Was there a minimum enlistment age in the Spanish American War?

[albatrosdva]

This is Richard A Gilliam. He was born Dec 23, 1884 and enlisted in the 2nd WV Infantry on June 26, 1898. He would serve until April 10, 1899 and attain the rank of corporal in Company C. He was from Virginia so maybe he lied about his age and they found out later? The dates come from his Veterans Administration index card. 

[albatrosdva]

[CAC1901]

It was lowered from 21 to 18 when the war started. He enlisted in a state unit so they would have screened him. Physicians checked soldiers out during the process and it is said  they would know a recruits likely age. The fact that so many teenagers under 18 made it into service shows a lot of winks nods and turned heads were going on along the chain.  

[albatrosdva]

28 minutes ago, CAC1901 said:

It was lowered from 21 to 18 when the war started. He enlisted in a state unit so they would have screened him. Physicians checked soldiers out during the process and it is said  they would know a recruits likely age. The fact that so many teenagers under 18 made it into service shows a lot of winks nods and turned heads were going on along the chain.  

That makes sense. He doesn't look 13 in this picture. Pretty impressive he got away with it

[BEAST]

This may just urban myth, but I read that during the Civil War, underage recruits would write the number "18" on a piece of paper and stick it in their shoe.  This way, they could honestly attest that they were "over 18" when asked.