Volume V August 2011 No. 7. Official Newsletter of the MICAH JOHN JENKINS CAMP NO Sons of Spanish American War Veterans

Transcription

1 The Picket Volume V August 2011 No. 7 Official Newsletter of the MICAH JOHN JENKINS CAMP NO. 164 Sons of Spanish American War Veterans

2 The Picket The Official Newsletter of the Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans Volume V, Number 7 August 2011 The Picket The Picket is the monthly publication of Micah J. Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, for the Carolina s & Georgia. It is sent out via on the first Thursday of each month. Any and all articles are welcome for submission and should be sent in via to the Camp President no later than the last Friday of each of month. CONTENTS OF THE PICKET Americanism President s Message New Brothers Announcements Camp Calendar CAMP OFFICERS ( ) President Kenneth H. Robison II Johnnyreb6@aol.com; (803) Old Forge Road, Chapin, S.C., Secretary / Treasurer Christopher Robison SigSauer07@aol.com; (803) Berryhill Lane, Columbia, S.C. The Wyoming Light Battery General Joe Wheeler (Poem) Speech of Pres. McKinley, Sept. 3, Photo of the Month On the Cover: Grave of Private J.P. McLendon, 2nd S.C. Volunteers, National Cemetery, Florence, S.C.

3 AMERICANISM Americanism is an unfailing love of Country, Loyalty to its institutions and ideas, eagerness to defend it against all enemies, undivided allegiance to the Flag and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity. folks in the United States offer an apology to the Japanese for the attack on Pearl Harbor. After seeing several articles in local newspapers over the past three years that provide rather large coverage to the memorials commemorating the dropping of the Atomic Bomb, which providing almost no coverage on Pearl Harbor Day (December 7th), and then hearing of the Japanese being allowed to hold a memorial FROM THE CAMP PRESIDENT Brothers of Camp 164, I hope that this finds everyone doing well, and in good health. We are still awaiting word on the exact details of the 75th National Convention of the Sons, however we have received word that the Convention went well, and that the following are the new elected officers of the Organization: National President Bernie O Bryan, Kentucky National Senior Vice President Jim Kiger, Kentucky National Junior Vice President Joe Ferrara, Pennsylvania On behalf of the members of our camp we would like to wish them success and wisdom in leading the Sons over the course of the next year. We have the utmost confidence in them, and look forward to a prosperous year. The only other item that I have to mention at this time is a possible Memorial Service which is being looked into and which the Camp may be hosting. With the recent events and the passing of time, veterans and the events which transpired in their lifetimes often become forgotten and get left behind in the public mind. Me and my grandfather have had many talks about the events of December 7th, 1941, at Pearl aboard the monument to the U.S.S. Arizona I have begun to fear that people of my generation have forgotten about the United States Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, who died at Pearl Harbor. The primary purpose of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans is to ensure that the memory of the Veterans of 1898 to 1902 is preserved, however it is also our job to protect the memory of all of our Veterans. To that end I have checked around to find that in the entire state of South Carolina there is only one Pearl Harbor Day Service in Charleston, South Carolina, that receives very little attention, it is hoped that the members of the camp will join me in fixing this injustice to the American Serviceman and Woman. Please keep an eye out for future s and notices about this in the newsletter and I hope that you will all agree that this is not something we would like to see done, but something that will be done. They earned the right to be remembered. With all that said, I once again wish you all well, and look forward to when we can all come together again and preserve the memory of these forgotten Veterans. In Fraternity, Patriotism, & Humanity, Kenneth H. Robison, President, Micah J. Jenkins Camp 164, SSAWV Harbor, Hawaiian Islands, and he has always told me that he dreads the day when political correctness wins out and that Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 2

4 NEW BROTHERS Brian L. Sharp of Harlem, Georgia Descendant of Corporal & Company Cook Charles A. Dumas of Company E of the 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, buried at the Point Clear Cemetery in Point Clear, Alabama unknown, and forgotten. A major part of the purpose of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans is the preservation of these Veterans memories. As a part of this we are calling on all members of the Order to assist in locating and documenting the locations of these Veterans graves. If you know of the location of the grave of a Spanish American War Veteran, or think there may be one in a particular cemetery, take the time to contact the Camp Graves Registration Officer with the information, so that the Veterans grave will be recorded in the camp records, and then in the National Organizations records. Once the veterans service is confirmed the Graves Registration officer will create a page for the Veteran on the Find-A-Grave website, with as much of a biography for the soldier as can be obtained. For more information on how you can help please contact the Camp President for more information. ANNOUNCEMENTS MEMBERSHIP MEDALS. The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans membership medals are available for purchase from the National Supply Officer, Brother Jim Kiger. The cost for a medal is $22.00, which includes the cost for shipping. For more information on how to place an order contact Brother Kiger at (859) or by regular mail at: 278 Gettysburg Road, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, GRAVES REGISTRATION. Today in many cemeteries throughout the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, hundreds of Spanish- American War Veteran s graves remain un-marked, CAMP CALENDAR Do you see a correction or know of an event that needs to be added to this calendar? If so please notify the newsletter editor of the correction or addition. August 2011 Nothing at this time Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 3

