Chester's Citizens in the Spanish-American War: The Volunteer

In many ways, the Spanish-American War is New York’s war.

It was the yellow journalism of the great newspapers of New York City that exaggerated and fabricated stories of Spanish crimes to rally people into supporting the war. A notable New Yorker, Theodore Roosevelt, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, pushed internally for conflict. And at the end of the war, New York City welcomed the victorious Admiral George Dewey and his mighty fleet after his decisive battle in Manila Bay.

But Private Alonzo E. Wells of Chester, N.Y., would serve in the “Lomax Rifles” Company B of the 2nd Alabama Volunteer Infantry (Regiment), stationed in Mobile, Alabama. It's a mystery lost to time why a New Yorker ended up in an Alabaman unit, more than a thousand of miles from his home. It's possible he wanted to be somewhere warmer and more exciting. After all, with all of the turbulence in the Caribbean at the time, conflict seemed inevitable, and many young men wanted to be in the action.

Whatever the reason, the United States had its ambitions in the Caribbean, and there was adventure to be had. The 2nd Alabama was mustered into service on May 16, 1898 in Mobile, with nearly a thousand men. The young women of the city presented the regiment with their colors and donated instruments to the regimental band.

A harsh journey

On June 14, the unit began its arduous march from Mobile to Miami, Florida, to prepare for deployment to the battlefields of Cuba. The journey amid the South's humidity and unpaved roads was harsh. The regiment made it to Miami on the 30th and stayed until August, when Spain signed an Armistice with the States. Although the regiment never saw combat, its soldiers were nonetheless prepared for war and ready to lay down their lives for their nation.

Wells did give his life to his country, most likely as a result of yellow fever, a virus spread by infected mosquitoes in the tropics and subtropics. His family had his remains brought back to Chester and buried in the town cemetery, by the family obelisk.

Wells is one of the few men in Chester documented to have served in the Spanish-American War. We must respect all of our veterans, regardless of where or when they served, as long as they did so with the honor and integrity expected of our service members.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no memorial or monument to the Spanish-American War in Orange County. Regardless, on Veteran’s Day, these brave men deserve to be honored along with their brethren of conflicts more known.

Editor's note: In the recent article "Chester's Citizens in the Civil War: The Bugler," an error was made of describing the subject’s bugle as “silver," when in fact it is a normal metal bugle. The Chronicle regrets the error.