Opposition to the War!
Spanish-American War.
Spanish battle
The war between the U.S. and Spain began in 1898 and, as in the Civil War, troops were raised through the states to supplement the regular Army. Minnesota sent four regiments: the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th infantry regiments Only the 13th Infantry saw service outside of the U.S.
These regiments also created muster rolls but these records were supplemented by detailed service record cards for every individual. Following World War I, the Minnesota War Records Commission published a comprehensive history of Minnesota’s role in the Spanish American War, Minnesota in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection.
War Cannon
U.S.S. Potomac
What did those opposed to the war do?
Opposition of the war.
What did they think?
Abandoned Ship
On February 15, 1898, a mysterious explosion destroyed the American battleship Maine in Havana Harbor and helped propel the United States into a war with Spain. My great grandfather, Lt. John J. Blandin was the officer of the watch when the Maine blew up. The Spanish were blamed and we went to war. In actuality the explosion was a malfunction. My great grandfather was the highest ranking officer to die as a result of that explosion and, as a result, has his name on the Maine memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. He died on July 9, 1898…about 5 months after the explosion. ...
Interestingly enough, the US NAVY convened a tribunal annually for 100 years to discuss the disaster. On the 100th anniversary my aunt sent them the letter my great grandfather sent to his wife right after the explosion. They had never seen it. It caused quite a stir.