Legion of Spanish War Veterans of the United States

[frederick]

Legion of Spanish War Veterans of the United States

 

Organized in 1899, this group was active in the New England area with a maximum membership of 3000 (Bishop and Elliott). It was open to all veterans of the Spanish-American War regardless of rank or place of service. Around 1908 the society gave up its independence and joined the USWV.

 

I have in my library a ledger from the Roger Wolcott Camp #26, Legion of Spanish War Veterans where the National Constitution and Camp By-laws are written in an excellent hand. The Camp had the standard officer titles, such as Commander, Vice-Commander, adjutant, Paymaster, etc. Under membership, Section One says, "Any veteran of the Spanish War who can show an honorable discharge may become a comrade of this Camp provided he receive not more than one black ball in every twenty balls cast by the comrades present at any meeting." At this time voting with Black and White balls or marbles was a common practice in many organizations (lodges, civic groups, volunteer fire depts, etc.). There is also a provision, via the National Constitution, for Honorary Memberships. The ledger has only two Honorary Members; one admitted in Feb, 1902 and one admitted in June, 1904.

 

In Article VIII, Section 2, "The uniform of this Camp shall be a dark blouse and trousers similar to undress uniform worn by United States Army Officers, regulation U.S. Campaign hat with cord provided however that at the discretion of the Commander, comrades may be allowed to wear their service uniform or civilian clothes."

 

These Camp By-laws are dated Feb 20, 1902.

 

Behind the Camp By-laws is a listing of Camp membership with a notation the member has or was issued a button (lapel?) and badge. There are 87 names noted as Charter Members and 221 names as regular members beginning in Oct, 1901 and going to Oct, 1908. All of these names appear to be hand entries in ink by the member.

 

Several blank pages later, the ledger has a new, but incomplete, set of Camp By-laws in a different hand identifying the group as Roger Wolcott Camp #23, Dept. of Massachusetts, United Spanish War Veterans. There are no other entries.

[khclark44]

Hello. I am researching the wording for a missing plaque for a Spanish War Memorial Statue in New Haven, Ct. We have uncovered the potential wording, but have been attempting to verify it as well as to discover if anyone in your group might have any additional information about the statue. The statue was erected in 1926 through a petition presented by Allan M. Osborn Camp. It is a wonderful statue "...depicting an American Infantryman, accoutered in accordance with the period portrayed, advancing to attack...including a bedroll around his shoulders, a canteen fastened to his belt, a knapsack on his back and ammunition around his waist. He wears a floppy soft hat on his head and is charging with a rifle" (New Haven Parks Commission).

 

There is also the completely unfounded and disputed rumor that either the statue (or more likely) the plaque was cast from the metal from the "Maine" that was sunk in Havana Harbor in 1898.

 

Would appreciate any information you might have regarding this. Thank you.

Khclark

[firefighter]

FREDERICK that is a beautiful medal.

[firefighter]

Hello. I am researching the wording for a missing plaque for a Spanish War Memorial Statue in New Haven, Ct. We have uncovered the potential wording, but have been attempting to verify it as well as to discover if anyone in your group might have any additional information about the statue. The statue was erected in 1926 through a petition presented by Allan M. Osborn Camp. It is a wonderful statue "...depicting an American Infantryman, accoutered in accordance with the period portrayed, advancing to attack...including a bedroll around his shoulders, a canteen fastened to his belt, a knapsack on his back and ammunition around his waist. He wears a floppy soft hat on his head and is charging with a rifle" (New Haven Parks Commission).

 

There is also the completely unfounded and disputed rumor that either the statue (or more likely) the plaque was cast from the metal from the "Maine" that was sunk in Havana Harbor in 1898.

 

Would appreciate any information you might have regarding this. Thank you.

Khclark

 

Is this the monument? http://ctmonuments.net/2010/12/spanish-american-war-monument-new-haven/