New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-07-16
Organization Formed in 1898
At State Armory-Mem-
bers Have. Praise For
Mayor Curtis and Quigley..

At the cessation of hosti1itiey in
1898 the then young, now middle
aged, veterans often in their CONVEX.
sations with each other, would refer
to their varied experiences in the war
and many hours have been passed re-
viving. old memories. Such Nriend
ships and close associations were
formed during the term of service in
the u. S.. forces that will always be.
cherished, the bonds Of friendships
formed, together with the tedious
service performed in Uncle Sans
only volunteer army. seeming to
draw closer together these men in
civilian life who together had shout
dered the rifle and taken the oath to
support the constitution Of the U. S.
For months they had toiled xtogeth-
err chummed together, eaten together,
sleeping in the same tent, sharing
their. funds and tobacco, with. their
united allegiance to the flag, and their
proven patriotism, forged one of
friendship links in the strong chain
of comradeship. ~
It was obvious that these men
should follow the examples Of their
elder comrades of the G.. A. r. and
organize themselves into an associa-
ton of veterans in New Britain, to
perpetuate the memories of their
services in the war with Spain, and to
give aid and assistance to their com
rades in sickness or distress.
Under these conditions, a number
Of them assembled in Company I par
lors at the State Armory on Arch
street, early in 1903 and discussed the
advisabilit5 of banding together for
their mutual welfare.
Society II Organized,
AT this time the Spanish War veter-
ana. organization was in. its infancy
consequently was not very strong,
either numerically or financially
The meeting in the Armory was
presided over, by Lieut.-Co1 Charles
Fl. Moore and was addressed by Adj
Gen. Cole and Col. Edward Schultz OF
Hartford, who gladly gave all the in
formation regarding the Spanish War
veterans that would be of assistance.
Several meetings were held, each more
enthusiastic than the others, when it
was finally decided to formally or
ganize a command of the Spanish
war veterans.
On tho night OF May s. 1903, the
COLlIlIduu was loIIudIly OTSdulZcu anu
mustered into the Spanish War Vet
erans' organization by Adj.-Gen. Cole
of Hartford, as A. G. Hammond. COM
mand, No. 248, forty-seyen signing
the charter list
Chose Name for Command.
The choosing Of. name for the
command was the cause of some dis
cussion, but it was finally and unani-
| mous1y decided to name 1t after the
beloved commander Of the. First Bat
talon Of the old First Regiment,
Conn. Volunteer Infantry, Lieut.. Col
A: G. Hammond. Col. Hanrno nd was
the best soldier and the best liked
man, so far as the New Britain. men
were concerned, in the entire. army.
| In response to. a request made OF him
| Col. Hammond gladly and. promptly
gave his permission ito use his name,
| so the command was; formally mus
| tered in as A. G.. Hammond conEnand,
No. 248,t Spanish War Veterans. This
gallant officer (Col. Hammond) "a cap
| tain in the regulars, who attained the
| rank of major after the close. OF the
| war, died on February q, 1906, after
| a short illness, mourned and regret
ted by large number Of friends
Resolutions of. coincidence were
| adopted by the command and in many
homes in New Britain today is dis
| played large photo OF the colonel
| in a conspicuous place.
The first officers of the command
| were: Commander. Capt. S. E. Mag
| son; senior vice-commander, Capt.
S. M. Leonard; junior vice-commander
w. J. Rawlings; adjutant, v. A. Clark;
| @. M, G. e. Thorngren.
These officers conducted the affairs
| Of the command to the satisfaction
of all the members and in the fol-
lowing December were all reelected
| for another term.
Vote to Amalgamate.
In June 1904. it was announced that
| all the various organizations growing
out of the Spanish war. had voted to
amalgama under the name of the
| United Spanish War Veterans and