The Spanish–American War (1898) in real time

How the United States Ended Up With Guam

The capture of Guam was short and bloodless.

BECKY LITTLEUPDATED:AUG 30, 2018

ORIGINAL:AUG 9, 2017

The tiny western Pacific island of Guam has been a U.S. territory for over a century, and is considered a strategically important link between the U.S. and Asia. Yet given its significance, the story of how an island 6,000 miles from California become an American territory is surprisingly short.

The only reason America annexed Guam and its Chamorro inhabitants all those years ago was because the U.S. was at war with Spain. When the Spanish-American War broke out in April of 1898, Guam was under Spanish control (as it had been since the 1600s). The U.S. was actually more interested in conquering the Spanish Philippines, but it figured it needed to take Guam to secure the larger territory. The Philippines and Guam are only 1,500 miles apart.

In June of that year, the U.S. sent the second USS Charleston (C-2) to capture the island. When the ship arrived, the Americans on board sent up warning signals to let the Spanish know they were there, says Dr. Diana L. Ahmad, a professor of history and political science at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

“They of course expected the Spanish to respond in some sort of war-like manner, defending their island and so forth,” she says. “But there was no response from them at all.”

The Americans were confused because they didn’t know what was going on. Why wasn’t anyone responding to the declaration that they were there to attack?

In a couple of hours, a boat of Spanish authorities sailed over to the Charleston to talk with the Americans. When they reached the ship, the Spanish apologized for not responding to what they’d perceived as a salute or greeting from the Americans—in other words, the Spanish thought the Americans’ signals had been a polite knock on the door.

“The Americans just looked at them and said, ‘No, we’re at war,’” Ahmad says.

Turns out, the Spanish stationed on the remote island hadn’t known they were two months into the Spanish-American War. Once the parties established that they were enemies, the Americans sent a letter to the Spanish governor of Guam giving him 30 minutes to surrender.

“A couple of the documents I’ve read said he took until the 29th minute to respond,” Ahmad says. However long he took, “the island of Guam surrendered and it became American. It was that simple.”

Afterwards, the Americans “stayed for about 24 to 36 hours” before sailing away again, she says. “They left no Americans in charge of the island and even took the flag [they’d raised] with them.” It was the first and last event in the Spanish-American War that ever took place in Guam, and it was completely bloodless.

When the U.S. won the war, it made Guam an official U.S. territory. Guamanians, as the U.S. government calls them, are now U.S. citizens by birth. However, unlike citizens in America’s 50 states, they cannot vote for president. And just like citizens of Washington D.C. and the other U.S. territories—Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa—Guam’s 162,000 people have no voting representatives in Congress.

Though political movements have sought to either incorporate Guam as a state or liberate it from the U.S., Ahmad doesn’t see that happening in the near future. But she thinks that if the U.S. is going to keep Guam as a nebulous non-state in order to benefit from its strategic location, it should play more of a role in improving the island’s strained infrastructure.

Most recently, Guam has asked the U.S. to help de-escalate the threat posed by North Korea. On August 9, 2017, the people of Guam woke up to read that Kim Jong-un was considering a nuclear attack on their island. Shortly thereafter, North Korea released a statement saying it “will complete a plan by mid-August for the ‘historic enveloping fire at Guam,’” according to the Associated Press.

“I’ve reached out to the White House this morning,” Eddie Baza Calvo, the governor of Guam, said in a video address that day. “An attack or threat on Guam is a threat or attack on the United States. They have said that America will be defended.”

When the American forces reached Cuba, General Shafter and Admiral Sampson went ashore at Asserradero to hold an interview with General Calixto Garcia regarding the plan of attack. Admiral Sampson proposed that as Morro Castle was the defense at the entrance of Santiago harbor, he thought it would be best to attack and take that stronghold first, then go right into the harbor and destroy Admiral Cervera's fleet. Admiral Sampson was of the opinion that this would be the easiest way of capturing the city, but fortunately these were not accepted and General Calixto Garcia suggested that the landing of the American forces be at Daiquiri. The suggestion of General Calixto Garcia was closely adhered to and on June 21st, 1898, five hundred Cuban soldiers commanded by General Demetrio Castillo were transported from Asserradero to a village called Cujabo nearly two miles from Daiquiri, their instructions were to keep firing on the Spanish troops thereabout during the landing of the American forces, and according to arrangements made between Admiral Sampson and General Shafter the fleet also bombarded all the Spanish positions along the coast, namely, Daiquiri, Siboney, Aguadores, Morro and Cabanas.

(It must be remarked that Garcia did more to effect the American landings' success than either Sampson or Shafter. M.)

During the landing five hundred more Cuban soldiers under General Jesus Rabi, also assisted in keeping the Spaniards busy. As soon as all the American forces landed, the rest of General Garcia's insurgents continued to Daiquiri and the Americans started their march by Daiquiri and Siboney road. The landing was carried out in the following manner. General Lawton with the first and second division, and the Battery of Gattlings. General Bates, Brigade as a reserve of the Second Division. General Wheeler with his dismounted Cavalry Division. General Kent with the First Division of Infantry. Our mounted troop of the Second Cavalry. The Artillery was held back for some time waiting to see if the Spaniards were going to offer any resistance. The Americans came on shore with campaign rations for three days and one hundred rounds of ammunition each. The rest of the ammunition and equipment remained on the transports along with the forces not mentioned here. The Ordnance officers landed an extra supply of Ammunition which gave the men a reserve of one hundred rounds each. Admiral Sampson placed fifty motor boats from his fleet at the disposal of General Shafter, these were under the immediate supervision of a Naval Officer. The landing places were defended thus: Daiquiri, the Detroit, Castino, Wasp and New Orleans. Siboney by the Comet, Helena and Bancroft. Aguadores by the Eagle and Gloucester. Cabanos by the Scorpion, Vixen and Texas. This little blockade was at the same time guarded by the powerful Oregon, Indiana, Massachusetts, Iowa, Brooklyn and New York. The lighterage was performed by the Swan, Osceola and Wamnatuck.

