Topics in Kansas History: War

Essay on the Spanish American War

When the U. S. declared war on Spain in April 1898, four regiments were filled with Kansas volunteers. Most Americans were eager to participate in what was later called the "splendid little war." By August 1898, the U. S. had defeated the declining Spanish empire in the Caribbean and the Pacific and emerged with an empire of its own that included Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands.

The 23rd Kansas Volunteers was an all Black regiment and one of the first to be led by Black officers. It was also the only Kansas regiment to serve in Cuba. The 23rd performed garrison duty at San Luis, Cuba, from September 1, 1898, to February 28, 1899.

The 21st and 22nd regiments spent the war in training camps in Virginia and Georgia.

The 20th Kansas trained in California and shipped out for the Philippines in October 1898. The regiment's objective was to help quell the insurrection that had broken out there after Spain surrendered the islands.

Fred Funston of Iola was given command of the "Fighting Twentieth." For his distinguished service during the Philippine campaign, Colonel Funston was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Major Wilder Metcalf of Lawrence was second in command of the 20th Kansas. Wounded in action at Caloocan and Bocane, Metcalf was promoted to colonel before mustering out with the regiment on October 28, 1898.

After several months of combat duty, the "Fighting Twentieth" returned to San Francisco where the men were greated by a Kansas delegation headed by Governor Stanley. Upon their return to Kansas, the boys of the 20th were given a heroes' welcome in Topeka and their various hometowns across the state.

The insurrection continued despite the military victories won by the 20th and other U. S. troops. A determined group of insurgents demanded, and were willing to die for, immediate independence.

The volunteers of the 20th Kansas were sent home in October 1899, but Funston returned to the Philippines where he increased his reputation as a brave and resourcefull soldier. In 1901, he led an expedition which captured insurgent leader Emilio Aguinaldo. This daring operation essentially ended the organized resistance to American rule in the islands and Funston was rewarded with a commission as brigadier general in the regular army.

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