30 when a squadron, under Admiral Dewey, steamed into Manila Bay and completely destroyed an opposing Spanish fleet. This action was fought a mere five days after the Declaration of War demonstrating that the American Navy had been well prepared. Unfortunately, such was not true of the Army. Throughout the years prior to the war the Regular Army had been held to the strength of 25,000 troops. They had mostly been used as Indian fighters on the Western Plains. It was hardly an adequate force to oppose the 155,000 better-trained, superiorly equipped Spanish forces. With the Declaration of War the American Regular Army was expanded to 61,000 troops. President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers.1 Michigan responded to the President's call. The Guard assembled 40 Companies, approximately 3,400 men, at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan near Brighton. From these units four twelve-Company Regiments were formed. They were designated the 31st through the 34th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The 5th Michigan, with Company D of Calumet, was mustered into Federal service on May 20, 1898. They were now part of the 34th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The Company, at the time of the muster, consisted of three officers (Captain Julius Fliege in command), six sergeants, two musicians, one craftsman, one wagoneer, and 73 privates. Each of the new Regiments were raised to a strength of 1,026 officers and men, which was later increased to 1,326. Eventually, a fifth additional Regiment, the 35th, was organized.2 In late April, before the President's official call for volunteers, the units of the 5th Regiment began to prepare themselves for service. Drills were increased to weekly. Public interest soared. It wasn't uncommon to find several hundred spectators present at the armory watching the troops drill. At Calumet, 30 men were on a waiting list to join. They were hoping for a vacancy or change in the units authorized strength.3 Throughout the United States the call-up of the troops was anything but orderly. For too many years the Army had simply been too badly neglected. Logistically and from a purely managerial standpoint it was unable to effectively handle the vast influx of volunteer troops. The volunteer troops already organized were woefully short of equipment. In fact, not a single Regiment was ready for the field!
All supplies were short, especially the recently acquired Krag-Jorgensen magazine rifles. These riles used the new smokeless powder. Many volunteer units, including the 34th Michigan, were forced to use the antiquated 1873 Springfield rifles. These rifles, left over from the Indian Wars, were breechloading, single shot, side hammer, .45 caliber with black powder cartridges. Black powder was especially undesirable since every time the rifle was fired, the trooper's position was plainly marked by thick black billowing clouds of smoke. On April 23, the expected order came and the Companies of the 5th Regiment assembled at their home stations. They prepared to move to Island Lake. From all over the Midwest members of Company D flocked in to join their comrades. Private Weir returned from Big Rapids where he was a student, Private Light from the university at Ann Arbor and Private Kennedy from Chicago.4 The actual telegraphic order, addressed to Colonel John P. Petermann, the Regiment's Commander, read 'Have your command ready to move in heavy marching order to Island Lake not later than Tuesday, April 26. Every available blanket and overcoat must be taken. Do not bring stoves or provisions, except rations to be used enroute. The men will find use for private blankets for a few days. Extra overcoats and blankets will be issued at camp. Mounted officers can take horses.' In turn the wires out from Calumet crackled with messages as the Company Commanders and Staff Officers were notified of the orders by telegram.5 Petermann, a strapping six-footer, was a young man of only 34 when he brought his Regiment to Island Lake. A resident of the Keweenaw town of Allouez, he was a merchant in civilian life. He would later be appointed as the Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Provisional Division, 5th Army Corps.6 When the marching orders for the 5th came a day later, the hometowns gave their local units a riotous send-off as parades, fiery oratory and loud cheering highlighted the celebrations. The Calumet Light Guard marched smartly out of the armory enroute to the train station. Stepping out to a lively tune from the 5th Regimental Band, thousands of people lined the flag draped streets. They cheered and waved. tearful farewells were bid at the station, the train left for Houghton to pick up Company F. Another riotous celebration was in progress when the Light Guard train reached Houghton. After a massive parade down Shelden Avenue, the Houghton unit, known as the Houghton Light Infantry, was honored by speeches from Lt. Governor Thomas B. Dustan and a local favorite Mr. A. J. Scott. It was Scott who drew the loudest cheers when he hoped 'the war would go on until every bow-legged, crooked-eyed, onion-eating Spaniard was wiped off the face of the earth!' The citizens of Houghton presented the unit with a silver bugle. The Hancock Fire Department gave them a silk flag. The Company marched to