 Minnesota was the first state of the Union to respond to the call of the president for volunteers, at the beginning of the
war with Spain, in April, 1898. Three regiments, designated as the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments of the
Minnesota Volunteers, were mobilized at St. Paul April 29, and were mustered into the United States service May 7 and 8.
The Fifteenth Regiment was mustered into service July 18. In total this state furnished 5,313 officers and enlisted men for
the volunteer army. At the close of the Spanish War the Twelfth and the Fourteenth Regiments returned to Minnesota and were
mustered out of service in November. The Fifteenth Regiment continued in service until March 27, 1899; and the Thirteenth
Regiment had more than a year of service in the Philippine Islands.
The Thirteenth formed part of the expedition sent to the Philippines, which sailed from the United States July 25 and 27
under Generals Wesley Merritt and Arthur McArthur, and reached the islands July 25 to 31. This force consisted of the
Thirteenth Minnesota, First Idaho, First Wyoming, Astor Battery, detachments from the Eighteenth and Twenty-third United
States Infantry, and of the Third United States Artillery, and some signal corps and engineers, a total of 4,650 enlisted
men and 197 officers. War with the natives broke out near Manila, early in 1899. An order had been issued by the American
authorities at Manila and endorsed by Aguinaldo, forbidding the passage of the American lines by any Filipinos after nightfall.
February 4, out of a bravado, one of the Filipino soldiers, accompanied by others, attempted to pass the guard line. Upon
being hailed by the sentry, Grayson, of the Nebraska regiment, paid no attention, but passed on, whereupon the sentinel, as
in duty bound, fired and killed the Filipinos outright. The comrades of the latter at once opened up fire. Within an hour
there was firing along the whole line from Tondo to Malate. This engagement, or series of conflicts, where 13,000 Americans
held some 20,000 Malays at bay, lasted for three days. During the whole of this time the Thirteenth Minnesota, assisted by
the Second Oregon and Twenty-third regulars, were employed in keeping down insurrections in Manila, which had been threatened.
War now ensured and the government sent reinforcements to the islands. Engagements were had at frequent intervals and the
Filipinos driven gradually back. General Charles King and his command forced the enemy back as far as Guadaloupe. A few days
later General Wheaton's command took the latter place and several others in what General Otis calls "a great victory."
March 19 a full reorganization of the army in the Philippines was effected; by this the Thirteenth M company, together with
the Third and Seventeenth Regular Infantry, the Utah Battery and a squadron of the Fourth Regular Cavalry, formed a brigade
under General Hall. After an arduous campaign in the Islands, the Thirteenth Minnesota was returned to its home and
mustered out, October 3, 1899.
Compendium of Biography of Central & Northern Minnesota (1904) Chicago, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., pp. 136-137 |
Chronological