Kenedy Rifles Go To War
Rating |
|
To hear audio clip |
Click On Access This Item |
Title |
Kenedy Rifles Go To War |
Subject |
Kenedy Rifles |
Transcript |
Kenedy Rifles Go To War More than 100 years ago, the Kenedy Rifles marched through Corpus Christi on their way to what was called " a splendid little war." The Caller had been filled with war news since the battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor on Feb.16,1898. After war against Spain was declared on April 28, volunteer units formed all over Texas. There were the O'Connor Guards from Victoria, the Belknap Rifles and the famous Rough Riders were training in San Antonio. The Kenedy Rifles had to borrow money to take the train to Austin. As It left the depot, someone yelled, "Remember the Maine." Once in Austin, the 84 men that made up the Kenedy Rifles were formed into Company E of the First Texas Volunteer Infantry. They were still in training when the U.S. Navy defeated the Spanish Fleet outside Santiago Harbor and when Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders stormed up San Juan Hill. The shooting war only lasted for four months. The Kenedy Rifles ---- or rather, Company E ---- were shunted from training camps near Mobile, Jacksonville, and Savannah. Finally, on Christmas Day, 1898, they boarded a transport vessel and arrived in Havana Harbor five days later. They saw the wreck of the Maine as they crossed the bar, with the band playing the Star-Spangled Banner. They waved at departing Spanish soldiers. They were not impressed with the defeated Spanish. "They look little" a Corpus Christian wrote home: " one American could whip four of them." Another wrote that the Cuban people were friendly ----"they cheered and threw us cigars in a parade. " They did garrison duty for almost a year before they were demobilized. They arrived back in Corpus Christi on April 18, 1899, to a rousing welcome at the SAAP depot. The next day, Market Hall was draped in flowers and bunting to celebrate the return of Corpus Christi's veterans of the Spanish- American War. Murphy Givens: KEDT Radio Scripts |
Author |
Murphy Givens |
Publisher |
KEDT Radio |
Date |
3/8/2002 |
Type |
Sound Recording |
Format |
MP3; Length 2 min. 18 sec. |
Language |
English |
Add tags for Kenedy Rifles Go To War
you wish to report:
...