As soon as the landing of the troops commenced, the fleet started its bombardment of the positions already referred to, which were occupied by a Spanish column commanded by Brigadier General Antero Rubin, Sub-Military, Governor of Santiago de Cuba. Three Spanish forces consisted of the following outfits: One Battalion of Talovera No. 4. One Battalion of Porto Rico Provisional No. 1. One Battalion of San Fernando No. 11. Two Companies of Volunteers. One Battery of Artillery. Owing to the great amount of shot and shell, the Spaniards were compelled to retreat and the five hundred Cuban soldiers under General Demetrio Castillo took possession of the town. It was about 9:45 a.m. when the first boat reached the shore with American troops, and immediately the United States battleships opened fire which lasted for quite a while. After the first half hour, the landing of the American troops continued uninterrupted and the spectacle presented to the casual observer by the assembly of so great a number of men in such a small space was wonderful. In the manner described the United States landed fifteen thousand men who were as full of spirit as if they were going to a ball game.

The Philippine Revolution
The Revolutionary Government of 1898

The Dictatorial Government lasted for only a month, from May 24 to June 23, 1898. At the instance of Mabini, Aguinaldo delivered on June 23 a message, penned by Mabini, giving his reasons for changing the form of government to a revolutionary one. On the same day, Aguinaldo issued a decree setting up the Revolutionary Government. It change the title of the chief of state from Dictator to President and defined the object of the government as the "the struggle for the independence of the Philippines until all nations, including the Spanish, shall expressly recognize it, and to prepare the country so that the true republic may be established."

To help the President in his duties, four departments were created, namely:

the Department of Foreign Affairs, Navy and Commerce
the Department of War and Public Works
the Department of Police and Public Order, Justice, Education and Hygiene
the Department of Finance, Agriculture and Manufacturing Industry
The department secretaries were not responsible for the decrees of the President, but they were to sign them "with the President to give them authority." The President appointed the department secretaries and personnel of each department.

The decree also provided for the creation of Congress. As has been seen, the decree of June 18 provided for the election of delegates from each province to represent it in Congress. The decree of June 23 provided that in those provinces which had not yet been pacified, that is to say, provinces which had not yet been taken from the Spaniards, the delegates for said provinces were to be appointed by the President. The powers of Congress were defined as follows:

 The denseness of the jungle and the fact that they used absolutely smokeless powder, made it exceedingly difficult to place exactly where they were, and almost immediately Young, who always liked to get as close as possible to his enemy, began to push his troops forward. They were deployed on both sides of the road in such thick jungle that it was only here and there that they could possibly see ahead, and some confusion, of course, ensued, the support gradually getting mixed with the advance. Captain Beck took A Troop of the Tenth in on the left, next to Captain Galbraith's (K) troop of the First; two other troops of the Tenth were on the extreme right. Through the jungle ran wire fences here and there, and as the troops got to the ridge they encountered precipitous heights. They were led most gallantly, as American regular officers always lead their men; and the men followed their leaders with the splendid courage always shown by the American regular soldier. There was not a single straggler among them, and in not one instance was an attempt made by any trooper to fall out in order to assist the wounded or carry back the dead, while so cool were they and so perfect their fire discipline, that in the entire engagement the expenditure of ammunition was not over ten rounds per man. Major Bell, who commanded the squadron, had his leg broken by a shot as he was leading his men. Captain Wainwright succeeded to the command of the squadron. Captain Knox was shot in the abdomen. He continued for some time giving orders to his troops, and refused to allow a man in the firing-line to assist him to the rear. His First Lieutenant, Byram, was himself shot, but continued to lead his men until the wound and the heat overcame him and he fell in a faint. The advance was pushed forward under General Young's eye with the utmost energy, until the enemy's voices could be heard in the entrenchments. The Spaniards kept up a very heavy firing, but the regulars would not be denied, and as they climbed the ridges (on the right side of the Camino Real road going into the village of Las Guasimas from the southeast) the Spaniards broke and fled.

"It is a good thing we are not at war with England or Germany or France, for we should not last a week."

A force was sent by Commander McCalla this morning to determine whether the enemy still occupied the extremities of Punta del Jicacal, Quantanamo Bay.

The force under Colonel Huntington, U.S.M.C.,8 consisted of two companies of Marines and two-thirds of the force of Cubans under Colonel Thomas, in all about 240 men.

The landing flotilla consisted of boats from the various ships towed by the steam launches of Helena, Annapolis and Bancroft, which left their ships at 2 a. m. for the Marine Camp, under the command of Commander Eaton. The Eagle took station for the night off Jicacal Point and at 4 a. m. the Marblehead and Helena moved into position close to beach to South and Westward of the high lands of Jicacal Point to cover the landing. The boats advanced in three columns and the troops were landed quietly and quickly, and a thorough reconnoisance was made of the point. The enemy was not seen. The men re-embarked about eight.

A picket line of Spaniards was seen from the ships, one or two men at a time across the dry lagoon a couple of miles to N. and W’d.

The Marblehead then proceeded to the channel between Jicacal and Cayo del Hospital to drag for mines; four mines were found and successfully raised. This makes thirteen mines in all raised in the channel.

It was omitted to mention that on Thursday, 23rd, the Assistant Chief of Staff was sent in the Vixen with a flag of truce to the mouth of the harbor to make inquiry as to whether Mr. Hobson and his men were still confined in the Morro, and if so to make protest. Captain Concas <of the Spanish Navy representing the Spanish authorities met our flag. He stated that our men had been removed to town and were all well.

The following appears in the Kingston, Jamaica, “Gleaner” of June 24.

