1st U S
Volunteer Cavalry
G Troop
The history of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry commanded by Colonel Leonard Wood is an interesting one. It is full of famous names and people of the late 1890’s. The most famous of all is the man that would latter command the regiment as well as become the President of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt. The part of this regiment that I will deal with is that of G Troop.
Training: Most of the members of G Troop were from the New Mexico Territory, a total of 37. The second most prolific state was Illinois with 12. Other states represented include Texas, Arizona, Missouri, New York, Massachusetts, the Indian Territory, Louisiana, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Michigan, Colorado, New Jersey, Kentucky, California, West Virginia and Nebraska. Most all enlisted at Santa Fe in early May, 1898 and were to receive their training at San Antonio which was selected as the training center for the 1st US Vol. Cavalry.
Colonel Wood arrived in San Antonio on Thursday, May 5, 1898. The contingent from New Mexico arrived on May 10. For the time being they were quartered in the Exposition Hall near the center of the fairgrounds. On May 11 Colonel Wood announced that there would be three squadrons of four troops each. Each troop would contain 65 but later was increased.
On May 12, the regiment was taken on a long extended drill of marching several miles from camp and over two hours of drill. Squadron drill came in the afternoon, followed by first regimental drill formation. On May 14 G Troop was issued their Krag Model 1896 carbine.
May 18 had the excitement of the demonstration of a new weapon, Colt’s rapid fire guns. These guns could fire 500 rounds per minute. On May 19 tents arrived at the camp. These were dog tents consisting of two pieces four feet wide and six and a half feet long, buttoned together over a ridge pole about three feet high.
Drill continued all through May. The heat was punishing with several of the Rough Riders suffering its effects, but they continued to drill. May 29 reveille sounded at 3:00 AM an hour earlier than usual. By 9: 00 the regiment was on their way to the stockyards to load on the waiting trains.
The Rough Riders reached Tampa June 2. Not having enough transport ships, the Rough Riders would go as dismounted cavalry. They would operate as infantry while in Cuba.
G Troop would travel to Cuba on the transport ship the "Yucatan" and arrive at Daiquiri June 22. The landing at Daiquiri was unopposed. Any Spanish in the area had already took off toward Santiago.
Engagements:
June 24 Las Guasimas
July 1 Attack up Kettle Hill
July to August: San Juan Ridge
Problems: Lack of food
Lack of ammunition(reserve of the entire army was only 521,000 rounds of .30-40 Krag rounds.)
Land crabs, bugs, heat etc.
G Troop over came these problems and with the victories in the engagements they shared in the glorious reputation shared by all members of the regiment.
Uniforms:
Shirt: blue wool 1883 campaign shirt
Trousers: brown canvas 1884
Jacket: matching brown 1884
Leggings: dark brown canvas
Hat: Brown felt campaign hat
Neckerchief: Most worn a blue with white polka-dot bandanna
similar to what Colonel Roosevelt worn.
Cartridge belt: blue double row cavalry belt holding 100 rounds
of .30-40 Krag and 12 rounds of .38 Colt revolver. This belt also
had the saber hanger hook. The revolver loops were stretched out
to hold the .45 Colt ammunition. G Troop were issued the Colt .45
single action revolver with the 5 and a half inch barrel.
Weapons: .30-40 Krag Model 1896 carbine
.45 Colt Single Action Army revolver 5 1/2 inch barrel
knife: many carried the army issue hunting knife if they could
find one but others carried the Krag knife bayonet if they could
find it.
G Troop and the rest of the Rough Riders were unique in that they were the only volunteer cavalry to be issued the Krag Carbines. In fact most volunteer infantry were armed with the obsolete Trap-door Springfield Rifle in .45-70 firing black powder.
On August 14 the transport "Miami" dropped anchor off Montauk Point. It was at Montauk Point that G Troop would recuperate before they would be mustered out of service. On September 13 they received their last Army pay. It was also the day that the mustering out began. By the days end members of G, H, K, and M Troops had turned in their equipment concluded their military service.