the station and joined the Calumet unit. The soldiers from Calumet were not forgotten in the turmoil over Company F. The 'Ladies from Lake Linden' presented each trooper with a colorful flower bouquet! The troop train pulled away from the station with cheers. It was estimated the entire population of both Houghton and Hancock were present.7 It is interesting to note that the Houghton Company was composed almost entirely of students from the Michigan School of Mines. (Today’s Michigan Technological University).8 When the train reached Chassell, the entire town was at the platform, along with a local band and fire department. An old cannon boomed while school children lined the railroad singing and waving flags. At Baraga, the townspeople cheered. Three old Indians did a war dance. Not to be outdone, another large crowd cheered at L'Anse. When the train reached Champion, amid cheers of thousands, the Sault Ste. Marie Company joined the Regiment. The train halted briefly at Republic where more speeches and cheers were heard. Although the train was under orders not to stop, it was hard not to halt when requested by town officials. When the train reached Iron Mountain, the Iron Mountain and Ironwood Companies climbed aboard. The entire town was at the station to bid farewell to their men. The troops remembered the Iron Mountain celebration as being a real 'monster.' The Ironwood Company, after being given a rousing hometown send-off, was cheered all along the route of their special train. At Bessemer, Wakefield, Watersmeet, Iron River, Florence and finally Iron Mountain, thousands of citizens had turned out to wish them well.9 Finally reaching Menominee shortly after midnight, the men on the train were greeted by yet another tumultuous demonstration. The band played as thousands of people cheered their arrival.10 At seven the next morning, the troops boarded the car ferry ANN ARBOR NO.2. They proceeded across Lake Michigan to Frankfort. But the celebrations were still not over! When the car ferry reached the Frankfort harbor, a barge filled with school children singing patriotic songs greeted it. The vessels in the harbor flew their holiday flags with loud accompaniment from their steam whistles. There the troops boarded another train for Island Lake. All along the route crowds cheered and cannons boomed their greeting as fireworks splashed across the evening sky.11 From the time they left Calumet, the men had received numerous gifts from the crowds. Company D had 1,000 cigars donated by various Houghton benefactors. Sam Stephenson, the legendary lumber baron, presented them with still more before they left Menominee. A Calumet liquor company provided each man with a bottle of medicinal brandy with the words 'Remember the Maine' written on the label.12 Local ladies donated countless pies, cakes and other sweet goods. It was reasonable to assume that when they reached Island Lake, a much-needed rest was in order. All told, 678 men and 33 officers of the 5th Regiment reported to Island Lake.13 At Island Lake the 5th joined the other Regiments in establishing a proper camp. This was not unlike the annual encampments that the men were used to. They pitched their tents and organized the daily ritual of guard mount. Then, priority went to reorganize the old Regiments into the new ones. The volunteers were officially mustered into Federal service. However, before any trooper could be accepted into Federal service, he was subjected to a rigorous physical exam. Approximately a quarter of the men, including in one case a Regimental Commander, failed to pass the exam and were given train fare home. One of those failing was the Regimental Surgeon, Major P. McNaughton. Colonel Petermann immediately wired Dr. J.A. Bobb of Calumet, offering him the vacated position. Bobb quickly accepted. It was a fateful decision for Dr. Bobb. While returning home from Cuba, aboard the steamer OLIVETTE, he would die from fever and be buried at sea.14 It was important to realize that there was a critical difference between the Michigan National Guard of 1898 and the Guard of today. Today the Guard can be Federalized and shipped of to war in the 'winkling of an eye.' This was not true in 1898. At that time, the Governor could order the units of the Guard to assemble at Island Lake. There they would offer their services to the President for Federal service. However, each man was required to personally volunteer. Not until he actually signed the muster rolls was he bound to go into Federal service. Of an estimated 3,400 men in camp, only 34 indicated that they would not volunteer for duty. A remarkable showing! While the troops were still on State Duty, the enlisted men were paid at the rate of $2.00 per day, less 75 cents for board. When they were mustered into Federal service, the pay was $16.00 a month, or approximately 52 cents a day. This was a cause of much grumbling.15 By all accounts, Camp Eaton was a firestorm of activity. As the supplies trickled in, the Michiganders were slowly equipped with the required tents, uniforms, blankets and miscellaneous equipment. Time was short with the organizing of the new 34th Regiment. What time remained was spent in training. They had to be ready to move to the front. The weekends were usually left free and visitors were common. Special trains brought sightseers from Grand