Spanish War Casualties 1898

Ernest H. Clemens

Died at Santiago July 16, 1898

 

 

Ernest H. Clemens

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1899

 

Morning Sun, Norwich, NY July 7, 1898

The following letter has been received at this office from a former Norwich boy who is now near Santiago:

 

Near Santiago de Cuba, June 21, '98

Reed Campbell, Editor Morning Sun--

I thought I would write you and let you know where I am and also, if possible give you some news.  We have been on the water for over two weeks and are at present in sight of a harbor which we think is Santiago, as there are a number of gun boats patrolling the pass.  Last night some of our gunboats were seen firing on the strongholds of some of the enemy, but it did not last long.  We could see a great fort with glasses and you could see where our shells had come in contact with it.  We are about seven or eight miles from the harbor but can see almost everything.  I am on the ship, Rio Grande, No. 22, and there are 960 soldiers on board. There are about 34 transportation boats, a number of gun boats and two torpedo boats. We are in hopes of being landed tonight but do  not know anything definite, as no one seems to know, or if they do, won't tell.  perhaps it is time I told you who I am, and will do so.  I used to work for you a number of years ago and have always thought a good deal of your paper and it does me good to know that I have at least tried to do something for it.  My name is Ernest H. Clemens.  I am well, but at this writing a little dizzy, but hope to be all right soon.  One man was taken aboard the hospital ship this afternoon, he had the measles they say, but I fear it is worse.  I am satisfied with leading the life of a soldier, but I am anxious to either take active part in a battle before long, as it is getting tiresome to be shut up in the ship when you can almost see the enemy.  I think they are going to shell the place to pieces before landing us. 

Ernest H. Clemens

6th U.S. Cavalry, Troop C

Care War Department, Washington, D.C.

P.S.--We got orders to land tomorrow the 22nd of June

 

First Norwich Boy to Die in The War With Spain

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 6, 1898

The first death to be reported among the few who enlisted for the war from this place [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] is that of Ernest H. Clemens, a member of Troop C, Sixth U.S. Cavalry.  Young Clemens, who was a son of Mrs. Rose Clemens of Maydole street, will be remember by a large number of Norwich people, who will hear with regret of his sad death. 

 

On the 9th of February, last, through the influence of Franklin B. Mitchell, the Rev. E.J. Klock and others, he secured an appointment as musician in the United States Military academy at West Point.  At the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted as bugler in Troop C, Sixth U.S. Cavalry.  He was in all the hard fighting before Santiago and escaped without a wound, but disease, which is often more disastrous to an army than the enemy's bullets, claimed him as a victim after the fighting was over and the victory won. Tuesday night, his mother received a letter from G.C. Barnhardt, second lieutenant of his company, conveying to her the sad news of her son's death.  The letter, which bore the date of July 17th, announced that he had died of dysentery in the camp hospital, near Santiago de Cuba, on the previous day and had been buried in camp.  The officer paid the highest compliments to the dead boy, saying he had been a good soldier and had often proved his valor in the hard fight which they passed through.

 

The news of Ernest's death came as a sudden shock to Mrs. Clemens, who but a few days ago received form him a letter, written in German, of which the following is a translation:

 

Santiago De Cuba, July 8, 1898

Dear Mother--Your last letter just received, and I will answer you at once.  I see you have not received the money I sent.  Hope you will soon get it, for I know you need it and it will make you glad.  I am well and no one is sick here.  I have a number of letters yet to write, hope that you will get this all right.  Dear mother, I hope that you and Willie will keep well and I shall soon be home with you again.  I had a letter form Arthur Dibble and then this one from you is the first I have had in a month.  I wish you would send me the pictures if you can.  Take good care of yourself.

From your loving, thankful son.   Ernest

 

Ernest Clemens was born in Switzerland twenty years ago and came with his parents to this country when twelve years of age.  Since that time he has lived in Norwich until going to West Point.  He is survived by his mother and one brother, William, who have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.

 

Clifford Houghton

Died at Santiago, September 1898

 

 

Clifford Houghton

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1899

 

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, September 14, 1898

HOUGHTON:  At Santiago, September --, 1898, of fever, Clifford Houghton, private in Company F, United States infantry, aged about 20 years.  Deceased was formerly of Norwich.

 

The death of Clifford Houghton at Santiago last Thursday, of typhoid fever, adds one more to the list of Norwich boys who gave their lives in the war with Spain.  Mr. Houghton was a son of Mrs. John W. Houghton of Piano street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], and a brother of Ross Houghton and Miss Orra Houghton of this village, and Fred Houghton of New York city, all of whom survive.  He was 22 years old, and enlisted in Company F, Ninth infantry, at Sacketts Harbor last January.  His body was buried at Santiago.

