Springfield in the Spanish American War

SPRINGFIELD'S DEAD HEROES

HENRY C. BOWEN

Henry C. Bowen, major and surgeon of the Second regiment, died in the Second Division hospital, near Santiago, after making a gallant fight against sickness and death, not only for himself but for the regiment under his care. It is not too much to say that but for the heavy burden he was under with the care of over 800 sick and dying men on his hands, he might have recovered from the Cuban fever and been alive to-day, but as it was he succumbed. It was his misfortune to go to the front ignorant of the red tape which forms an even more effectual barrier to individual action than did the Spanish barbed wire to our troops, and it was this same red tape which was indirectly responsible for his death. When the regiment was in its worst condition in front of Santiago, when he was alone in the work of caring for the sick and dying, he found it next to impossible to obtain needed medical supplies for his men, and yet knew he was held responsible for their welfare. It is not to be wondered at under these circumstances that he grew nervous and irritable, and repelled rather than attracted those who tried to help him. The wonder of it was, that sick in body and mind as he was, he bore up as long as he did. But he did what he could and gave his health, and strength, and life in his duty.

Major Bowen was born in Castle Creek, N. Y., the son of Dr. Charles W. Bowen of Westfield, and he studied in the public schools there and at Wilbraham academy. He gained his medical education in the University of New York and served in Bellevue hospital for eighteen months and in the Broome street lying-in hospital. He began practice in Springfield in 1894 and was fast reaching a high place in his profession when the war broke out. At the time of his appointment he was a member of the surgical staff of the Mercy hospital where he was liked by patients and officials.

HARRY J. VESPER

Second Lieutenant Harry J. Vesper of B company, came of fighting stock, his father, O. R. Vesper, of Springfield, being a one armed veteran of the civil war. Harry was born in Springfield and was 31 years of age when he died on the Mobile. He studied in the public schools, leaving the high school to enter the employ of the Springfield Homestead. There he rose by steady industry and ability, to be head of the mailing department and business manager of the electrotyping department. For several years he had been deeply interested in the militia and had enlisted in B company, rising through the grades of corporal and sergeant to the second lieutenantcy, to which he was elected and commissioned May 11, 1896. For two years he had served as adjutant of the first battalion of the regiment, and was popular with everyone in the command.

RICHARD H. BEARSE

The news of the death of no member of the Second was received in Springfield with more regret than that of Sergeant "Dickie" Bearse of B company. A member of the company for several years, he was known and liked by all the officers and men of the Springfield companies, for to know "Dick" Bearse was to like him. With his pride in B company and the regiment, not to speak of his patriotism, it was only natural he should be anxious to go to the front with the Second, and he did so, although he had to twice overcome the examining surgeon's objections. In camp and on the march he was cheerful and helpful and at El Caney he was up with the best of them. But all the while the hardships and toils of the campaign were sapping his vitality, and when the deadly calentura came, he had no strength left to resist it, but simply laid down and died. In him B company and the Second lost one of their best. Sergeant Bearse was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Bearse and was 24 years of age. His body was brought home and interred in the family lot in Oak Grove cemetery, after such a funeral as has seldom been witnessed in Springfield, an outpouring of grief from hundreds of friends.

WILLIAM C. PIPER

Corporal William C. Piper of K, was born at Marysville, O., in 1874, and his father is a well known lawyer and probate judge of that state. Corporal Piper came to Springfield in 1895 as manager of the Stetson Shoe store and had charge of the establishment at the time he was mustered in to the United States service. He enlisted in K company in 1897.

FRANK P. JONES

Musician Frank P. Jones of K, and one of the best fellows in the Second, died in the hospital at Camp Wikoff, August 27, after passing through all the hardships of the campaign in Cuba without being seriously ill. He was a native of Ludlow, Mass., and was 21 years of age. He had served in K for three years and though opposed by his parents, could not be kept from enlisting as a volunteer when the call came for troops. Of a cheerful, happy disposition, he did much in the dark days of sickness and death in the camp before Santiago, to help his comrades, and his example helped many a sick man.