Troopers from Illinois
1. Faupel, Henry F., Martington, Illinois
23, 5 feet 10 inches, blue eyes, dark brown hair
railroad
joined: May 3, 1898 Santa Fe
single
2. Haefner, George V., Born in Marissa,
Illinois
21, 5 feet 8 inches, dark eyes, dark brown hair
miner
joined: May 3, 1898 Santa Fe
single
3. Haefner, Henry J., born in Marissa, Illinois
23, 5 feet 6 inches, brown eyes, dark brown hair
miner
joined: May 3, 1898 Sante Fe
single
mortally wounded June 24, 1898
4. Jones, William H., born in Fairbury,
Illinois
28, 5 feet 6 inches, brown eyes, dark brown hair
miner
joined: May 5, 1898 Sante Fe
single
5. Leahy, David J., born in Illinois
31, 5 feet 11 inches, blue eyes, light hair
attorney
joined: May 7, 1898 Santa Fe
single
wounded July 1, 1898
6. O’Neal, Thomas, born in Macon County,
Illinois
33, 5 feet 7 inches, blue eyes, dark brown hair
cowboy
joined May 5, 1898 Sante Fe
single
7. Pierce, Howard, born Chicago, Illinois
23, 5 feet 3 inches, brown eyes, black hair
railroad
joined May 3, 1898 Santa Fe
single
8. Ragland, Robert C., Born in Mulberry Grove,
Illinois
21, 5 feet 8 inches, gray eyes, black hair
butcher
joined May 5, 1898 Santa Fe
single
9. Reid, Robert W., Born in Decatur, Illinois
25, 5 feet 7 inches, blue eyes, light brown hair
railroad
joined May 5, 1898 Santa Fe
single
wounded June 24, 1898
10. Reid, William S. born Decatur,
Illinois
33, 5 feet 11 inches, blue eyes, brown hair
blacksmith
joined May 5, 1898 Santa Fe
single
11. Tait, John H., born in Chicago, Illinois
25, 5 feet 8 inches, blue eyes, light brown hair
fireman
joined May 5, 1898 Santa Fe
single
12. Welch, Anthony, born Chicago, Illinois
23, 5 feet 6 inches, blue eyes, light brown hair
plumber
joined May 6, 1898 Santa Fe
single
Source:
Jones, Virgil Carrington. "Roosevelt's Rough Riders", Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, New York 1971.
Andrew L. Bresnan brez13@frontiernet.net
1st US Volunteer
Cavalry
G Troop
Spanish-American War 1898 Reenactor Group
The 1st US Volunteer Cavalry G Troop reeanctment troop was organized by Andrew L. Bresnan in 1998. So far this is a small troop of history interested people. This unit is also equiped to portray the Spanish side of the War of 1898 and has participated in several Spanish-American War reenactments. These include: Spanish-American War Centennial Re-enactment - Palestine, TX – 1998 Ft. St. Clair Time Line Re-enactment – Eaton, OH – 1999, 2000 U.S.A.W.S. Annual Event – Montauk Point, NY – 2000. Events for 2001 will include the Ft. St. Clair Time Line event as well as the National Spainish-American War event to be held in Jerseyville, Illinois the first weekend of August. Our mission is not only to give the public a chance to see the uniforms, equipment and weapons of the 1st USV Cavalry but to provide a glimpse at the human aspect of what so many times history only refers to as “The Splinded Little War”.
Equipment and Uniforms
The basic uniform that is used by G Troop for participation in reenactments is the following: Model 1884 brown duck jacket and trousers, the Model 1883 overshirt of blue wool, the 1889 campaign hat, 1894 leggings of brown duck 15 inches, Krag Cavalry cartridge belt 100 rounds carbine ammo with 12 pistol cartridge loops, black 1885 holster, black ankle boot, and blue bandana. Other equipment includes haversack and strap, canteen and cavalry strap, knife or Krag bayonet, dog tent and poles or A tent, and other period equipment.