Havana, June 14.─Flying a flag of truce, an American gunboat was sighted this afternoon, and the Spanish gunboat Flecha was sent out with Lieutenant-Colonel Sebastian Ramos and Lieutenant Jose Rolden on board.

When the Flecha returned two hours later she had on board Captain Ludlow14 of the American monitor Terror, who had been delegated by Rear-Admiral Sampson to negotiate for the exchange of Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson and his six companions belonging to the Merrimac, and who are now held in the Morro at Santiago de Cuba.

Captain-General Blanco was informed by Lieutenant-Colonel Ramos of the nature of Captain Ludlow’s mission, but he sent back word to the American that he had no instructions from his government regarding the case, and could not treat with him.

Captain Ludlow returned on the Flecha to the American gunboat, which immediately left the port

Madrid, June 22.─News of serious fighting near Santiago de Cuba has been received here. Admiral Cervera cables that the situation is critical and the Governor of Santiago admits that the Spaniards have been obliged to retire, but a Spanish victory is claimed.

Palermo, June 24.─A dispatch from the Island of Panteleria announces that Admiral Camara’s squadron passed there to-day going in the direction of Suez.

Newport News, Va., June 23.─Auxiliary cruiser Yale with troops for Santiago sailed from Old Point Comfort at 6 o’clock this evening.

MADRID, June 23.─The cable dispatches received here from Admiral Cervera say that the crews of the Spanish warships at Santiago have joined the land forces in order to take part in defense of the city. He adds that the situation is critical, but a later dispatch arrived affirming that the Spaniards have victoriously repulsed the enemy. A dispatch from the Governor of Santiago de Cuba says the attack on Siboney and Daiquiri continued until nightfall. The enemy was repulsed except on the left at Daiquiri, where the Spaniards were obliged to retire in consequence of the flanking movement on the part of the enemy, who landed 9 kilometers east of Daiquiri. The Spanish forces retired in good order into the mountains of Siboney and Benan, which places were destroyed by American shells.

General J.J. Coppinger

John Joseph Coppinger of Ballyvolane and Barryscourt.

Brigadier General in the United States Army.

Edited by using information from various sources

for circulation to members of the family.

Ian Copinger Durham.

March 2013

Introduction.

John Joseph Coppinger is a member of the family of Coppingers of Ballyvolane and Baryscourt, Co Cork. Genealogically he is my 8th Cousin 4 times removed.

Ian S. Copinger

(16.) COL. JOHN J. COPPINGER.

This gallant soldier first entered the Warwickshire Militia, being gazetted Ensign 1857, and Lieutenant in 1858. He left Ireland early in life, volunteering with a number of young Irish gentry for the service of the Pope, when he became involved in hostilities with the Italian Liberals. He served creditably as a Captain in the Papal Army, and received the rank of Chevalier for his gallantry at the defence of La Rocca gateway in September, 1860. After the triumph of Garibaldi young Coppinger, with many of his Irish comrades, returned to their homes in Ireland, and when the war for the suppression of the Rebellion in the States broke out in 1861 five of them received, through the intercession of Archbishop Hughes, commissions in the Union army. Four of the five received staff positions which ended with the war, while Coppinger was made a Captain in the 14th Infantry, which permanently connected him with the army. Captain Coppinger served gallantly through the war, and was severely wounded at the second Battle of Bull Run. He was again wounded in the Battle of Appomattox, where General Lee surrendered 9th April, 1865. He was also engaged at Chancellorsville, Gethysburg, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Hanover Crossing, Cold Habor, Newton, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, and a score or more of minor engagements. He received two brevets for his "gallant and meritorious services," and in January, 1865, he was placed in command of the fifth New York Cavalry as its Colonel, a position which he held until the regiment was mustered out of service at the close of the war. He was soon afterwards ordered to the frontier, where in 1868 he was brevetted colonel for "the zeal and energy which he displayed in command of troops operating against hostile Indians." Meanwhile he has been promoted to be Major of the l0th Infantry, and for several years past he has served as acting Inspector-General of the Department of the Missouri on the staff of General Pope, a position only given to those thoroughly versed in the manual, the drill, the equipment, and the discipline of the army.

Colonel Coppinger was married on the 6th February, 1883, in Washington, to Alice Stanwood, eldest daughter of the Honble, James G, Elaine, ex-Senator and Secretary of State. The marriage was attended by President Arthur, who adjourned the regular meeting of the Cabinet that he and his constitutional advisers might attend; and also by the Speaker of the House and the whole Diplomatic Corps. General Sherman, with a large number of military officers, and Admiral Worden, with a considerable number of naval officers, were present at this ceremony.

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(Ed note. This entry in W.A.C’s History is actually, but mistakenly, headed John S. Coppinger although in the accompanying pedigree he is correctly named as John Joseph Coppinger.

GENERAL JOHN JOSEPH COPPINGER

COMMANDANT FORT GIBSON

By Carolyn Thomas Foreman.

John Joseph Coppinger, born at Cove of Cork, County Cork, Ireland, November 10, 1834, was appointed a captain in the Fourteenth Infantry, United States Army, from the state of New York, September 30, 1861. He had some knowledge of French and Spanish; no business training; he had given attention to tactics, field fortifications, and general reading of history.1

As a young man Coppinger was a lieutenant and captain in the Army of the Pope in the Papal War against Victor Emmanuel. He was made a chevalier of that corps for gallantry in action at La Raca in 1860. At the outbreak of the Civil War he came to the United States and volunteered for service. Archbishop John Hughes had been induced by President Lincoln to visit Europe in behalf of the Union and he evidently met Coppinger while abroad, as he secured a commision for the young man when he came to this country.

