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Guide to the Spanish-​American War Scrapbook,​ 3rd WI Infantry Regiment,​ 1897-​1898

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Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC339

Accession Number: 11-026

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 339

Creators: Lillian Dunnigan

Title: Spanish-American War Scrapbook, Third Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

Dates: 1897-1898

Quantity: 0.2 linear feet (1 half archives box)

Location of Collection: A9/2c

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings and photographs. The majority of newspaper articles detail the experience of the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Subjects include mustering in, lengthy articles about camp life, the journey to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as well as small engagements and battles. Other articles recount the main events of the war such as the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, Governor Schofield’s call to arms, and war taxes.

Biographical / Historical Note

The Spanish-American War, which spanned four months from April to August of 1898, was the result of expansionist and imperialist sentiments that were becoming popular in the United States at the end of the 19th century. The war was a reaction against reported Spanish colonial brutality in Cuba. Americans rallied behind the idea of liberating Central American colonies from the oppressive control of the Spanish. The war resulted in the United States gaining control of former Spanish colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Many of the articles presented in this scrapbook reflect the patriotic fervor of the time.

The Third Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was composed of twelve companies from northwestern Wisconsin and was under the command of Colonel Martin Moore of La Crosse. The regiment prepared for duty in the Caribbean at Camp Thomas on the Chickamauga battlefield in Tennessee and then later at Charleston, South Carolina. Along with the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, the 3rd Wisconsin were the first American troops to land at Ponce, Puerto Rico where they helped take Coamo. Throughout their service, the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment lost a total of thirty-five men—all but two of them perished due to disease. The regiment returned to Wisconsin in October 1898.
(From the Wisconsin Veterans Museum: https://wisvetsmuseum.com)

Content Description

This collection is a scrapbook that contains photographs and newspaper clippings that document the experience of the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment during the Spanish-American War. The articles range from updates and reports on the war itself to accounts of the daily camp life, practices, and engagements of the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to the University Archives prior to 2007.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: Spanish-American War Scrapbook, third Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, 1897-1898. UHC 339. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Arrangement: Flat arrangement.

OCLC #: 816503280

Subjects

Subject Terms:
United States. Army. Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1898)
Spanish-American War, 1898.
Scrapbooks.
Clippings.
Photographs.