Meigs County in the Spanish-American War

In the spring of 1898, a number of Meigs County boys joined the Army to fight against the Spanish. They expected to go to Cuba, the Philippines, or Hawaii. Company L of the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, made it as far as Virginia. Two members of Company L, Charles W. Hartley and Aaron W. Hartley, wrote a number of letters home which were published in the Democrat and Tribune-Telegraph newspapers.

May 4, 1898

IN TENTS, the Ohio Boys in Blue at Parade Rest
at Camp Bushnell, Await a Call to the Fort
Every Day is Like a Circus, With Flags and Bands Galore
Sunday's Excurslonists, Thousands Strong,
Cheer the Boys on the Glad Sabbath Day.

June 29, 1898

The First Brigade Goes on a 13 Mile Practice March.
New Recruits Reach Here Saturday Noon Covered With
Dust and Loaded with Boxes and Injuries.
Co. L in Perfect Health and Enjoying Soldering.

July 13, 1898

Anxiously Waiting! The 7th Ohio Anxiously
Awaiting Orders to Move to the Front!
July Fourth is Celebrated in Camp Alger

July 20, 1898

STILL TRAINING! Company L Getting in Fine
Shape for the Stern Realities of War! Completely Equipped
and Eager for the Order, "Forward March"

July 27, 1898

Camp Gossip
A Long Breezy Letter From Comrade Hartley
Living Up to Regulations - Troubles in Spelling
Yellow-jacket Story - Hot Weather Drills -
Fresh Arrivals From Ohio -- The Sick

August 3, 1898

In Washington
Entire Second Corps Will Be Reviewed
By the President and His Cabinet Saturday
Some Camp Notes - The Dark Side of Soldier Life
New Camp Grounds - A Second Medical Examination

August 7, 1898

WE MOVE TO MANASSES!
All the Troops at Camp Alger to be
Moved to the Site of the Old Battle Ground.
Fever Victims Increase in Numbers Every Day Here.

August 17, 1898

FROM COMPANY L
Events of a Week at Camp Alger.
The News of Peace Hailed With a Cheer by the Soldiers'

August 24, 1898

FROM COMPANY L
To Come Home or Not to Come Home, That is the Question

September 7, 1898

At Camp Meade
Our Boys Leave the Yellow Dust of
Virginia for the Fields of Pennsylvania
The Regiment to Come to Columbus,
This Month, to Be Mustered Out

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