Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War. Inflamed by newspaper accounts of Spanish Imperialism in nearby Cuba and outraged by the alleged Spanish sinking of the US Battleship "Maine," Kentuckians enthusiastically entered into the brief conflict. The three existing infantry regiments of the Kentucky state guard were activated. Both the Barborville and Salyersville cavalry troops were mobilized. Following the major conflict. The fourth infantry regiment was raised and called into federal service., The first infantry regiment of Kentucky served in Puerto Rico as wagon train escorts, investigators of sedition and local retaliation, as well as couriers and troubleshooters., Following the cessation oh hostilities, the third infantry regiment served in Cuba in duties comparable to the first infantry's in Puerto Rico., The 2nd and 4th regiments and the two cavalry troops were stationed in the Continental United States through the duration of the war., Including the Kentucky State Guard units, 6065 Kentuckians served in the several branches of the armed forces of the United States., Notably, black Kentuckians saw much action in the Spanish-American War while serving in segregated regiments formed after the Civil War.