PAUL J. KINGSTON

Wagoner Paul J. Kingston, B company, was an efficient soldier and well liked member of the command. He was 24 years of age when he died on the Mobile and was the son of George Kingston, an expressman. He was serving the third year of his enlistment in B when the war came and at once volunteered to go to the front.

PAUL VESPER

Private Paul Vesper of B was younger than his brother, Lieut. Harry J. Vesper, but had many of the qualities which made the latter so well liked. He was serving his first enlistment in B company when the war came, and promptly expressed a desire to volunteer. He died in the camp before Santiago, August 10, 1898.

ROBERT G. KELLY

Robert G. Kelly was the third G company man to fall in the fighting in front of Santiago. At 10 o'clock on the night of July 2d, the crashing of rifle volleys and the screams of shells awoke the Second from the sleep of fatigue, and the officers and men rushed to the crest of the hill behind which they had bivouacked. The attack was to the right of the Second's position, but while waiting for orders the regiment had to stand the rain of scattering shot and Kelly was the first to be hit. The bullet struck him in the left cheek, going through and lodging in the muscles of the other side. He was taken to the division hospital and died there July 15. He was the son of Samuel Kelly of Springfield and enlisted just before the Second was ordered to South Framingham.

ARTHUR M. BURNHAM

Private Arthur M. Burnham of K was the son of George M. Burnham, a well known contractor and builder of Springfield. Arthur was born in 1876 and studied in the public schools. He was popular with his school fellows and with all who knew him. For three years previous to the breaking out of the war he had been associated with his father in business. He enlisted in K company soon after its transfer to Springfield and after serving three years, left the company, a short time before the war broke out. He was one of the first of the former members to reenlist when it was known that war was certain and bore himself manfully through the campaign. He was ill with typhoid when the regiment left Cuba and was obliged to be left behind.

FRED A. STETSON

Fred A. Stetson enlisted in G company at the outbreak of the war and served faithfully until he was attacked by the disease which laid him low, only a day or two after his comrades had left Cuba for home. He was employed in Springfield when he enlisted, but had only been in the city a short time, and had no near relatives living so far as known. He was 24 years old.

JOHN J. MALONE

John J. Malone, fatally wounded at El Caney, was a member of B company and had been for two years previous to the outbreak of the war. He was a bright, cheerful young fellow and was well liked by his acquaintances as well as by his comrades. His parents died during his childhood and John made his home with a relative. He was employed in the Homestead office. At El Caney, Malone was one of the first men hit, the fatal bullet striking him within a few moments after B company had taken its position with the 22d. He died in the field hospital.

FRANK E. MOODY

Frank E. Moody of K company, killed in action at El Caney, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Moody of Springfield and was 20 years old when he enlisted in K, only a few days before the regiment left for South Framingham. He was shot soon after B and K companies took position on the right flank of the 22d.

ARTHUR HOWARD PACKARD

Killed instantly at El Caney, July 1, 1898. He was the son of Mrs. Helen N. Packard, who, the wife of a soldier of the civil war, saw her two sons go to the front in the war with Spain, both being members of G company. Arthur would have been 19 years of age in November, 1898, and had been employed in the Homestead office. When only 17 he enlisted in G company and was well liked by his comrades. When the war came Arthur insisted on being one of the men to go with the company. Through the campaign he was soldierly and cheerful and his bright, if sometimes caustic sayings, did much to help his comrades. He was on the advanced firing line of the Second in the squad under Lieut. Leyden when the fatal bullet struck him and he died instantly.

GEORGE A. RICHMOND

George A. Richmond was one of the oldest members of G company and was born in Springfield. He enlisted in 1887, and remained a member of the company for several years. When it was seen that war was coming, Richmond was one of the first to apply to Capt. Leonard for a place in the ranks and joined the company at South Framingham. At El Caney Richmond was with Lieut. Leyden's squad, and was shot through the head early in the engagement. Willing hands bore him to the improvised field hospital where he lay in agony for several hours before death came. He was comforted and consoled by Chaplain Fitzgerald of the 22d, who took his last messages. Richmond's mother died in his early youth and he had made his home with relatives. He had been employed in the Springfield post office. He took a small camera with him to Cuba and made a number of pictures.

FRANCIS A. BURKE

Private Francis A. Burke of G company, who died at the House of Mercy hospital, October 8, 1898, was the son of Thomas Burke and resided at 196 Spring street. He was employed as a clerk in the store of Forbes & Wallace and was well liked by his associates. He was 22 years of age. As a youth he took much interest in military matters and was for some time a member of the Cathedral cadets. Later he enlisted in G company and had served some time when the war broke out. He promptly volunteered and served well in the campaign.

THOMAS C. BOONE

The circumstances surrounding the death of Sergeant Thomas C. Boone, who went to the front with K company, but was transferred to the U. S. Signal Corps, were particularly sad as at the time his many friends supposed he was practically recovered from the terrible experience he underwent while in the service. Boone died in the Mass. General Hospital, Boston, on March 19, 1899, after a comparatively brief illness. He was a native of Maryland, being born in Annapolis in 1876, and came to Springfield in 1894, enlisting in K company soon after his coming here. At South Framingham Boone was appointed a corporal by Capt. Warriner, but the number of these positions in the companies being reduced Boone was obliged to serve as a private. Soon after the arrival of the Second at Tampa he was transferred to the signal corps with the rank of sergeant. He was an expert telegrapher and was selected for that reason. On July 2d he with Col. Drew and Major Maxfield were in the war balloon at San Juan and while the balloon was at a height of 2700 feet and was being taken over a creek it was pierced by three pieces of shrapnel from the Spanish lines and fell. The basket caught in the top of a tree and Boone was caught in the anchor and hung suspended over the stream for a long time with the iron hook pressing into his side. Then he fell into the water. He was badly injured, but did not realize it at the time. A few days later he was sent to the hospital, but while being conveyed there in a mule team the vehicle was upset and he was again injured. On his return to the United States through an error on the part of some officer he was accused of desertion but after several months the stain was taken away and he received an honorable discharge. Boone was a popular member of the company and also popular among a large number of friends.

MICHAEL R. LYONS

Michael R. Lyons of K company, died in the Mercy hospital, Springfield, April 20th, 1899, just a year from the time he enlisted and after making a gallant fight against the effects of the hardships he underwent in Cuba. He was a well-liked member of the company and made an excellent soldier, doing his duty quietly and faithfully. All through the campaign, although ill at times, he was cheerful and uncomplaining and his example was not lost on his comrades. His body was taken to Palmer for burial. His parents and brothers reside in Springfield.

ANDREW LITTLE

Andrew Little was one of the "recruits" of G company, he having gone to the camp at South Framingham with the first batch of extra men assembled in Springfield after it was known that several vacancies had been caused in the company through rejections by the surgeons. He lived in Middlebury, Vermont, but had been employed in Springfield for some time. During the campaign he served as assistant company cook and stood the hardships and exposure fairly well until a short time before the regiment left Santiago for the United States.

GEORGE C. CRELEY

George C. Creley, 21, was one of the last men of K company to die, his death being due to consumption contracted in service in Cuba. His death occurred June 28, 1899, after a long illness. Creley left a father and a sister, the former living in Springfield. He was a recruit, enlisting in K as soon as there was an opportunity and his service was faithful.

JOHN L. MOREHOUSE

The last member of K company to pass away up to the time of issuing this volume, was Private John L. Morehouse who died Nov. 12, 1899, after an illness of several weeks. He was a cousin of Lieut. H. H. Parkhurst of K and was well liked by his comrades, being easily one of the most popular members of the company. He was 29 years of age and aside from cousins, had no near relatives.