COURSE THREETHE WAR
Barely was the next drill season well inaugurated when the Maine sailed for Havana, and then came the terrible disaster in which many of the division’s shipmates were hurled into eternity, and next the preparation for the approaching conflict with Spain. In April, the First Regiment marched away, the division remaining eager for the coming call. Each drill evening the men put heart, energy and sustained attention into the work. Drills took place on the park in the presence of citizens who paid their tributes of respect to the sailor blue. Each member was urged to train physically, as well as to learn the drills. Seamanship, signalling and such boat work as could be taught were the backbone of the instruction.
Finally the call came and over ninety per cent. of the division volunteered at roll call to enlist in the United States Navy for the entire conflict. On June 6, the division paraded in heavy marching order up Main Street and by Trumbull and Asylum Streets to the railroad station, escorted by posts of the Grand Army and by veteran and active military commands, and entrained for the State Military Rendezvous in Niantic.
On June 15, Commander Field, U. S. N., mustered in the command thenceforward known as the “war company.” Following are the names and the ages with ratings obtained before the mustering out and with the names of the ships on which each individual mainly served:
DIVISION BOAT RACE IN BOSTON HARBOR
DIVISION BOAT RACE IN BOSTON HARBOR
DIVISION BOAT RACE IN BOSTON HARBOR
From Niantic the division went to the receiving ship Minnesota at the Congress Street slip in the Charlestown Navy Yard. At one time and another officers were detailed and men were drafted to vessels of the “Mosquito fleet,” and these were scattered all the way down the coast to Key West and the Havana Blockade, Ensign Cuntz on the Sylvia having the good fortune to see the Morro.