Description: Seven stereoviews show the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers prior to their departure for Cuba during the Spanish American War. They measure 3.54 by 7.09 inches (9 by 18 cm). Stereoviews, also called stereographs, contain side-by-side images captured simultaneously from two slightly different perspectives. Looking at the card through a stereoscope, a viewer sees a single three-dimensional image. The first two images are of training exercises at Camp Alger. The third and fourth images show men of the unit at Camp Alger. Images five and six capture regimental commander Colonel Curtis V. Hard of Wooster and Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. H. Dick with other officers in New York. In the final image, men are seen boarding the St. Paul, which transported the regiment to Cuba. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard (O.N.G.) regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Prior to the Spanish American War, the regiment maintained peace during civil disturbances and labor strikes throughout the state. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, Virginia, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. The Spanish American War was the shortest war in United States history, lasting less than four months. It inspired tremendous patriotism, since it was the first war the U.S. fought as a unified nation after the Civil War. American sympathies for Cuban independence from Spain and a "yellow press" interpretation of the sinking of the battleship Maine led to the Spanish American War. (The term "yellow press" refers to a style of journalism that sensationalizes news events.) More than 15,000 Ohioans served in the militia and the volunteer army. Of those, few were involved in major action, although 230 died of disease. The Treaty of Paris, negotiated in part by Ohioan Whitelaw Reid, formally ended the war on December 10, 1898. Spain relinquished to the United States control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Cuba became independent in 1902. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1331_1664684_001
Subjects: Military Ohio; Spanish American War; Soldiers; Military officers; Boats; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio); Ashland County (Ohio); Holmes County (Ohio); Medina County (Ohio); Richland County (Ohio); Wayne County (Ohio); Canton (Ohio); Stark County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of Arthur K. Lawrence in Spanish American War uniform with a horse, posing with two other African American members of the Medical Corps in front of a tent. Lawrence served as a hospital steward in the 9th Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War. The battalion was not sent to Cuba to fight, but spent the duration of the war at several camps in the United States. After the war, Lawrence became a doctor and established a medical practice in Columbus, Ohio; his office was located in the Williams Building at 681 East Long Street. Arthur Kelton Lawrence (1877-1954) was the son of Thomas Lawrence and Martha Hartway Lawrence. Martha escaped from slavery and was taken in by the Kelton family in Columbus, who also employed Thomas. The two were married in 1864. The Spanish American War broke out in April 1898 and ended in July of the same year, during the presidency of Ohioan William McKinley. The United States and Spain battled over control of Cuba, urged on by newspapers such as the New York Journal and the New York World. The so-called "yellow press" presented events from a slanted perspective, favoring Cuban independence from Spain and arousing public sentiment in support of American intervention. As a result of the war, the United States gained control not only of Cuba, but also Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1277_781359_113
Subjects: African American Ohioans; Military Ohio; Spanish American War; African American soldiers; 9th Battalion Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of Arthur K. Lawrence in his Spanish American War uniform, ca. 1898. Lawrence served as a hospital steward in the 9th Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War. The battalion was not sent to Cuba to fight, but spent the duration of the war at several camps in the United States. After the war, Lawrence became a doctor and established a medical practice in Columbus, Ohio; his office was located in the Williams Building at 681 East Long Street. Arthur Kelton Lawrence (1877-1954) was the son of Thomas Lawrence and Martha Hartway Lawrence. Martha escaped from slavery and was taken in by the Kelton family in Columbus, who also employed Thomas. The two were married in 1864. The Spanish American War broke out in April 1898 and ended in July of the same year, during the presidency of Ohioan William McKinley. The United States and Spain battled over control of Cuba, urged on by newspapers such as the New York Journal and the New York World. The so-called "yellow press" presented events from a slanted perspective, favoring Cuban independence from Spain and arousing public sentiment in support of American intervention. As a result of the war, the United States gained control not only of Cuba, but also Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1277_781359_112
Subjects: African American Ohioans; Military Ohio; Spanish American War; African American soldiers; 9th Battalion Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Stereograph image of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers training at Camp Alger, Virginia, prior to their departure for Cuba during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The regiment assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03702
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: Camp Alger (Virginia)
 