5 September 2011 Nothing at this time October 2011 Thursday, 27th: Theodore Roosevelt s Birthday November 2011 Friday, 11th: Veteran s Day December 2011 Wed., 7th: 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day THE WYOMING LIGHT BATTERY By Kenneth H. Robison II What was to become the Wyoming Volunteer Light Battery was organized in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on February 19th, 1895, as the Alger Light Battery (Battery A) of the Wyoming National Guard. With the declaration of War between the United States and Spain the State of Wyoming was assigned a quota of one Infantry Battalion in April of 1898, however on May 25th, 1898, President William McKinley issued a call for an additional 75,000 Volunteers, and under this call the Governor was asked to supply one Battery of Artillery for volunteer service. In the Wyoming National Guard there was only Battery of artillery, the Alger Light Artillery, and as such they were called by the Governor to assemble for service. On June 11th, 1898, the Battery begin recruiting its numbers up to the 125 officers and men who were needed for the battery to be mustered into service, and four days later (June 15th) the Battery had completed its efforts and had reached the required number. The following day (June 16th) the Battery was formed in ranks and mustered into United States service at Cheyenne as the Wyoming Light Battery for a term of Granville R. Palmer Captain, Wyoming Battery two years service, numbering three (3) officers and one hundred twenty-two (122) enlisted men under the command of Captain Granville R. Palmer. After remaining in camp at Cheyenne for a few more days the Battery left on the 24th aboard trains for San Francisco, California, arriving at that place on the 28th of the month and were greeted upon their arrive by Governor Richards, and going into camp at the Presidio continued the work of learning the art of soldiering. On November 8th, 1898, the Battery broke camp and marched to the docks where they boarded the transport Newport along with Brigadier General Marcus P. Miller, U.S. Volunteers, and his staff, for service in the Philippine Islands. The transport arrived off of Manila on December 6th, and on the 7th disembarked and marched to the town of Cavite where it was assigned to the Military District of Cavite, remaining there until July of 1899, during this time the men were engaged variously in the actions at Salinos, Rossario, Novaleta, and Caite Viejo. Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 4

6 While serving in the Philippines the Battery was commanded by Lieutenant, later Captain, Harry A. Clarke as Captain Palmer had been ordered to remain in San Francisco to await the results of an examination as to his fitness for service. The results of this examination were part of the concerns that lead to Captain Palmers death on November 11th, 1898, when he took his own life in his quarters at the Presidio in San Francisco. On July 8th, 1899, the Battery, having received orders to prepare to return to the United States for mustering out, turned over their four guns to the 6th United States Artillery Regiment at Cavite, and moves to Manila. On the 30th the men of the Battery board the transport Grant in Manila, along with the men of the 1st Wyoming Volunteer Infantry Battalion, and sail for the United States. The Grant arrived at San Francisco, California, on August 29th, 1899, and the men disembarked and moved into their respective camps. After a few weeks rest and the settling of accounts the Battery was mustered out of United States service on September 23rd, 1899, in San Francisco, California, with three (3) officers and fifty-seven (57) enlisted men, under the command of Captain Clarke. Through the good will of the citizens of the State of Wyoming money had been assembled by a group of private citizens (as the state had no allotment for the transportation of the men back to the State) and the men of the Battery were able to return to their homes without having to bear the cost themselves. During the Battery s service it had a total of six (6) officers and one hundred-twenty four (124) enlisted men on its rolls, of this number two (2) officers resigned their commissions and one (1) committed suicide (Captain Palmer), one (1) enlisted-man was transferred, nine (9) were discharged due to disability, three (3) were discharged by a general courts-martial, forty (40) were discharged by order, two (2) died of disease, and twelve (12) deserted from the battery, for total loss in the battery of 70 officers and enlisted. GEN. JOE WHEELER By Andrew Armstrong Here s three times three to Little Joe, Who led our troops against the foe Down in the wilds of Santiago For a cause we think is right! Here s to our hero, tried and true, A daring hero, through and through, Ours still, although he wears the blue For a cause we know is right! Here is to Alabama s pride, The gallant general, by whose side Her truest sons once fought and died For a cause we thought was right! Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 5

7 so long as they are SPEECH OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY Given on September 3rd, 1898, to the troops at Camp Wikoff, Long Island, New York Taken from Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley General Wheeler, Soldiers of Camp Wikoff, Soldiers of the Fifth Army Corps: I am glad to meet you. I am honored to meet the brave men who stand before me today. I bring you the gratitude of the nation, to whose history you have added, by your valor, a new and glorious page. You have come home after two months of severe campaigning, which has embraced assault and siege and battle, so brilliant in achievement, so far reaching in results as to command the unstinted praise of all your country-men. You had the brunt of the battle on land. You bore yourselves with supreme courage, and your personal bravery, never before excelled anywhere, has won the admiration of your fellow citizens and the genuine respect of all mankind, while the endurance of the soldier under peculiar trial and suffering has given an added meaning to American heroism. Your victories made easy the conquest of Porto Rico, under the resistless army commanded by Major General Miles (Nelson Appleton Miles), and behind you, ready to proceed at a moment s summons, were more than two hundred thousand of your comrades, disappointed that the opportunity which you had did not come to them, but yet filled with pride at your well earned fame and rejoicing with you upon your signal victories. You were on the line of battle; they no less than you were in the line of duty. All have served their country in its hour of need; all will serve it required; and all will forever have the thanks and regard of a grateful people. We cannot bid you welcome here today without our hearts going out to the heroes of Manila on sea and land, whose services and sacrifices, whose courage and constancy, in that far distant field of operations, have never been surpassed by any sailors or soldiers the world over. To the army and navy, to the marines, to the regulars, to the volunteers, and to that Providence which has watched over them all, the nation today is full of thanksgiving and praise. The names of the brave officers and men who fell in the battle and of those who have died from exposure and sickness will live in immortal story. Their memories will be perpetuated in the hearts and history of a generous people; and those who are dependent upon them will not be neglected by the government for which they so freely sacrificed their lives. Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 6

8 PHOTO OF THE MONTH Flag of the William McKinley Camp No. 2, Department of Wyoming, United Spanish War Veterans, of Laramie, Wyoming Micah John Jenkins Camp No. 164, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 7