Rapids, Detroit and other major cities. On a single weekend, up to 20,000 people visited the camp.16 During the month between their arrival at Island Lake and the Federal muster, each Regiment was ordered to increase its strength. They also had to replace their losses from the physical exams. Consequently each Company dispatched an officer back home to enlist additional men. The task was easy as volunteers were plentiful and hometown support still existed.17 Menominee, for example, raised a large contingent of men, as did several other U.P. towns. Major Cox, (later to become the Adjutant GENERAL OF Michigan) of the 34th Regimental Staff, even made a special trip north to inspect the new troops.18 The Companies of the 5th Regiment started to be mustered into Federal service on May 17 when Company H of Ironwood was accepted. The last Company was mustered in on May 23. Although the Regiments planned to have 12 Companies, the 34th entered service with only eleven. The official Muster Rolls list the Companies as:
The Regiment was further broken down into three Battalions, the 1st Battalion with Companies A, B, C and F; 2nd Battalion, Companies D, E, G and H; and the 3rd Battalion with Companies I, K and L.20 Later at Camp Alger, an M Company was added to the 3rd Battalion. While it can be readily seen that the 34th was primarily composed of Upper Peninsula units, it was only the 2nd Battalion that was a 'pure' U.P. organization.21 The make-up of the Regiment was a mirror image of society. Calumet's Company D had men from a wide array of occupations. These included teamsters, laborers, clerks, students, tailors, cigar makers, firemen, salesmen, timbermen, miners, butchers, painters, farmers, teachers, dentists, electricians and newspapermen. Nor were they native-born Americans as many hailed from countries such as Norway, Finland, Germany, England, Ireland and Denmark.22 On June 6, the much-awaited order came. The 34th departed Camp Eaton by train for Camp Russell A. Alger, Virginia. They arrived there on June 8. Governor Pingree of Michigan was on hand for their departure and sent his men off with a rousing speech.23 When, the Regiment arrived at Camp Alger, the first order of business was to cut a campsite from a hundred acres of forest. Although the work was hard and the temperature soared to over 100 degrees, the task was done quickly. At Camp Alger, both training and equipment issue were stepped up considerably. Included in the training were overnight tactical bivouacs and 20-mile marches on the shores of the Potomac River. Camp Alger must have been a busy place with a total of 29 Regiments in the camp! These Regiments represented nearly every State in the Union.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The 34th was quickly joined with the 33rd Michigan and 9th Massachusetts, known as the Irish Regiment, into a Provisional Separate Brigade under the command General Duffield.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Even at Camp Alger, recruiting took a major role. Company strength was increased from the original 86 to 106 men. New recruiting teams were sent back home for volunteers. Again, men were plentiful! The days at Camp Alger were long and tiring making diversions of any sort important to morale. It was common for the bands of the various Regiments to spend evenings serenading other Regiments. The 34th Band, formed from the old 5th Regiment band of Calumet, was considered a cut above the rest. It was remembered for a very clever rendition of Sousa's 'Swanee River.' 24 Early in the morning of June 24, the men of the 34th Michigan doffed their romantic wide-brimmed campaign hats and slung their heavy Springfields. They marched two miles to nearby Dunn Loring. There they boarded a waiting train for Newport News. They arrived at the seaport on the following morning. At the pier, the 1st Battalion of the 34th Michigan, together with the 33rd Michigan, boarded the steamer YALE. The remaining two Battalions of the 34th and the entire 9th of Massachusetts, boarded the U.S. Auxiliary Cruiser HARVARD (formally the CITY OF NEW YORK). The YALE departed Newport News first, making a rendezvous with the U.S. Blockading Squadron off Santiago early on June 27. The HARVARD arrived on the 30th.25 The overall American plan for the Cuban Campaign called the Army to encircle the city of Santiago (located on the southern tip of the island). The Navy was to blockade the Spanish fleet in the harbor. The capture of the city and destruction of the Spanish forces would cause the enemy to surrender. The landing of 17,000 American troops east of the city began on June 22. After fierce and bloody fighting, the Americans slowly forced their lines around Santiago and advanced on the city. Opposing the Americans were 36,500 Spanish troops armed with superior Mauser rifles using smokeless powder cartridges. Deadly at 1,000 yards, the Mauser indeed made life difficult for the Americans. On the afternoon of the 27th, the 1st Battalion of the 34th Michigan, together with the 33rd Michigan, went ashore near the squalid mining town of Siboney, located ten miles east of Santiago. The remainder of the 34th landed on the 31st. Siboney was the sight of the original American landings and a crucial supply point. As no dock facilities were available, the troops were loaded into the transport's