When Louis Phillippe, Comte de Paris and the Duke of Orleans made a tour of the battlefields in Pennsylvania and Virginia they were accompanied by Captain Coppinger. The Comte de Paris served on the staff of General George B. McClellan in a Virginia campaign in the spring of 1862; after his return to Paris in July of that year he wrote a History of the Civil War in America which was translated into English and published in the United States.2

Captain Coppinger was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run on August 2, 1862, and was brevetted major June 12, 1864, for gallant and meritorious service in the Battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia; on October 19, the same year, he was brevetted lieutenant colonel for gallantry at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. Generals George A. Custer, A. T. A. Torbett and Philip H. Sheridan recommended Coppinger for brigadier general in 1864.3

Coppinger became a full colonel January 27, 1865, and was assigned to the Fifteenth New York Cavalry; he was mustered out of the volunteer service June 17, 1865, and the next year was transferred from the Fourteenth to the Twenty-third Infantry. While in this regiment he saw much service among the western Indians and received his commission as captain June 13, 1867, at Camp Three Forks, Ocoyhu, Idaho Territory. He was in the west from March, 1866, to November, 1868, and from April, 1869, to May 17, 1871.

During this period there was great dissatisfaction among the Idaho Indians owing to the delay of the government in dealing with them, and in carrying out stipulations in treaties made years previously.4 In 1868 the Indian war in that territory was about ended and an army officer in command reported: "Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the officers and soldiers participating in this frontier war." Governor D. W. Ballard wrote: "All honor and praise to officers and men of ... the 23d infantry, who have participated in the Indian wars of Idaho." 5 On December 1, 1868, Coppinger was awarded a brevet "for energy and zeal while in command of troops operating against hostile Indians in 1866, 1867 and 1868." At the age of thirty-four Coppinger was appointed colonel by brevet on May 17, 1869.6

Colonel Coppinger was in Monkstown, County Cork, Ireland, in the autumn of 1871, from where he asked additional leave because of the death of his "nearest relation," and the necessity to attend to some business. His company was still at Fort Boise, Idaho Territory, and Major General J. MC Schofield wired that he had no objection to the extension of leave. Coppinger had also been on duty at Cairo, Egypt, during his stay abroad.7.

The year 1872 was a most unhappy one for Colonel Coppinger, owing to accusations against him printed in the San Francisco Chronicle of July 21. He asked for a court of inquiry from his station at Angel Island, California, to investigate the charges. He was accused of a flirtation with the wife of a newspaper man who represented a New York paper. Coppinger was described as a "dashing looking officer—bold and brilliant." The newspaper man attempted to have Coppinger dismissed from the army. The court of inquiry assembled in San Francisco on August 5, 1872, and Cop-pinger was temporarily relieved from the command of his company. He denied through the press the truth of the accusations, stating that the woman was innocent and deserving of the highest respect.

From Port Reno, Indian Territory, May 5, 1877, Captain Coppinger wrote to the War Department asking to be sent abroad as an observer of military operations in Russia and Turkey, but Adjutant General Edward Davis Townsend did not approve. On March 20, 1879, Coppinger became a major in the Tenth Infantry, and he was Acting Assistant Inspector General at Fort Leavenworth, headquarters of the Department of Missouri. Coppinger was one of the army officers sent to Captain David L. Payne's camp of "Boomers" to order the leader not to cross the line from Kansas into the Indian Territory, warning Payne that his troops had orders to shoot.7a He was promoted to lieutenant colonel October 31, 1883, and assigned to the Eighteenth Infantry. From October 2, 1886, to July 17, 1888, Coppinger was in command at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.

Colonel J. J. Coppinger, when commandant of Fort Gibson, furnished the War Department, in 1888, with a detailed description of the buildings then in use at the fort The commanding officer's quarters was a two and one-half story stone house of thirteen rooms; size 36 by 40 feet Two frame houses stood on either side of above, each 36 by 60 feet, one and one-half stories high; one had twelve and the other thirteen rooms. These houses served as a double set of quarters for officers.

Barracks 23 by 154 feet, two stories high, contained ten rooms, barracks for two companies. Begun in 1845, it was completed during the Civil War.

Guard House on opposite side of parade ground from officers' quarters was one story frame of four rooms, 35 by 34 feet A frame building of nine rooms, 35 by 34, served as a single set of officers quarters.

The hospital was two-story frame, fourteen rooms, 37 by 37 feet, with a wing 25 by 47, and a kitchen 14 by 16 feet. Quartermaster store house of stone, 38 by 100, one story, four large rooms. Subsistence store house, also of stone, 34 by 80 feet, one story, four rooms.

Post bakery, frame, 19 by 57, one story, two rooms. Great oven. Blacksmith and carpenter shops in one story building of two rooms, 30 to 60 feet. Magazine was a stone building, 16 by 20, one story, one room.

One story building 20 by 90 feet, five large rooms, offices for commanding officer and quarters for unmarried officers. Large frame building, 24 by 80 feet, hay barn. Frame, 30 by 52, one story, 8 rooms, quarters of commissary & quartermaster sergeant. One large building of stone and frame was 13 by 206, quartermaster stables. Ice house, frame, 25 by 80 feet. A number of great cisterns.

Colonel Coppinger of General Pope's staff was married to Alice Stanwood Blaine, eldest daughter of Hon. and Mrs. James G. Blaine, at noon on February 6, 1883, in the new mansion of the family at 1500 20th Street, Washington, D. C. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Chappelle of St. Matthew's Church in the presence of a large group of friends of Mr. and Mrs. Blaine and army friends of the groom. A cabinet meeting was postponed so that President Chester A. Arthur and his cabinet might attend. Among the guests were General and Mrs. Sherman, Hon. J. Warren Keifer, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Maine delegation in both houses of Congress with their wives, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, the Chief Justice and other members of the Supreme Court, many foreign ambasadors.