Description: Stereograph image of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers training at Camp Alger, Virginia, prior to their departure for Cuba during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The regiment assembled in Akron, Ohi,o on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03703
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: Camp Alger (Virginia)
 

Description: The men of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers at Camp Alger, Virginia, prior to their departure for Cuba during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03704
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: Camp Alger (Virginia)
 

Description: Stereograph close-up of the men of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers at Camp Alger, Virginia, prior to their departure for Cuba during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03705
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: Camp Alger (Virginia)
 

Description: Colonel Hard and the staff officers of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment on the pier in New York preparing to sail for Santiago, Cuba, during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03706
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard.; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: New York (New York)
 

Description: Colonel Hard, Colonel Dick and the majors of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers on the pier in New York preparing to sail for Santiago, Cuba, during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03707
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard.; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: New York (New York)
 

Description: The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers in New York boarding the St. Paul prior to their departure for Santiago, Cuba, during the Spanish American War. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment organized in July 1876 and mustered into federal service in May 1898 at Camp Bushnell in Columbus. Men in the regiment were from northern Ohio, predominantly Ashland, Holmes, Medina, Richland, Wayne, and Stark counties. The 8th Ohio was nicknamed "McKinley's Own" or "The President's Own" because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. The 8th Ohio assembled in Akron, Ohio, on April 26th, 1898, just three days after the call for troops. On July 4th, 1898, following several months of training at Camp Bushnell and Camp Alger, the 8th Ohio received orders to move to New York, where they would set sail for Cuba. The regiment disembarked at Siboney, Cuba on July 11. Although the unit never participated in combat, it was plagued by disease. The soldiers that did not perish from illness left Cuba on August 17 aboard the S.S. Mohawk. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03708
Subjects: Ohio. National Guard.; Ohio History--Military Ohio; 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); Spanish American War
Places: New York (New York)
 

Description: Document of commemoration listing the principal events of the Spanish American War and the members of the 9th Battalion of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry of which Charles Young was the commanding officer. Charles Young was the first African American to reach the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army and, at the time of his death in 1922, was the highest-ranking African American officer in the Army. He is known for having been forced into retirement due to health concerns before the start of World War I and later riding from Wilberforce, Ohio, to Washington, D.C. to prove his physical fitness for duty. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_OVS_32
Subjects: Spanish American War; African American soldiers; African American men; Military officers; Young, Charles, 1864-1922.
 

Description: Two photographs show Charles Young, one of the first African American men to enjoy a successful military career. One photograph, which measures 3.2 by 4.1 inches (8.22 by 10.46 cm), shows Young in the uniform of a United States Military Academy cadet. In the second image, measuring 3.7 by 6.2 inches (9.4 by 15.75 cm), Young wears the uniform of an army officer. Young (1864-1922), a Kentucky native raised in Ohio, graduated from Ripley Colored High School in 1880. He won appointment to West Point in 1884 and in 1889 became the third African American graduate from the school. Young taught military science at Wilberforce University and later served in the Spanish American War as the major in command of the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.). He had an exceptional military career, highlighted by his appointments to serve as military attache to Haiti and Liberia. He commanded troops in the "Punitive Expedition" in Mexico, and during the "Filipino Insurrection." He was also superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks. At the outset of World War I, Young was the highest-ranking African American in the army. Rather than promote him, and place in a position of authority over white soldiers, the army involuntarily retired Young from active duty, ostensibly because of ill health. To prove his fitness for duty, he rode horseback from his home in Wilberforce, Ohio, to Washington, D.C. The army, nevertheless, did not promote him to colonel until after he retired from service. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om873_807073_001
Subjects: African American Ohioans; Military Ohio; Spanish American War; 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.); African American Soldiers
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio); West Point (New York)