lifeboats and towed by steam launches. When they reached the shallows near shore, they leaped into the surf and waded to the beach. The Regiment's horses were unceremoniously dumped overboard from the steamer and left to swim for the beach. Surprisingly, most made it. Initially the Regiment was assigned the task of guarding the Siboney beachhead. This dull duty wasn't to last long. Ten miles up the road from Siboney to the front was a group of hills known collectively as San Juan Heights. The capture of the hills would be the key to the capture of Santiago. On July 1, the fight for San Juan Heights began. In a battle that lasted most of the day, close to 16,000 American troops successfully stormed the heights. With a fearful cost, more than 4,000 Americans became casualties. All was peaceful in Siboney that day until 10 p.m. A messenger arrived with orders for the men to immediately march to the front. Although the assault had carried San Juan Heights, the situation was still in doubt. The Spanish had withdrawn in good order and had fresh reinforcements. They could counter-attack and drive the Americans back. Since the U.S. had no reserves at the front, the 34th Michigan and 9th Massachusetts were ordered to move forward and strengthen the lines. The 34th Band, however, was left behind to guard the beachhead and work as aides in the hospital. 26
All night long the Michiganders struggled up the narrow, winding path that served as the main supply route to the front. They were burdened with blanket rolls, haversacks, three days rations, and a hefty 100 rounds of ammunition per man. They hacked their way through clinging jungle vines, climbed steep mountain passes, waded through thick swamps, and forded swiftly running streams. They sweated in their heavy woolen uniforms and suffered in heat that men, used to the primal cold of the far north, found devastating. For seven long hours, the green troops of the Regiment trudged to the front. Along the way, they were accompanied by shouts of 'close-up, close-up' by the officers and NCO’s. Enemy sharpshooters lurked deep in the jungles as straggling lines of wounded constantly delayed the long column. At 3 a.m. Colonel Petermann reached General Shafter's Headquarters. He reported the 34th ready for action. Petermann received orders to continue forward and support General Wheeler. Wheeler, also known as 'Fighting Joe', was a colorful character in the American Forces. He was a fearless 62-year-old ex-General of the Confederate Calvary in the Civil War. During the height of battle in Cuba, he was heard to yell to his men: ‘Give those Yankees hell now, boys!’ referring to the Spanish. At 8 a.m., July 2, the 34th reached General Wheeler's position. They were ordered to support the extreme left of the line against a Spanish counter-attack. Later in the afternoon, the 34th was shifted into the center.27 From their arrival, the men were under deadly fire from Spanish positions. The fire varied from 200 to 800 yards distance. The 34th was in an area of tall grass, which afforded some concealment, but no protection. Slowly, shovels appeared and the Regiment began to dig itself in. Years later a veteran of the action would remember 'the unmerciful sun and bullets whizzing over our heads.' Regular shrapnel bursts only added to the excitement. During the next night, the Spanish made a determined assault on the heights as the forward Regiment repulsed them. On hearing the firing, Colonel Petermann prepared the 34th for a possible counter-attack. They were to support the defending Regiment. The 34th's heavy Springfields joined in with the newer Krags of the Regular Army as an estimated 800 of the attackers died. Normally, the 34th was not allowed to return fire since they were armed with the black powder rifles.28 During that day, a Regiment of American reinforcements arrived. The lines were drawn tighter around Santiago as the casualties continued to mount. Another 150 men were killed and over 1,000 wounded. By July 3, the American situation was still serious. With great audacity, they called for the Spanish to surrender. The Spanish declined to reply. The military attachés of many foreign countries frequently observed the battlefield action. On several occasions, Colonel Petermann divided his rations with the German, Swedish and Russian attachés when they visited the 34th.29 The 34th had only suffered light casualties due to enemy action. However, various cases of malarial were increasing daily. To handle them, Surgeon Bobb established and manned a relief hospital directly behind the lines. The full Regimental Hospital was located four miles to the rear.30 As in all wars, fate stalked the lines with a strange sense of humor. In one case, a Mauser bullet bounced harmlessly off a tunic button of a Staff Lt. Colonel, only to seriously wound a private. In another case, a man was sent to the hospital with a severe injury after being run down by a stampeding mule!31 Because of the thick terrain, enemy snipers were constantly slipping around the flank of the Regiment. The snipers fired into the American rear. In one day, Lt. McDonald, using a detail of eight sharpshooters, managed to round up 21 of the Spanish snipers.32 Throughout this period, the 34th was at the end of a very long and tenuous supply line. Everything was short, including rations. When