The bride wore a white satin gown, en traine, a long tulle veil, and she carried a bouquet of roses and lilies of the valley. She was attended by her young sister, Hattie Blaine. The President and Hon. George Bancroft were admitted inside the white ribbon line reserved for the family. President Arthur escorted the bride to the dining room, where a sumptuous wedding breakfast was served. After a wedding trip north the bride and groom repaired to his station at Fort Leavenworth. 8

During the time the Coppingers were stationed at Fort Gibson they were visited by Blaine, who suffered a severe illness at the post.Passengers going to Fort Gibson were obliged to leave the train at Gibson Station and finish the journey, by a horse drawn vehicle. In the spring of 1887 or 1888 Mr. Blaine and his family travelled from St Louis in the private car of Mr. Richard C. Kerens; the car was switched to a side track at Gibson Station, where it remained during the sojourn of the distinguished visitors st the garrison. The party reached Gibson Station early in the evening and all of them, except Mr. Blaine who was not feeling well, were conveyed by army ambulance to the fort. They returned for him next morning, but not before Mr. George Shannon and his family had called upon him at the car.

Mr. Blaine was seriously ill, threatened with pneumonia, and a telegram was sent to Mr. Kerens in St. Louis asking him to send a doctor at once to the fort. Mr. Kerens arranged to take Dr. H. H. Mudd; after they started Coppinger wired that "Mr. Blaine is doing very well. Only slight fever. Pulse good, 80 per minute."9 A telegram to the Associated Press dated Fort Gibson, April 8, 1887, reported: Mr. Blaine is suffering from bronchial catarrh with fever of a remitting type . . . Charles P. Berne, Post Surgeon." There was no telegraph line from the post to the railway station, so the message was probably sent by a soldier on horseback. On April 10 the doctors reported their patient much better; he had a slight bronchial pneumonia but his fever was subsiding. Two days later Blaine was still improving, but the doctors insisted that he remain in doors at least a week longer. That day he was allowed to converse with his family for a short time; he was quite hoarse and not out of danger. His illness was caused by exposure on the trip west, as he had been called out on the platform at every station and took a severe cold. Blaine was up and dressed on the fifteenth and on April 19 he and his party arrived in St. Louis on the way to Chicago. He was said to be still ill and planned to re-main three days with his son in Chicago.10

"Upon his return to Gibson Station, prior to leaving for the east, all of the party, consisting of Col. and Mrs. Coppinger, their two sons, Blaine and Connor, Mrs. Blaine, Miss Hattie Blaine, Mrs. Mary E. Dodge, a writer using the nom-de-plume of Gail Hamilton, and Mr. Kerens, called at the Shannon home."11

The Indian Journal of Eufaula, Indian Territory, stated, July 7, 1887: "Col. Coppinger has a new sail boat, which he has named 'Jackdaw' (his baby boy's pet name). We have convenient opportunities for boat riding living on the bank of Grand river."

Mrs. Coppinger was called to Washington in January, 1890, to attend the funeral of her brother, Walker Blaine; on January 29 she was taken seriously ill of congestion of the brain in her father's home, the old Seward mansion on Madison Place, and died on February third.11

Colonel Coppinger arrived in Washington from Columbus, Ohio, the day before his wife's death. At ten a.m. on Wednesday, Feb-ruary 4, 1890, a brief service was held at the home of her parents after which her body was taken to St Matthew's Church where Father Thomas Sherman, son of General Sherman, celebrated requiem man; Cardinal Gibbons read the burial service and blessed the body; the choir chanted the Miserere. Mrs. Elaine was escorted by Colonel Coppinger; Secretary Blaine had a daughter on his arm and they were followed by James G. Blaine, Jr., with his other sister; Emmons Blaine with his wife; President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Vice President and Mrs. Levi P. Morton and members of the cabinet.13

The remains were buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Coppinger was born March 13, 1861 and lived in Augusta, Maine, until her marriage. During her married life she had lived at Port Leavenworth, Port Assiniboine, and Fort Gibson. At the time of her passing the Coppinger home was on Governor's Island, New York. She left two sons, Blaine, six years old and Connor who was four.

On October 23, 1890, Colonel Coppinger was detailed to Paris, France, to obtain information and he remained there until April 25, 1891. He became a full colonel January 15, 1891 and commanded the Twenty-third Infantry.

The Bannock Indians became aroused when some lawless white men killed two or three of their tribesmen who were on a hunting expedition to the Jackson's Hole country, Wyoming. Governor Richards of Wyoming and the Indian agent at Fort Hall, Idaho, asked for troops because of the warlike attitude of the Indians towards the white settlers. A squadron of the Ninth Cavalry and a battalion of the Eighth Infantry under Major Adna R. Chaffee were ordered from Fort Robinson in July, 1895, to Market Lake, Idaho, where they took up the march to the scene of expected trouble. General Coppinger took part in this expedition, going from Omaha with Indian Inspector Province McCormiek. The troops arrived at Jackson's Hole July 31, and engaged in returning the Bannocks to the Fort Hall Reservation, after which the excitement soon subsided. Jackson's Hole was the old hunting ground of the Bannocks but there "the last of America's big-game shooting was being reserved for those Americans who were wealthy enough to penetrate that country with the necessary transportation and equipment." 14

General Coppinger, the United States district attorney of Wyoming and several army officers and McCormick met the governor of Wyoming to discuss the matter of the Bannocks hunting in the Jackson's Hole country and the Inspector reported: "I think I can safely say that I have discovered no disposition on the part of a single Indian to undertake for himself any revenge. . . There seems to be none of the soreness or sullenness that one would ordinarily expect to see after the perpetration of such a dastardly, cowardly, preconcerted, outrageous crime as was inflicted upon these defenseless persons by the so-called law officers of Wyoming." 15 During 1893, 1894, and 1896 a number of high officials recommended Coppinger for brigadier general; letters are on file in the War Department from General H. G. Wright and R. C. Kerens of Missouri, Governor J. S. Hogg of Texas, Governor C. A. Culberson of Texas, Senator S. B. Elkins of West Virginia and Hon. Robert R. Hitt of Illinois, and many others. William Russell Grace, ex-mayor of New York, stated that Coppinger had fought in thirty of the hottest battles in the Civil War.

