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THE FIGHTING TWENTIETH |
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THE FIGHTING TWENTIETH |
Kansas was represented in the Spanish-American War of 1898-1899 by 4 regiments, including the 20th Kansas Infantry Regiment. In recognition of the upcoming Centennial Anniversary of this conflict, KSGenWeb proudly presents this small tribute to our ancestors who fought & died.
A short history from Correspondence Relating to the War With Spain (vol 1 p.593), Adjutant-General's Office:
Twentieth Regiment. -- Organized at Topeka, Kansas City, Leavenworth, Pittsburg, Leroy, Fort Scott, Independence, Lawrence, Osawatomie, Abilene, and Saline, Kans., April 27 to May 5, 1898, and mustered into the service of the United States at Topeka May 9 to 13, with 46 officers and 964 enlisted men. Left Topeka May 16; arrived at San Francisco May 20; assigned to Second Independent Brigade, Eighth Army Corps. Headquarters and Companies C, D, E, G, H, I, K, and M, sailed from San Francisco on transport Indiana October 27, arriving at Manila, P. I., November 30. Companies A, B, F, and L sailed on transport Newport November 8, arriving at Manila December 7. Regiment assigned to First Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Army Corps, December 9. Participated in engagements around Manila February 4, 5, and 6; uprising in Manila, February 23; engagement at Caloocan, February 10, and defense of Caloocan, February 11 to March 24; engagements at Tuliajan River, March 25; Polo, March 26; Marilao, March 27; Bocaue and Guiguinto, March 29; advance on Malolos, March 30 and 31; engagement at Bagbag River, April 25; Rio Grande, April 26 and 27; Santo Tomas, May 4; Bacolor, May 24; defense of San Fernando, May 6 to June 25, and engagements near San Fernando, May 25 and June 16; reconnaissance's to Santa Rita, May 25; to Bulacan, April 1, and Paranaque, August 2. The regiment was relieved from duty in the field and returned to Manila June 24. Sailed from Manila on transport Tarter September 3; arrived at San Francisco October 10. Mustered out of the service of the United States at San Francisco October 28, 1899, with 46 officers and 720 enlisted men. Casualties while in service: Officers -- killed in action, 3; wounded, 20. Enlisted men -- killed in action, 19; wounded, 120; died of wounds, 11; died of disease, 35; deserted, 4.
This short history has been graciously submitted to KSGenWeb for use on this web page by Walter Gentala, grandson of Pvt. John Jay Humbert, Co. A, 20th KS.
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These rosters were taken with permission from the book "Fighting Twentieth: An Account of the Kansas Volunteers in the Spanish American War. 1898-1899" by John A. Ostertag. He in turn took much of his information from a small booklet printed in the Fall of 1899 upon the return of the men who were called the Fighting Twentieth of Kansas. It is a documentation of Kansas youth who answered President McKinley's call for 120,000 volunteers to wage war against Spain. John's book also contains additional historical accounts, photographs and other information not included in this web page. The book is still in print and may be ordered from John by writing to him at 3005 Charles, St. Joseph, MO 64501-3342. Cost is $15.
The men arrived at Camp Leedy in Topeka, Kansas and after six rain sodden weeks, were entrained to San Francisco - only to cool their heels for much longer than any of them expected or desired. They were placed in undesirable quarters and no uniforms were issued for several weeks due to snarled red tape in the War Department. They were the first to arrive at San Francisco and about the last to leave for Manila instead of Cuba, as first believed.
These young men attracted world attention by their heroic bravery in a no holds barred conflict, winning acclaim for themselves and duly honored upon their return to San Francisco to be mustered out. This web page is meant, in part, to honor the Centennial Anniversary of this war and the many deaths that were a part of it.
Note: The original booklet contained many obvious mistakes and probably a lot of not so obvious ones. (sic) is used to indicate the obvious ones, but no attempts were made to change the appearance of the original Report. The report is also difficult to browse because the company rosters are not enumerated alphabetically. Therefore, I have added a page that lists all surnames alphabetically and the associated company. Hopefully, that will help you find your misspelled ancestor a little easier.
ROLL OF HONOR
In the organization of the Kansas volunteers two things were sought to be accomplished. First, to show that volunteers were superior to regulars as an actual fighting force in time of war. That while regulars, who largely consist of men who would rather fight a little than to work for a living, may be the best to police the country and put down small disturbances which may occur, yet the motives that induce them to enlist and the material of which they are composed make it impossible that they should be the equal of volunteers, who would not serve in the army in time of peace on any condition, and who serve in time of war from higher motives. Second, that Kansas could not only furnish volunteers better than any other state could furnish. - Kansas Governor Leedy
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There were three Medal of Honor Recipients from Kansas in the Spanish-American War. Click on their names to go to a full page about them and their citation.
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For further reading on the events of the Spanish-American war and the Fighting 20th's role in them, check out these books: