War on the Homefront:
Connecticut Goes to War, 1860-1945

The Spanish-American War, 1898-1899

Following the explosion of the U.S. battleship Maine in Havana harbor, Congress approved military intervention in Cuba. Although the United States was unprepared for war, nationalistic feeling ran high and volunteers hastened to enlist. Within a few months, victories over Spain in the Caribbean and the Philippines assured the United States a position as a global military power on the eve of the 20th century.

< On May 4, 1898, 100,000 citizens watched the 1st Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard parade through Hartford on its way to Niantic, the meeting place for Connecticut troops departing for the Spanish-American War. Because the regular army was small at the outbreak of the war, National Guard units provided many of the troops, serving both in the Caribbean and the Philippines.

Navy Vessels on the Thames River
New London vicinity, 1890s.
Photo CD Number IMG0076-4203.PCD

< New London served as an important base for shipping arms and men to Cuba and was perceived as a possible target for attack by the Spanish Navy. Venerable Fort Trumbull was occupied by an artillery unit and new forts were established on Fishers Island, Little Gull Island and Plum Island in order to protect the eastern end of Long Island Sound. New London also served as a supply base for these forts.

Welcome Home Parade
Norwich, ca. 1900
Photo CD: 0532
File: Img0087.pcd

< Most troops who served in the Spanish-American War were away from home for less than a year. New London County troops mustered in July 1898 and mustered out in March 1899. Their return was a cause for parades as Americans celebrated their new position as world power.

Link to other essays in this Journey:

>> Introduction: Connecticut Goes to War, 1860-1945
>> The Civil War, 1861-1865
>> World War I, 1917-1919
>> World War II, 1941-1945

>> Guideposts
>> Suggestions for further reading