All of these men are not necessarily from Manitowoc county, but
this is where they enlisted. This information was kindly provided
by the Manitowoc County Veterans Service Office, from the Roster of
Wisconsin Troops in the Spanish American War.
*********
A BIT OF HISTORY:
According to word received here the Selia bill, which provides pensions for
disabled Spanish War Veterans from $12 to $30 per month, has passed the house
at Washington by a vote of 294 to 18. This is the first pension measure passed
providing relief for disabled veterans of the war with Spain except those
disabled in line of duty. There are many veterans in Manitowoc county eligible
to pension.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. March 8, 1920 P. 3
*********
RETURN OF COMPANY H FROM SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
Bands playing, flags flying, the entire city of Manitowoc in holiday attire,
with the streets along the line of march crowded with thousands of the home
folks-this was the scene, when Company H, of the old Wisconsin National Guard
returned from service in the Spanish-American war back in 1898. The date was
September 18, and the above picture was taken from the corner of South Eighth
and Jay streets, looking north.
The soldier boys came back in command of First Lieutenant Norman A. Knudson, who
was acting captain, having charge of the company when Captain William Abel was
taken seriously ill just as the company was about to embark on transport at
Charleston, S.C. When the boys arrived at the depot here on that bright September
afternoon they were met by bands and the parade moved to the Turner Hall, where a
big reception and dinner awaited them. Marching at the head of the soldier boys
was a familiar figure in Manitowoc in those days, Henry Ladwig, now deceased, a
tall youth who impersonated "Uncle San," because of his tall, erect stature.
The Company H that saw service in the Spanish-American war was organized in the
late eighties. In 1893 William Abel succeeded to the command of the company and
when war was declared against Spain in April, 1898, company H was summoned to
service with the rest of the units of the guard in Wiscons (sic) and mobilized at
Camp Harvey, Milwuakee. The company was recruited in to 84 men and on May 12, 1898,
they were mustered into the service of the United States for a term of two years.
Off For War
The company then proceeded to Camp Thomas at Chickamauga where they remained for
two months and on July 5 proceeded to Charleston, S.C. July 14 Captain Abel was
taken ill and when the unit sailed July 20 for Porto Rico Lieut. Knudson was in
command of the company with Lieut. August F. Stahl next in command. The sergeants
were Henry Kliner, Emil Stahl, James Chadek, Frank Rosinsky, Frank Mulvaney and
Charles Richards and the Corporals-Charles M. Krumm, Jos. Hruby, Theo. Mahnke,
Albert C. Stahl, Gustave Torrison, Charles Fiedl, John M. Taylor, K.E. Ellingboe,
Joe Nyhan, Benj. Krause, Fred Althen and Henry R. O'Donnell.
On July 27 the boys disembarded at Ponce, Porto Rico. They did duty there for
several weeks, and although within sound of firing, never were in actual combat.
In September the company, with other units, embarked for the United States and
landed at Jersey City on September 15. They were transported by rail and arrived
in Manitowoc three days later. Two months furlough was granted the members of the
command and on November 16, 1898 Company H was mustered out of the service of the
United States.
Reorganization
Steps were at once taken to reorganize the company in the Wisconsin National guard,
the company retained the title of Company H, Second Regiment Wisconsin National guard
and Norman A. Knudson, who had led the old company through the Porto Rican campign
became its first captain. He was succeeded by Charles M. Krumm and later by Richard
Buerstatte, and still later by Walter Abel, son of Captain Wm. Abl.
Four members of the war company died in the period that the company was in the
service of the government. They were Herbert Colville and Fred Engel, who died in
a Charleston hospital; Wm. Hayne, who died at sea, and Fred C. Schwalbe, who died
in a Chickamougua hospital.
To many old time citizens of Manitowoc, the picture shown above will recall memories
of 32 years ago, and the thrill of the day when "the boys" came back.
Manitowoc Herald News, Friday, January 31, 1930 P. 3
(NOTE: ALL THE RANKS HAVE BEEN SPLIT INTO THE A-L AND M-Z PAGES
COMPANY H, 2nd Regt. MANITOWOC
Captain - William Abel
First Lieutenant - Alfred N. Knudson
First Sergeant - Henry Kliner
Sergeant - James Chadek
Corporals:
Althen, Fred M.
Ellingboe, Knudt E.
Friedl, Charles G.
Hruby, Joseph
Krause, Benjamin
Krumm, Charles M.
Musician - Frederick W. Block
Privates:
Allen, Irvin
Allen, Theodore
Allen, William
Amann, George B.
Anderson, Nils J.
Ball, William C.
Beck, Edward
Berndt, Albert C.
Bonn, William E.
Bonnin, Frank D.
Buenger, Charles
Byram, Charles C.
Cegelski, Stephen/Wisconsin/Private Co. K 1/Reg. Wis. Inf./Spanish American War/
Sept. 2, 1880/March 27, 1961
Christensen, Andrew
Churney, Logic
Danielson, Ole
Discher, Herman F.
Dickey, Jay A. - 1876-1951 - buried in Evergreen
Douglas, John H. - 1882 - 1954 - buried in Evergreen
Dueno, George
End, Joseph W.
Fleischer, Henry C.
Fox, George - 1878-1964 - buried in Evergreen
Friedl, John
Frisch, Henry
Funck, Henry J.
Georgenson, Martin
Golembiewski, William
Grall, William C.
Grosstueck, Walter
Grunn, John
Guhin, Patrick H.
Hackett, Albert
Harris, William C.
Haseloff, Fred
Hayn, William (G.A.R. hand written card: Mustered in as William
Hayn, mustered out William Heyn, Co. H. 2nd rgt., born Manitowoc.)
Haynes, Wesley
Heingarten, Charles L.B.
Hempton, James A.
Herzog, Daniel W.
Jackett, Anton
Kadletz, Frank
Kawalle, Emil
Kennedy, Thomas J.
Klein, Henry A.
Klenke, William H.
Klotz, Charles
Knop, Gustav L.
Koeppe, Frank E.
Kohler, Carl J.
Ladenberger, Wileg
Levenhagen, Walter
Liebert, Fred J.
DEATHS:
Priv. Herbert C. Coville of Oconomowoc, aged 20 years, died at
Charleston, S.C., July 19, 1898, of typhoid fever. Buried at
Oconomowoc.
Priv. Fred Engel of Manitowoc, aged 23 years, died at Charleston,
S.C., Aug. 1, 1898, of typhoid fever. Buried at Manitowoc.
Priv. William Heyn of Manitowoc, aged 29 years, died on board
hospital ship Lampasas, July 28, 1898, of typhoid fever. Buried
at sea.