University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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Paul Draper, after his regiment was transferred to the Thilippines, r-ceived a well-won commission as second lieu- tenant. Several months later he was drowned in a heroic effort to save the lives of some of his men in the capsizing of a boat. He also was finally interred in the Moscow ccmetery. Other names crowd into my memory, but it is impossible to mention all who deserve it. Under the enthusiastic leadership of President Blanton, money was raised by popular subscription to erect the Hag- berg-Draper monument and the original bronze tablet. The latter, being destroyed in the fire of 1906, has just been re- stored. It is to call fresh attention to the deep significance of these memorials that this brief outline has been written. J. M. Acpricn. IN HONOR {OF ITS OFsTHE UNIVERSIToy¥ OF IDA ED’ IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN SERVED IN. THE PHILIPPINES 1898 — 1899 TWHA 14 M

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took part in this action and were for some time afterward sta- tioned in barracks and employed in guard duty at various places. Shortly afterward Hagberg, Kays and Bush were in the hospital with typhoid fever. The two latter recovered in due time, but Hagberg, after convalescing, suffered a relapse and died on the 20th of November. How vividly comes before my eyes the mysterious unsigned cablegram of three words— “Hagberg died midnight.” There was deep sorrow in the University, for Hagberg was as promising a man as any who wore the blue for Idaho. A viking in strength, with splendid mental endowment, he was fired with a noble and lofty ambition that would have carried him far if time had been given him. His comrades buried him in far-off Manila, clothed in the uniform of a cadet captain of the University of Idaho. Later his body was brought to Moscow and interred where the spot can be visited by the cadet battalion on each recurring Decoration Day. In early fall, under Miss Cushman’s leadership, a Christ- mas box was packed for the soldier boys of the University. And it was a box! The reception of this by the cadet members of Company D on Christmas Day was one bright spot for them to look back upon. They were very homesick They were losing a year at least from their college courses. Their life was devoid of the excitement that often sustains the soldier amid hardships. Their surroundings were squali and revolting. So when they opened the box, packed with s much thoughtfulness and care, it seemed like a beautif glimpse of home again. During the fall and winter the Filipinos became more an more opposed to the stay of the American army in tl Philippines and, on February 4, 1899, they began an attac on the Americans, who immediately assumed the offensi and in a bloody campaign of several months crushed the native opposition. The Idaho regiment had a conspicuous part in several battles, notably at Santa Ana on February 5, when Major McConville met a soldier's death while charging the enemies position. In the course of the campaign James Gibb received a flesh found in the shoulder and Captain Edward Smith was shot in the knee by a sharpshooter while in the trenches, but the rest of the University cadets came through anscathed, As the treaty of peace with Spain had already been signed for some menths, the regular army was transferred as rapidly as possible to the Philippines and the volunteers gradually withdrawn and ordered home. On July 31 Company D em- barked for home ou the transport Grant, returning by way of Japan, arriving in San Francisco August 29. Here they were mustered out on September 25, and a few days later reached their homes. An effort was made to keep the cadets together for a reception at the University, but most of them scattered so that there were barely a half dozen present. Others re- turned and took up their courses after a few days. Thirteen of the thirty-nine eventually were numbered among the alumni of the University, which for those days, or even yet, would be a fair proportion, The first sergeant of the company, Charles H. Armstrong, deserves special mention fer the splendid qualities he dis- played as a soldier and as a man. He was beloved by his comrades and looked upon as a leader, A few days after the muster out, after they were in San Francisco, he was appointed a second lieutenant in Company H, a well-earned but late reward. George A. Snow, color sergeant of the Idaho regiment, also displayed manly and brave qualities on many fields.

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