The promotion of Coppinger to brigadier general April 25, 1895, vice General Wesley Merritt, caused unpleasant criticism as he was said to have been jumped over the heads of twenty-eight colonels.16

From Fort Clark, Texas, April 29, 1895, Coppinger acknowledged receipt of his commission as brigadier general. May 14, 1897, General Coppinger wrote the War Department from Omaha, Nebraska, that he would retire if given the same promotion as Generals Wheaton and Forsyth, parallel cases.17

He was hoping for active duty in case of hostilities in the spring of 1898, and wrote the War Department to that effect in spite of his near retirement for age. Early in May he was appointed a major general of volunteers in command of the Fourth Army Corps at Camp Wheeler, Huntsville, Alabama. This corps was organized at Mobile and in June had a strength of 20,816."

General Coppinger was retired October 11, 1898, by operation of law of June 30, 1882. He died at his home, 820 18th Street, N.W., Washington, D. C., November 4, 1909; of double pneumonia. Funeral services were held at St. Matthews Church and interment was in Arlington National Cemetery where he had selected his lot near the graves of old comrades. Pall hearers were Brigadier General Theodore Swan, General Robert M. O’Reilly, Admiral F. M. Ramsay, Brigadier General C. B. Edwards, Colonel Robert T. Emmet, Major David S. Stanley, Major Frank Mclntyre, Chief Justice Harry M. Clabaugh, Hon. John D. Crimmins of New York, Captain Dud-ley Winthrop and Captain A. W. Perry. The Engineer Band played the funeral march. There was also a trumpeter.19

References.

1 Adjutant General's Office, "Old Files," Maj. Gen. John Joseph Coppinger. According to the first edition of Who’s Who in America, 1899-1900, General Coppinger -born October 11, 1834.
2The Evening Star. Washington, D. C, Norember 5, 1909; Lippincotts Biographcal Dictionary. Philadelphia, 1888.
3 AGO. "Old Files."
4 Report commissioner Indian affairs, 1876, pp. 248-49.
5 Ibit. 1868, p.199.
6 Heitman, vol 1, p. 327.
7 AGO “Oldfiles”
7a Rister, Carl Coke, Land Hunger (Norman. 1942). pp. 82, 86.
8 The Evening Star, Washington, D. C, Tuesday. February 6th, 1883, p. 3, col 5; George Frederick Howe, Chester A. Arthur, New York, 1934, p. 242.
9 Nat York Tribune. Saturday. April 9, 1887, p. 1. col. 5.
10 Ibid, April 10, 1887, p. 1, col. 5; April 13, 1887. p. 1, col. 3; April 15, 1887, p. 1, col. 6; April 20, 1887, p. 5, col. 5.
11 Chronicles of Oklahoma, "George Shannon," by Daisy Shannon, vol. X no. 4, p. 551; ibid, vol. X, no. 1, p. 32, "Events Among the Muskogees during Sixty Years" by C W. Turner.
12 Charles Edward Rossel, Blaine of Maine, New York, 1831, p. 426.
13 New York Tribune, Monday, February 3, 1890, p. 7, col. 4; Wednesday, February 5, 1890. p. 5, col. 4
14 William Addleman Ganoe, The History of the United States Army, New York, 1924, pp. 368-69: William Harding Carter, The Life of Lieutenant Harding Carter, The life of Lieutenant General Chaffee, Chicago, 1917, p. 119.
15 Report Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1896, pp. 57-9.
16 AGO, "Old File.," Albert M. Hamer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 27. 1895, to Daniel S. Lamont, Secretary of War. "Amy officers are kicking becaue Coppinger, a junior colonel, has been appointed to a brigadiership in the Army • • • and it was through Mrs. Blaine's influence that he was appointee! ... An attempt to procure his promotion at the hands of President Harriaon met a failure which led to a spirited quarrel between Harrison and Mrs Baine" (Fort Smith (Arkansas) Elevator, Ma 3, 1895, page2 col 6).
17 AGO. "Old Files." Coppinger.
18 Ganie, op. cit. p. 372; Nelson’s Encyclopedia, New York, 1907, Vol. 3, p, 363.
19 AGO, "Old Files" Coppinger.

In September of 1861 John Joseph Coppinger landed in the United States. The Midleton native, who hailed from one of the most prominent Catholic families in Co. Cork, was fresh from active service with the Irish Battalion during the 1860 Papal War. Unlike the majority of his fellow Irish immigrants, Coppinger knew precisely where his future lay when he stepped off the boat. He was one of a number of former Papal officers who had spotted opportunity with the coming of the American Civil War (read more about them by clicking here). The rapidly expanding United States Army was desperate for experienced men, and was willing to offer permanent regular commissions in order to obtain them. For ambitious young men like Coppinger, this was a godsend. When he arrived in America, it was in the expectation that his much-needed combat experience would bring him just such a position, and with it an opportunity to carve out a career. So it was little surprise to the newly arrived Corkman when on 30th September 1861 he was commissioned as a Captain in the 14th United States Infantry. It sparked a career that would end 37 years later, at the rank of Major-General of Volunteers, and in command of the IV Corps during the Spanish American War. Following his death on 4th November 1909, John Joseph Coppinger was interred in a prominent position in Arlington National Cemetery. For those of you interested in a detailed account of Coppinger’s career, you can read my piece on him over at my Midleton Heritage site by clicking here.

