The Spanish–American War was fought between Spain and the United States from April 21 to December 10 of 1898. The U.S. went to war with Spain in 1898 due to a combination of factors:
American expansionism and economic interests: The U.S. had long-held interests in ridding the Western Hemisphere of European colonial powers. Additionally, U.S. businesses sought to protect their economic investments in Cuba, and many saw a strategic opportunity to expand American influence and power in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Cuban struggle for independence: Cuban revolutionaries had been fighting for independence from Spanish colonial rule since 1895. The resulting violence and instability in Cuba negatively impacted U.S. investments and trade, and the brutal Spanish tactics used to suppress the rebellion, such as the reconcentration camps, generated significant public outrage in the United States.
The USS Maine explosion: In February 1898, the USS Maine battleship exploded and sank in Havana Harbor. While the cause of the explosion remains uncertain, American newspapers immediately blamed Spain, using the incident to fuel public anger with the slogan “Remember the Maine!”.
Yellow journalism: Sensationalist newspapers, known as the “yellow press,” exaggerated Spanish atrocities in Cuba to boost circulation and create strong public support for war.
When war was declared against the Kingdom of Spain, a call was made for volunteers by President McKinley. North Carolina was quick to respond, offering up the 1st North Carolina Volunteer Infantry. The 1st served in Cuba as part of the occupation forces following the cessation of hostilities.
Over 100 men from Cleveland County served in the 1st NC Regiment. Nine served with Company A; the rest served with Company G. One man had recently left Cleveland County for Rutherford County–William Terrill Reilly Bell, who had been the founder of the Shelby Military Institute. He served as Captain of Company B of the 2nd NC Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
For more information, visit: Roster of North Carolina Volunteers in the Spanish-American War and the Spanish American War Database.
Company A
David E. Bennett, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C.
John L. Goforth, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C.
William P. Herndon, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C., Discharged June 30, 1898
William P. Hoke, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C.
Robert M. Hord, Pvt., Waco, N.C., Discharged July 31, 1898
William T. Huffstetler, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C.
Rufus J. Mauney, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C.
James E. Rhodes, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C., Discharged June 39, 1898
Julius F. Weif, Pvt., Kings Mtn., N.C., Discharged June 30, 1898
Company G
Thomas C. Ferguson, Artificer, Kings Mtn., N.C.
William J. Sullivan, Wagoner, Shelby, N.C.
Upton S. Alexander, Musician, Shelby, N.C.
Albert B. Homesley, Musician, Shelby, N.C.
Horace S. Alexander, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Weldon Q. Atkins, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Reuben E. Campbell, Pvt., Fallston, N.C.
Pinkney S. Chapman, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Lemuel S. Conner, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Wright T. Dixon, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Maxwell E. Dorsey, Pvt., Belwood, N.C.
Sterling P. Farrell, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Charles T. Fowler, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Clarence R. Gibson, Pvt., Patterson Springs, N.C.
Thomas W. Green, Pvt., Lattimore, N.C.
Dock H. Griffin, Pvt., Patterson Springs, N.C.
Reuben Harris, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
George S. Hogue, Pvt., Grover, N.C.
Dock S. Jones, Pvt., Lattimore, N.C.
Phillip S. Kiser, Pvt., Toluca, N.C.
John W. Limerick, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Hugh G. Logan, Pvt., Patterson Springs, N.C.
Christopher J. Love, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
William V. Metcalf, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Samuel C. Patterson, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Thomas R. Patterson, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
Sidney B. Short, Pvt., Belwood, N.C.
John L. Sullivan, Pvt., Shelby, N.C.
John F. Roberts 2nd Lieutenant Patterson Springs, N.C. Resigned
William M. Jones 1st , Sgt., Shelby, N.C., Discharged Oct. 31, 1898
Chesley Hamrick, Pvt., Boiling Springs, N.C. Discharged June 30, 1898
John C. Eaker, Pvt., Shelby, N.C. Discharged July 31, 1898
Robert M. Justice , Sgt., Shelby, N.C., Died Sept. 16, 1898 Jacksonville, Fla
John W. Hale, Pvt., Shelby, N.C., Died Aug. 29, 1898 Jacksonville, Fla
Julius L. Campbell, Pvt., Fallston, N.C., Died Nov. 24, 1898 Savannah, Ga
Junius T. Gardner, Captain, Shelby, N.C.
John K Wells, 1st Lieutenant, Shelby, N.C.
William W. Jones, 2nd Lieutenant, Shelby, N.C.
Hugh A. Logan, 1st Sgt., Shelby, N.C.
Carl J. Peterson, QM Sgt., Patterson Springs, N.C.
James Alexander, Sgt., Shelby, N.C.
Harold S. Hall, Sgt., Shelby, N.C.
Thomas W. Mittag, Sgt., Shelby, N.C.
Alexander F. Tiddy, Sgt., Shelby, N.C.
Victor C. Baker, Cpl., Belwood, N.C.
Clarence T. Hardin, Cpl., Patterson Springs, N.C.
William P. Gale, Cpl., Shelby, N.C.
Charles R. Little, Cpl., Shelby, N.C.
Benjamin F. Dixon Jr., Cpl., Shelby, N.C.
John R. Bruce, Cpl., Shelby, N.C.
Band
Jefferson G. Morris; died Nov. 20, 1898
Field and Staff
Baxter R. Hunter, Captain; Assistant Surgeon
Cleveland County History 