Historic Hood River
Oregon National Guard, 1898
5-9-2013
Notes
This is part of a series of photos showing an encampment of troops at Hood River in 1898 during the Spanish American War. This parade includes a band with the initials “ONG” on the drum, so I’m guessing these were Oregon National Guard troops being called for service in the Philippines. Hopefully some of you can fill us in on the involvement of local troops in this war.
These troops are marching west on Oak Street passing the post office and livery on first street, seen from the same vantage point as this image. I think they are carrying their bedrolls.
Chase
Wondering what type of print this is. Looks sort of like albumen print and not a gelatin silver, but there could be other factors, like the paper and camera that I’m no expert at determining.
Arthur
The camera used to shoot this photograph had a poor lens. You can see it only focused in the middle of the field. This is not a depth of field issue– subjects in the focal plane are out of focus as you move away from the enter. It’s a pretty common issue with images from this era– I think it gives the images a "fish tank" quality.
charlott
The second Oregon Volunteer Infantry was the unit from Oregon that actually went to the Phillipines to war.
Lesa
After the exploding & sinking of the USS Maine in Havana, Cuba, Pres. McKinley called upon Oregon to provide a regiment of infantry, from its National Guard. It was organized as the 2nd Regiment, and departed for San Francisco on May 25th, 1898. This was the first time the National Guard would be used to fight a foreign war. It provided the first U.S. Army unit to land at the Philipines and was the first to enter Manila. The next 4 months saw them fighting in 5 campaigns, 42 battles, skirmishes and full engagements. They lost 64 men, killed in action, and other causes. 88 men were wounded in action and 3 were awarded the medal of honor. One was a native of Hood River, Pvt. Marcus Robertson. The unit returned home to Oregon, June 14, 1898.
Lesa
Correction: Marcus was not a native son of Hood River, but entered service in Hood River. He was a private in Co. B 2nd Div. Oregon Vol. Reg. He was born in Flintville, Wisconsin. He was awarded this honor for the following reason.
"Pvt. Marcus Robertson with 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." Quoted from the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
l.e.
I think the top building is the same one featured in #190.
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=190
One of the first buildings in HR.
L.E.
From an 1896 Oregon Report from the Adjutant-General’s Office
I wonder where these men stayed?
"HEADQUARTERS THIRD BATTALION: THE DALLES, OREGON
This battalion, formerly third regiment, consists of five companies under the command of Lieut.-Col. J.M. Patterson…….
The Hospital Corps…the members are stationed at Hood River where the assistant surgeon, Lieut. F.B. Brosius, resides. The corps was not included in the order for this inspection….."
Mary Gallegos
Hi – Marcus is my great great uncle. while he was born in Wisconsin – they moved to HoodRiver when he was a young boy. My grandfather was born in Hood River in 1903, Marcus is buried in the Pine Grove Cemetary – we visit every year. Growing up – we visited Hood River every year for memorial day. He did not just wander through Hood River, he spent his life there.
John Henry
Officer in charge:
In 1954, my father John Henry Chipley swore me into the Hood Rover National Guard. He was responsible for starting ghe National Guard
Jeffrey W Bryant
This was from 1897. See Image 2963 for a link to the Adjutant General’s Report concerning Camp Jackson.