Company M was from St. Cloud. It was mustered in with the following commissioned officers: James E. McKelvey, captain;
Leigh D. Bruckart, of Minneapolis, first lieutenant; Henry J. Limperich, second lieutenant.
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Thirteenth left Camp Ramsey on May 16, 1898, and on the 21st arrived at San Francisco, Calif. It was quartered at
Camp Merritt until the 23rd of June, when it embarked on the transport City of Para and on August 7, 1898, landed at
Paranaqua, Philippine Islands. As part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, commanded by Brigadier-General McArthur,
the regiment took part in the engagement before Manila on August 13, 1898. From August 30, 1898, to the latter part of
February, 1899, it was on provost duty around Sampoloe. During this time it was in several skirmishes with the insurgents.
On March 19, 1899, it was ordered into the field as part of the brigade commanded by Brig.-Gen. R. P. Hall and was in
several engagements in the Marquina Valley. At the battle of Santa Maria, April 12, 1899, the Thirteenth received "honorable mention" for its bravery and display of discipline. Major Diggles was severely wounded at the battle of
Bocane on the 8th of May and died on the 14th. Eight companies were with General Lawton's expedition into the interior.
While guarding the Manila & Daguapan Railroad between Isabel and Mariola, the regiment was almost constantly engaged
in skirmishes with the insurgents. The Thirteenth was the only Minnesota regiment to see actual service. Altogether it
was in 35 engagements, lost forty-one men by death, many of whom were killed in action; eighty-three were wounded, and
three were reported missing.
Minnesota & Its People, Vol. II, edited by Joseph A. A. Burnquist,
LL.D., Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1924), pp. 173-174 |