The Account:

THE FIGHT AT LA QUASINA
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MORE DETAILS OF THE VICTORY OF ROUGH RIDERS
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That the initial skirmish of Colonel [Leonard] Wood's Rough Riders and the troopers of the 1st and 10th Regular Cavalry, which will be known in history as the fight of La Quasina, did not end in the slaughter of the American was not due to any miscalculation in the plans of the Spaniards, for as perfect an ambuscadeas was ever formed in the brain of the Apache Indian was prepared, and Colonel Wood and Lieutenant-colonel [Theodore] Roosevelt and their men walked squarely into it.

For an hour and a half they held their ground under a perfect storm of bullets from the front and the sides, and then Colonel Wood, to the right, and Lieutenant-colonel Roosevelt to the left, led a charge which turned the tide of battle and sent the enemy flying over the hills toward Santiago.

It is now definitely known that sixteen men on the American side were killed, while sixty were wounded or are reported to be missing. It is impossible to calculate the Spanish losses, but it is known that they were far heavier than those of the Americans.

Already thirty-seven dead Spanish soldiers have been found and buried, while many others are undoubtedly lying in the thick underbrush on the side of the gully and on the slope of the hill, where the main body of the enemy was located. The wounded were all removed.

THE ENEMY THOROUGHLY POSTED

That the Spaniards were thoroughly posted as to the route to be taken by the Americans in their movement towards Sevilla was evident, as shown by the careful preparations they had made. The main body of the Spaniards was posted on a hill, on the heavily wooded slopes of which had been erected two blockhouses flanked by irregular intrenchments of stone and fallen trees.

At the bottom of these hills run two roads along which Lieutenant-colonel Roosevelt's men and eight troops of the 1st and 10th Regular Cavalry, with a battery of four howitzers advanced. These roads are but little more than gullies, rough and narrow, and at places almost impassable. In these trails the fight occurred.

Nearly a mile separated Roosevelt's men from the Regulars, and between them and on both sides of the road in the thick underbrush was concealed a force of Spaniards that must have been large, judging from the terrific and constant fire they poured in on the Americans.

The fight was opened by the 1st and 10th Cavalry under General Young. A force of Spaniards was known to be in the vicinity of La Quasina, and early in the morning, Lieutenant-colonel Roosevelt's men started off up the precipitous bluff back of Siboney to attack the Spaniards on their right flank, General Young at that time taking the road at the foot of the hill.

About two and a half miles out from Siboney some Cubans, breathless and excited, rushed up with the announcement that the Spaniards were but a little way in front, and were strongly intrenched. Quickly the Hotchkiss guns out in front were brought to the rear, while a strong scouting line was thrown out. Then cautiously and in silence the troops moved forward until a bend in the road disclosed a hill were the Spaniards were located. The guns were again brought to the front and placed in position, while the men crouched down in the road, waiting impatiently to give Roosevelt's [man] who were toiling over the little trail along the crest of the ridge, time to get up.

At 7:30 A.M. General Young gave the command to the men at the Hotchkiss gun to open fire. That command was the signal for a fight that for stubbornness has seldom been equaled. The instant the Hotchkiss guns were fired, from the hillside commanding the road came volley after volley from the Mausers of the Spaniards.

"Don't shoot until you see something to shoot at!" yelled General Young. And the men, with set jaws and gleaming eyes, obeyed the order. Crawling along the edge of the road, and protecting themselves as much as possible from the fearful fire of the Spaniards, the troopers, some of them stripped to the waist, watched the base of the hill, and when part of a Spaniard became visible they fired. Never for an instant did they falter.

WOUNDED BUT KEPT ON FIGHTING

One dusky warrior of the 10th Cavalry, with a ragged wound in his thigh, coolly knelt behind a rock, loading and firing, and when told by one of his comrades that he was wounded, said:

"Oh, thats all right. That's been there for some time!"

In the meantime, away off to the left could be heard the crack of the rifles of Wood and Roosevelt's men, and the regular, deeper-toned volley firing of the Spaniards.

Over there the American losses were the greatest. Colonel Wood's men, with the advance guard well in front and two Cuban guides before them, but apparently with no flankers, went squarely into the trap set for them by the Spaniards; and only the unfaltering courage of the men in the face of a fire that would make even a veteran quail prevented what might easily have been a disaster.

As is was, Troop L, the advance guard under the unfortunate Captain Capron, was almost surrounded, and but fir the reinforcement hurriedly sent forward every man would probably have been killed or wounded. "There must have been nearly fifteen hundred Spaniards in front of us,: said Lieutenant-colonel Roosevelt afterward. "They held the ridge with rifles pits and machine guns, and hid a body of men in the thick jungle at the sides of the road over which we were advancing, Our advance guard struck the men in ambush and drove them out. But they lost Captain Capron and about fifteen men killed or wounded.

"The Spanish firing was accurate, so accurate, indeed, that it surprised me, and their firing was fearfully heavy.

"I want to say a word for our own men," continued Lieutenant-colonel Roosevelt, "Every officer and man did his duty up to the handle. Not a man flinching.

STORY OF ONE OF THE FIGHTERS

From another officer who took a prominent part in the fighting more details were obtained.

"When the firing began," said he, "Colonel Roosevelt took the right wing with Troops G and K, under Captains Llewelyn and Jenkins, and moved to the support of Captain Capron, who was getting it hard. At the same time Colonel Wood and Major Brodie took the left wing and advanced in open order on the Spanish right wing.

"Major Brodie was wounded before the troops had advanced one hundred yards. Colonel Wood then took the right wing and shifted Colonel Roosevelt to the left.

"In the meantime the fire of the Spaniards had increased in volume, but not withstanding this an order for a general charged was given, and with a yell the men sprang forward. Colonel Roosevelt, in front of his men, snatched a rifle and ammunition belt from a wounded soldier, and cheering and yelling with his men, led the advance. For a moment the bullets were singing like a swarm of bees all around them, and every instant some poor fellow went down.