 

Norwich Honors the Memory of Two Patriotic Sons

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1899

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Two Norwich boys contributed their lives to the cause of the freedom of Cuba.  Both died at Santiago and the bodies were brought north in the transport which reached New York city last week.  Ernest H. Clemens died July 16, 1898, and Clifford J. Houghton in the early days of September [1898].  The remains of both arrived in Norwich by express last Saturday and were taken in charge by the undertakers.  Each was enclosed in a handsomely finished and hermetically sealed metallic case with oak exterior. The one containing the remains of Clemens was borne to Burr & Lawrence's undertaking rooms and the Houghton casket to the rooms of William Breese.  Each casket was enclosed in a strong, well-made pine box, inside of which was the board that had marked the grave at Santiago.  The board that had marked the grave of Clemens was 9 X 30 inches and had been artistically letter by his tent mate, Harry R. Pautley, of Newburg, N.Y.  It was inscribed:  "Ernest H. Clemens, Musician, Troop C, 6th Cavalry.  Died July 16, 1898."  The board was weather-beaten but the inscription could be easily read.  It has since been presented to E.B. Smith Post, G.A.R.  Houghton was a member of Company F, Ninth Regiment. The entire expense of the caskets and transportation from Santiago to Norwich was borne by the government.

 

On Monday afternoon there was a dual funeral, the remains being laid at rest in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY] with full military honors, the services being in charge of Smith Post, G.A.R.  The day was observed as a half holiday, the stores and factories generally being closed and flags displayed at half mast.

 

At 2 o'clock the funeral cortege started, led by carriages containing the clergy, followed by the two hearses, side by side, carrying the caskets, draped with the national colors and almost buried in flowers; the relatives of the deceased and citizens in carriages and twin processions on the sidewalks made up of members of the G.A.R., the Congregational Sunday School, the Fire Department and citizens.  On arriving at the bridge on South Broad street, the carriages paused while the pedestrians passed on and preceded them into the cemetery in the following order:

George W. Brooks, Marshal

Red Men's Enterprise Band

G.A.R Firing Squad, Comrade George Wood, Commander

Members of G.A.R.

The Sunday School f the Congregational Chruch

Alert Hose Company,No. 1

George Rider Hook and ladder Company

Maydole Hose Company, No. 2

Ontario Hose company, No. 3

Employees of the Silk Mill

Citizens, etc.

Carriages

 

The ceremonies at the cemetery were witnessed by several thousand people, gathered at a plot midway between the two graves, which were some distance apart.  The plot had been prepared for the service by spreading matting over a large, square space, in the middle of which the caskets were placed side by side, and surrounded by the relatives and friends. The impressive G.A.R. ritual was rendered by Commander George W. Payne, Mr. Walter Walworth, Lieut. Lucius Crumb and Sargt. Jerome Sherwood, after which the bodies were borne to their last resting places.  A brief prayer was offered at the grave of Clemens by Rev. E.J. Klock, and at the grave of Houghton by Rev. C.B. Parsons, of Oxford, after which the firing squad from their position half way between the two burial places fired three rounds from their muskets and the muffled drum sounded the long roll. The caskets were completely hidden from view by flags and flowers.

 

In the Clemens grave were deposited many miniature flags from the children of the Congregational Sunday school, of which he had been a member.  Six soldiers of the late war assisted as bearers.  The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful, among them being a harp from the employees of the Norwich Pharmacal Company, a wreath from employees of the Chenango Dyeing Company, a pair of palms and a bouquet of roses and carnations from employees of the Norwich Silk Manufacturing company.  The whole ceremony throughout was beautiful, appropriate and impressive.

 

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April 5, 1899

Several thousand people proceeded with the funeral train to the cemetery where full military honors were to take place according to the ritual of the G.A.R. before consigning the remains to their last resting place. The graves were some distance apart, and as one service only was to be held, a carpet of matting had been spread about midway between the two graves.  Here the caskets were placed side by side in the center of a hollow square, surrounded by sorrowing relatives and friends, and by the different societies participating in the service.  The beautiful burial ceremony of the G.A.R. was rendered by Commander Payne, Adjutant Walworth, Lieutenant Crumb and Sergeant Sherwood.  The caskets were then removed to the family plots for burial where short services were held.  Rev. E.J. Klock having charge of those at the grave of Mr. Clemens, and Rev. C.P. Parsons of Oxford, at the grave of Mr. Houghton. At the close of prayer, the firing squad, which had taken up a position half way between the two places of burial, gave three volleys from their muskets, the muffled drum beat the long roll, and the remains of the two Norwich heroes who sacrificed their lives in the cause of humanity were consigned to mother earth.

 

The demonstration was most impressive, and the arrangements were successfully carried out. The soldiers of the Spanish war assisted as bearers, and many flags were displayed from residences and business places. the large flags on the Maydole Hammer factory staff, and on the High school building were at half mast.  Miniature flags were deposited in the graves, and the floral pieces were especially beautiful and appropriate.