Campaign of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry / April 25-November 11, 1898

1898, there was but one great topic of conversation among the people of the United States. Early in February, the U. S. Battleship

n that the blowing up of this vessel was an act of Spanish treachery. Both branches of Congress were debating measures regarding American intervention in the Cuban rebel

. Nothing was changed by the exciting rumors of the day, for the Troopers belonged to that conservative class of business men, which

ad been decided to give up every afternoon for one week previous to the annual inspection for man?uvres at Fort Side grounds and omit the Saturday drills in the Park. The W

h in the men and horses. The latter soon became accustomed to the noise of the firing during the skirmish drill, and one hour each day was spent in drilling in extended order and "as skirmishers." As each twenty-four hours passed the reports from the nation's capitol showed war to be closer at hand than upon the preceding day. On Wednesday despatches from Washington were printed in all papers saying that the National Guard would be called out within forty-eight hours and sent to camp at Mt. Gretna, Pa. Captain Groome quietly passed word along the line to make ready, and arrangements were completed with the Pennsylvan

While this fact overshadowed all others, the Troopers made a splendid showing that afternoon, and were h

de no requisition for cavalry, but Captain Groome received a personal telegram from Governor Hastings saying that the Troop would be wanted without question, and the usual printed notices were sent out, ordering the men to be at

read in the evening papers how Sampson's fleet was engaged in bombarding Matanzas, an

thus breaking diplomatic relations. At once the United States fleet, off the Cuban coast, began to capture Spanish vessels. Then, at the request of t

at of the United States Navy, and with possessing an army in Cuba and Porto Rico of 150,000 well

errified at the first view presented of the hardships of a soldier's life. It was freezing cold, yet a sort of rain was falling that at times became hail and at times came down as snow. Whatever

as strong as the light from the lamps still burning in the streets; deep slush covered the streets and sidewalks. Singly

p, Herman A. Denckla, George L. Farnum, J. Edward Farnum, William I. Forbes, Persifor Frazier, Jr., H. Percy Glendinning, Henry S. Godfrey, Samuel Goodman, Francis E. Green, Robert E. Griffith, Guston A. Heckscher, T. Wallis Huidekoper, Francis A. Janney, Charles K. Lennig, George McFadden, Percy C. Madeira, Richard W. Meirs, Frederick B. Neilson, Edward P. Rawle, Benjamin B. Reath, Samuel K. Reeves, J. Ridgway Reilly, James M. Rhodes, Jr., Thomas Ridgway, Henry D. Riley, Thomas Robb, Jr., Adolph G. Rosengarten, Mitchell G. Rosengarten, Jr., Edward K. Rowland, Reginald K. Shober, James Starr, J. C. Stevens, Edward C. Taylor,

de out into the icy rain, each man wearing the service uniform, heavy overcoat and poncho, and armed with saber, Springfield carbine (cal. 45)

e the arrival of the Troop, there was nothing for the men to do but load their horses on the cars. Inside of half an hour the last horse had been loaded, and the Troop was ready to start. For nearly an hour, however, they remained in the car

Troopers' case, an entire day; so that the shades of evening were added to the gloom which had prevailed all day when Camp Hastings was r

CAMP AT M

een prepared for them, nor could any be secured. By some mistake, on the part of others, their tents had not yet arrived from the State Arsenal. All buildings about

of Battery A to share their tents for the night. The battery had arrived the day before and was comfortably located. Of course the doubling up of quarters caused crowd