Springfield in the Spanish American War

by Walter W. Ward

Private Paul Vesper of B was younger than his brother, Lieut. Harry J. Vesper, but had many of the qualities which made the latter so well liked. He was serving his first enlistment in B company when the war came, and promptly expressed a desire to volunteer. He died in the camp before Santiago, August 10, 1898.

ROBERT G. KELLY.

Robert G. Kelly was the third G company man to fall in the fighting in front of Santiago. At 10 o'clock on the night of July 2d, the crashing of rifle volleys and the screams of shells awoke the Second from the sleep of fatigue, and the officers and men rushed to the crest of the hill behind which they had bivouacked. The attack was to the right of the Second's position, but while waiting for orders the regiment had to stand the rain of scattering shot and Kelly was the first to be hit. The bullet struck him in the left cheek, going through and lodging in the muscles of the other side. He was taken to the division hospital and died there July 15. He was the son of Samuel Kelly of Springfield and enlisted just before the Second was ordered to South Framingham.

ARTHUR M. BURNHAM.

Private Arthur M. Burnham of K was the son of George M. Burnham, a well known contractor and builder of Springfield. Arthur was born in 1876 and studied in the public schools. He was popular with his school fellows and with all who knew him. For three years previous to the breaking out of the war he had been associated with his father in business. He enlisted in K company soon after its transfer to Springfield and after serving three years, left the company, a short time before the war broke out. He was one of the first of the former members to reenlist when it was known that war was certain and bore himself manfully through the campaign. He was ill with typhoid when the regiment left Cuba and was obliged to be left behind.

FRED A. STETSON.

Fred A. Stetson enlisted in G company at the outbreak of the war and served faithfully until he was attacked by the disease which laid him low, only a day or two after his comrades had left Cuba for home. He was employed in Springfield when he enlisted, but had only been in the city a short time, and had no near relatives living so far as known. He was 24 years old.

JOHN J. MALONE.

John J. Malone, fatally wounded at El Caney, was a member of B company and had been for two years previous to the outbreak of the war. He was a bright, cheerful young fellow and was well liked by his acquaintances as well as by his comrades. His parents died during his childhood and John made his home with a relative. He was employed in the Homestead office. At El Caney, Malone was one of the first men hit, the fatal bullet striking him within a few moments after B company had taken its position with the 22d. He died in the field hospital.

FRANK E. MOODY.