Spanish American War Honor Roll

Jesse C. Clagett: From the Frederick News Headline: Going with Roosevelt -- Frederick County Men Join the Rough Riders. "Two well known residents of Frederick County will be members of Theodore Roosevelt's rough riders with the Cuban invading army. They are Thomas G. Bradley and Jesse C. Clagett. Both have had Western experience and Mr. Bradley has spent some time in Cuba. They were introduced to Mr. Roosevelt by Representative McDonald and tendered their services. Mr. Roosevelt declined at first to accept them on the ground that they were not physically prepared to stand the rough service he expects his troops to perform. Both maintained, however, that they had had sufficient experience to make them familiar with the character of service Mr. Roosevelt proposes and at another conference yesterday Mr. Roosevelt agreed to enroll them as members of his command. "Mr. Clagett received word yesterday of his acceptance by Mr. Roosevelt and set out at once for Washington, driving, intending to go as far Rockville last night and drive on to Washington today."

He was in Troop K, First Regiment of U.S. Cavalry Volunteers, where he first made the acquaintance of Captain Woodbury Kane, commander, Troop K. He was mustered in 05 May, 1898, and mustered out 15 September 1898, at Camp Wikoff, Long Island. You can find a picture of Jesse in his Rough Rider uniform in the 19 Aug 1899 edition of the Frederick News. On 26 October 1899, Governor Roosevelt introduced Jesse at a dinner, with excerpts in that day's newspaper of what was said. During his service to our country, Jesse fought in the following battles/skirmishes/etc.:" Las Guasimos and San Juan Hill, Engagement and skirmishes before Santiago, and first expeditions to Cuba," according to his military record.

(Dr.) Major Romanus A. LaGrinder: Mr. LaGrinder of West Point, New York was born at Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1881. Served as a private in Company A of the 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry. The First Maryland Volunteer Infantry never saw combat in Cuba or the Philippines. He was stationed in the west and came to Washington on official business, when he caught a cold that developed into pneumonia.  Mr. LaGrinder died on January 29, 1920, and is buried in a family plot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Guy Nunemaker: One of the first commanders of the native constabulary from which the famed Philippine Scouts and later the modern Filipino army, which went down so bravely with American troops under General Wainwright at Bataan and Corregidor, was formed. The Emmitsburg correspondent enlisted in the 43rd Infantry at Washington in 1898 when he was 19. Sailed from New York on the government transport Meade and arrived in Manila 45 days later after a trip that extended past Gibraltar, Malta. Port Said, Aden. Arabia and Singapore. Served on the islands of Luzon. Samar, Layte, Bohole and on expeditions into the Moro country. In a detachment which gave guard protection to the father of General Douglas MacArthur when he made an inspection trip to the outlying posts in the southern islands. A corporal who drilled the first constabulary on the island of Layte.

Charles Edward Ridge: Served 21 months in the Philippine Islands which Mr. Ridge was promoted to Corporal. Mr. Ridge died on Aug 6, 1938 and is buried at Mountain View cemetery, Emmitsburg.

If you have any information that could help us expand our
archives on the knowledge of men from Emmitsburg who may have served in the  Spanish American War, please send it to us at john@emmitsburg.net