"On the right wing Captain McClintock had his leg broken by a machine gun, while four of his men went down. At the same time Captain Luna, of Troop F, lost nine of his men. Then the reserves, Troops K and E, were ordered up.

"There was no more hesitation. Colonel Wood, with the right wing, charged straight at a blockhouse eight hundred yards away, and Colonel Roosevelt, on the left, charged at the same time. Up the men went, yelling like fiends, and never stopping to return the fire of the Spaniards, but keeping on with a grim determination to capture the blockhouse.

"The charge was the end. When within five hundred yards of the coveted point the Spaniards broke and ran, and for the first time we had the pleasure which the Spaniards had been experiencing all through the engagement of shooting with the enemy in sight."

MANY DEEDS OF HEROISM

In the two hours' fighting during which the volunteers battled against their concealed enemy enough deeds of heroism were done to fill a volume. One of the men of Troop E, desperately wounded, was lying squarely between the line of fire. Surgeon Church hurried to his side, and, with bullets pelting all around him, calmly dressed the man's wound, bandaged it, and walked unconcernedly back, soon returning with two men and a litter.

The wounded man was placed on the litter and brought to our lines. Another soldier, of Troop L, concealing himself as best as he could behind a tree, gave up his place to a wounded companion, and a moment or two later was himself wounded.

Sergeant Bell stood by the side of Captain Capron when the latter was mortally hit. He had seen that he was fighting against terrible odds, but he never flinched. "Give me your gin a minute," he said to the sergeant, and kneeling down, he deliberately aimed and fired two shots in quick succession. At each a Spaniard was seen to fall. Bell in the meantime had seized a dead comrade's gun, and knelt beside his captain and fired steadily.

When Captain Capron fell he gave the sergeant parting messages to his wife and father, and bade the sergeant good-by in a cheerful voice, and was borne away dying.

Sergeant Hamilton Fish Jr., was the first man killed by the Spanish fire. He was near the head of the column, as it turned from the wood road into the range of the Spanish ambuscade. He shot on Spaniard who was firing from the cover of a dense patch of underbrush. When a bullet struck his breast he sank at the foot of a tree with his back against it. Captain Capron stood over him shooting, and others rallied around him, covering the wounded one.

The ground was thick with empty shells where Fish lay. He lived twenty minutes. He gave a woman's small hunting case watch from his belt to a messmate as a souvenir.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD

With the exception of Captain Capron, all the Rough Riders were buried on the field of action. Their bodies were laid in one long trench, each wrapped in a blanket. Palm leaves lined the trench and were heaped in profusion over the dead bodies.

Captain Brown read the Episcopal burial service for the dead, and as he knelt in prayer every trooper, with bared head, knelt around the trench. When the chaplain announced the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee," the deep bass voices of the men gave a most impressive rendering of the music.

The dead Rough Riders rest right on the summit of the hill where they fell. The sight is most beautiful. A growth of rich, luxuriant grass and flowers covers the slopes, and from the top a far-reaching view is had over the tropical forest.

Chaplain Brown has marked each grave, and has complete records for the benefit of friends of the dead soldiers.

Captain Capron's [body] was brought into Jaragua this afternoon, but it was deemed inadvisable to send the body North at this season, and the burial took place on a hill side near the seashore, back of the provisional hospital.

After a brief service a parting volley was fired over the grave of the dead captain, and a bugle sounded "taps" as the sun sank over the mountain tops beyond Santiago.

Bibliography:

Account: Tarrytown Argus (Tarrytown New York), Saturday, July 2, 1898

Wire fences are extensively placed. It has long been known that Santiago was completely surrounded by one, but it was not expected they would be met with so far afield. Our men, however, tore down and passed through the obstacle.

General Garcia’s troops, 2978 in number, were brought from Acerraderos and landed at Siboney by three of the transports. Their embarkation was much facilitated by the building by General Ludlow of a wharf at Acerraderos.

The landing of stores is rapidly progressing at both Daiquiri and Siboney. The anchorage at the latter place is very fair, and it may, possibly, be made available as a place to coal from our colliers. The St. Louis was anchored there for several days with, at times, seven transports.

Gustav Weineck, ordinary seaman, was drowned from the New York to-day in leaping from the Collier Alexander to the ship; the sea running between the two vessels swept him under at once and he did not rise.

Several shots were fired last night by the Vesuvius at the Morro which seemed to be effective.

The Celtic, supply steamer, returned this morning from Guantanamo.

The Dolphin left for the Havana blockade.

The Helena and Yankton (Lieutenant-Commander Adams,)5 left yesterday for the Southern blockade.

The Hist (Lieutenant Lucien Young) arrived yesterday and went to Guantanamo for coal.

Playa de Este, via Hayti - Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet, To Secretary Of The Navy John D. Long

TELEGRAM



Playa de Este, via Hayti,



June 26, 1898.



Off Santiago de Cuba, June 26th. As the Department may not fully understand the situation here, I send the following: Nine vessels of convoying squadron are coaling at Guantanamo. The New York off Santiago and the others must be coaled in turn. The Yankee is at Cienfuegos, the Dixie at Cape Cruz; the Helena and Hornet left yesterday for those stations; the Detroit and the Eagle will follow; the St. Paul and Yosemite are at San Juan. In Smooth water ships can coal off Santiago with some difficulty. I regard it essential not to reduce this force too much for some days, in view of the fact that the weather may compel me to coal at Guantanamo. Channel was not obstructed by Merrimac and we must be prepared to make better arrangements the Spanish fleet, if they attempt to escape. I am preparing torpedo attack in order to hasten their destruction. Regret this method because of its difficulty and small chance of success, torpedo boats first class being subject to small arms and rapid fire guns for a long distance. I should not do this were present forces to be kept here, as it now ensures the capture which I believe will terminate the war. Shall U.S. ships named the Oregon, the Iowa, and Yankee, etc., be collected here for the proposed move?



SAMPSON.