Weapons: Krag carbine Model 1896. These are hard to find and very expensive so any Krag carbine will work and even a proper configured cut-down rifle will work. The sidearm for the Rough Riders is the Colt .45 with the 5 1/2 barrel. The sidearm is optional but a Krag is very important to locate.
Check out this link for a list of suppliers: Click Here.
Any questions about the Rough Riders or our Spanish portrayal feel free to e-mail me at brez13@frontiernet.net
SANTIAGO MEETS ST. LOUIS
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR NATIONAL RE-ENACTMENT
Illinois
Greetings Fellow Re-enactors and U.S.A.W.S. Member Units,
During the days of August 3-5, 2001 members of the 9th U.S. Infantry and the Batallon de Cazadores No. 25 will be hosting the 2001 National re-enactment of the Spanish-American War on the grounds of the 1866 Fulkerson Mansion. This event has been voted as the U.S.A.W.S. “Annual” for 2001 and member units will be making the maximum effort to attend this event. The previous U.S.A.W.S. events have been a great success and we hope to continue the tradition.
The site is located approximately 1.5 miles north of Jerseyville, Illinois on IL Route 267. The Fulkerson Mansion sets on Hazel Dell Farm which covers approximately 60 acres. The privately owned property has a variety of terrain that includes rolling hills, open fields, woods, and wooded creek. This variety will allow us to provide the re-enactors with various U.S. & Cuban vs. Spanish battle scenarios including pre-1898 skirmishes between Cuban and Spanish forces. Jerseyville is located approximately 45 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri. The event’s close proximity to St. Louis makes it convenient for those who are flying in from around the country. Those who need to may ship ammunition and supplies for the event ahead of time as long as prior arrangements are made. Those wishing to do so will need to contact Steve Beaver of the 9th U.S. or Robert Leinweber of the Patria Battalion.
All authentic impressions both military and civilian as well as period sutlers are encouraged to register for this event.
Collectors and historians are welcome to register for the event and set up displays of original artifacts and give lectures regarding this period of history.
This event is designed as a “non-spectator” event which means that we are not advertising to the public as to our presence or activities on the site. If curious people stop by then they are welcome to watch our activities. This event is for the re-enactors to really enjoy themselves and to exchange information and ideas.
Plans at this point are to have the day filled with the various aspects of daily military life including but not limited to drill and battle re-enactments. Dispalys of original items and lectures are encouraged as well. Tentative plans have been made to tour a military museum in St. Louis if enough folks are interested. If you have any suggestions for activities that you would like to see take place please let us know.
At least one mock up of a block house is to be constructed with hopes of constructing more if the level of participation warrants it. Additionally, entrenchments are to be dug and improved with sand bags and strung with real barbed wire.
Garrison style camps are planned for the primary camping area near the mansion. However, the option is open for campaign style or front line camps to be established for those who want the feel of the jungles of Cuba, Puerto Rico or the Philippines.
Since this is “non-spectator” event the funding for the event is obtained through registration fees. Water, Firewood, straw, portable toilets and meals/rations are to be provided by the event through the collection of registration fees.
Deadline for registration is July 1, 2001. Please be sure to have your registration postmarked no later than July 1, 2001. This deadline helps us to make sure that the necessary funds will be on hand to pay for the expenses of the event. Registration fees are: $20.00 per soldier, $15.00 per civilian and no charge for children who are 12 or younger. Registration should be made payable to and sent to Robert Leinweber at the address below. If you have any questions or will not be able to meet the deadline please contact us as soon as possible.
U.S. Military and civilians are being coordinated by Steve Beaver of the 9th U.S. Infantry. He can be contacted at:
Steve Beaver
P.O. Box 283
Mulberry, IN 46058-0283
Spanish and Cuban military and civilians as are being coordinated by Robert Leinweber of the 25th Rifle Battalion at:
Robert Leinweber
P.O. Box 73
Easton, IL 62633
(309) 562 – 7664