Lepanto Scouts, Philippine Islands

Datec. 1899

MediumPaper

ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact

Terms

Catalog number1987.1.304

DescriptionLepanto Scouts at the Phillipine Islands
Names TL to BR: Abbie, Curtis, Fletcher, Smoots, Stelton (Chief), McHenry

Updated information on some of the men identified in this photo, courtesy of Avery Frantz in November 2023 (President of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans of Arizona):

In what I have been able to see, some or all of the men in the photo seem to yield from the 1st Territorial Infantry and then transfer to the 34th US Infantry. Reason I say "some or all" is that I cannot find a complete roster of the territorial infantry so I am not sure if the other men I couldn't find were members of the territorial infantry or not.

Of those in the photo, the last names should be that of:
Ernest C. Stelton, 1st Territorial INF, Co. G, Private "later to 34th INF"
Henry/Harry Turner Smoots, 1st Territorial INF, Co. H, SGT
George B. Curtis, 1st Territorial INF, Co. D, PVT

- As you surely know there is no official regiment with the scout name on the photo.

- According to 1900 Census Ernest Stelton was born in McAllister County, Oklahoma and stationed at the Soldiers' Home located at Cabonatuan, Philippine Islands, Military and Naval Forces with the 34th INF.

Connections: While none of the men listed that I found have a connection directly to Tempe, Tempe did in fact supply a company for the Territorial Infantry. Furthermore, Ernest Stelton's grandchildren seem to live in Arizona even though his daughter was born in the Philippines. Another reason for the photo could also be the 34th Infantry idea that you noted. Chester Cummins who died in 1929 and buried in Tempe Double Butte Cemetery also served in the 34th Infantry. Seems that Company C was from Tempe - (Reference - Arizona in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection, and China Relief Expedition, February 15th, 1898, to July 4th, 1902 (rootsweb.com)).

Date of Photo: On the website for the link to the photo of the Lepanto Scouts it states that the image is circa 1898. I believe the date should be changed to circa 1899. 1st we know that the 1st Territorial Infantry was discharged in Feb of 1899, and they saw no action so we know that the service of these men had to be after that date. We also know that in 1898 Krags were in short supply and that it would be quite rare for them to have Krags. The Rough Riders got Krags just days before leaving only because of Teddy Roosevelt pushing for them. Also we know thanks to a newspaper article that troops of the 34th and 33rd were sent to suppress insurgents in the Lepanto province and in December of 1899 were declared gone. That comes from a Los Angeles Evening Express paper from Dec 12, 1899, Pg 1.

Status

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