a load of hated sowbelly and hardtack finally made it through, the troops devoured it eagerly. On July 4, Company D, along with the remainder of the 2nd Battalion, withdrew from the lines. They were given the task of constructing a road for the movement of heavy siege artillery. This artillery was considered necessary for the reduction of Santiago. The road wound from the depths of the jungle to the crest of the heights. The road construction was hard, tough work, which required the building of a bridge over the treacherous San Juan River. In spite of the difficulties, the 34th was successful in accomplishing their mission. The mechanics, backwoodsmen and tradesmen did wonders in the Cuban wilderness. The construction of the bridge is a tale in itself. It seems that the Regular Army Engineer from the staff of Major General Shafter, the Army Commander of Cuba, told the General that the bridge was impossible to build. Lt. Thielman, a 34th Staff Officer in charge of roadwork, was in the vicinity and overhead the remarks. Lt. Thielman commented to General Shafter he could have the bridge done by 2 p.m. Thielman, a timber man in civilian life, was used to handling millions of feet of lumber every year. He just couldn't see the problem. With nothing to lose, General Shafter gave the approval. Two miles upstream from the bridge site, Thielman found some suitable timber in a coconut grove. After cutting a sufficient number of the massive coconut logs, the men hauled them down the river. They used telegraph wire to drag them since rope was not available. After the logs were trimmed to a standard length of 64 feet, they were carefully placed according to Thielman's plan. A latticework of earth filled bamboo was added as a roadway. The entire bridge was completed an hour early. Not to make the task look too easy, Thielman delayed reporting its completion to Shafter until five minutes before its deadline.33 After a week at the front, the 34th withdrew to the coast for a rest. The campground there was reportedly excellent, with a good stream only a hundred yards away and a cool ocean breeze. However, the land crabs were so thick that if a man laid down to rest, a comrade had to closely watch to keep them from crawling over his resting companion.34 In July the Spanish Fleet sailed forth from Santiago Harbor. This allowed the blockading American Naval Fleet to destroy it! The surrender of the city was now considered assured. In the early evening of July 13, the 34th was again ordered to the front. They force-marched the same long, hot, winding trails they climbed when they first arrived. The 34th reached the lines early in the next morning. Their long march was in vain.35 On July 15, the city formally surrendered when more than 12,000 Spanish troops laid down their arms. The 2nd Battalion of the 34th was later used to guard the road to Santiago. This required a change of bivouac sites. The new campground, located in swampy terrain, was literally a death trap. Within a week, ten men from Company D were dead from fever.36 After the hostilities ended, the troops did what soldiers all over the world did. They explored the captured city of Santiago. With illegal passes, they drank large quantities of the local liquor and made eyes at the pretty dark-haired senoritas! The men reported the local rum gave the man the 'jaggiest kind of jag’, and made one feel as if ‘he had fallen into the Quincy Mine; been dragged through the murky waters of Portage Lake and mopped over the Mining College (Michigan Tech) campus.' 37 The Army placed Santiago off limits. However, access to the city was provided through the efforts of several crafty unit members. These crafty men were newspaper reporters in civilian life. They used their old press credentials to obtain special military passes. These men graciously rotated these passes through the unit so everyone had a chance to see the sights.38 With the defeat of Spain, the 34th Infantry withdrew from Cuba. They left on August 20 and arrived at Montauk Point, New York a week later. On September 5, Company D arrived home at Calumet. They mustered out on the 26th of November. The remainder of the 34th reached home within a day of Calumet. For its participation in the war (through Company D), the Battalion flag proudly carries a battle streamer embroidered with 'Santiago.' Company D paid a high price for its Cuban adventures. Seventeen men of the original strength of 106 lost their lives, most dead from malarial. Again, the fates were not always kind. Private Rowe survived not only Spanish bullets, but also jungle fever. Unfortunately, on his return to Calumet, he was hit and killed by a railroad train!39 The Company was now bloodied. It was a veteran unit prepared for whatever the nation would require of it. In the years ahead, the nation would require much. It's interesting to note that the Michigan volunteers were committed to action a bare 41 days after being mustered into Federal service. While this speed was evidently caused by the need for immediate troops, it was an occurrence that would not happen again. The experience of the war had shown the Army that it must be prepared to rapidly expand when necessary. They must be able to adequately clothe, equip and train the required troops. This all would take time.
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