9th Regiment, Infantry
New York Volunteers

Spanish American War

Camp Townsend - Peekskill, New York

On May 2, 1898, Brigadier General Peter C. Doyle of the Forth Brigade, in command of the camp, designated the camp name "Camp Townsend". Brig. Gen. Doyle chose that name in honor of the late State Adjutant General, Frederick Townsend, who established the state camp in 1882 for training New York National Guard units. Colonel Joseph Story of the Ordnance Department and his staff had Camp Townsend's 1,000 tents nearly ready when the 8th Regiment, New York, arrived at 5:15pm and were giving a 21 gun salute by the sixteen man detail from the First Battery. The State and National flags we run up the flag pole and Camp Townsend was officially opened.

The 9th Regiment was second to arrive in Peekskill after a six hour trip up the Hudson River on the Steamship Sam Sloan. Great crowds of Peekskillians crammed the docks to welcome the three regiments and all of the soldiers received ovations while they disembarked. The last regiment to arrive at Camp Townsend, that late afternoon, was the 12th Regiment, New York. The 9th Regiment, originally commanded by Colonel William Stewart, occupied the old camp grounds of Camp Townsend. While the 8th and 12th Regiments had their tents pinched on what was once known as the North Parade Grounds. The 9th, being the senior regiment, had the best choice of camp sites with all their tents having wooden floors. The 8th and 12th Regiments had no flooring in their tents and had only straw to spread on the damp, bare ground. The men of the 8th and 12th were also thinly clad with overcoats and were only issued one army blanket. There were no cots to be found, except in the officers tents, and mattresses from former years had all disappeared. With all three of the regiments men calling New York City home, few were used to "camping out". The idea of camp life to some of the new recruits was quite rosy, but when they found out the truth, many were shocked. One new recruit, from the 8th, while opening up the flap of his tent, looked around at his comrades with a look of dismay on his face remarked "Great Scott, fellows, there ain't a damn thing in here". The shocked recruit's complaints were quickly followed by a roar of laughter from the older campaign veterans.

Of the three regiments, the 9th made the best showing, according to the camp commanders. They were a sturdy looking lot of men, even to the new recruits, the 9th's strong formation was only spoiled by the 300 recruits that were not in uniform. Colonel Stewart was very upset about this, and said it was a shame that the State had not provided for such an emergency. The 12th gave the 9th a strong argument for first place, however, there was an equal number of un-uniformed recruits. The 8th did not look well at all. Many if their recruits were improperly clothed for the cold nights, and a gray blanket was their only accoutrement. Even though all the men were cheerful and seemed to make the best of matters.

With over 3,000 men in camp, the Mess Hall was a vital service of Camp Townsend. The Mess Hall, under the direction of Duncan-Odell, had two large additions added so that 3,000 men could be fed in two divisions of 1,500 men each. While statements of no "salt horse and hardtack" was to be served to the men, at present, the commanding officers ensured that the men would be well fed. Major E. C. Roessie, in charge of the Commissary, signed contracts with many New York provision dealers. Refrigerator cars would make daily trips to Camp Townsend with fresh supplies of beef, bread, coffee and the occasionally luxury such as prunes. For the present, the "grub" is not up to what it was during the state encampments. The caterer was formerly paid $1 a day for each man's mess. Now the caterer receives .55 cents, and the quality of the food has been proportionate. The food was fairly good, still there was much grumbling after each mess. But then, there will always be grumblers and they get little sympathy in Camp Townsend, except from others like them.

Taps were sounded at 10 o'clock and an hour later Camp Townsend was in darkness. Thus ended the first day of camp.

More updates to follow.....

Camp Townsend Photos

All the following photos are the property of the George Eastman House and are part of their Still Photograph Archive. Due to copy law rights, I'm not allowed to post their photos on my site without paying a fee for each photo used. Well, this site is non-profit and is a labor of love, so I can't afford to have them posted on the site. But there is no law not allowing me to add a link to their site. So you'll have to bounce back and forth from my site to theirs to view the photos. Sorry for the inconvenience, but its their rules. Anyhow, the photos were all taken by photographer William M. Vander Weyde, during the spring of 1898..

Ball game most likely the 8th / 12th camps due to no flooring in the tents.

Marching to Mess #1    

Marching to Mess #2 this photo was most likely taken shortly after the men arrived, notice how many men are wearing civilian clothing.

Washing up most likely a member of the 9th as they were the only regiment to have wooden floors in Camp Townsend.

Reading the news and writing letters home. The other soldier is polishing his belt while the one in the back of the tent is holding a whisk broom. Again all these men are most likely from the 9th.

First Battery the same battery that welcome the men of the 8th, 9th and 12th, with a 21 gun salute, to Camp Townsend.

Another photo of the First Battery.

Laundry day members of the 9th doing the wash.

Spit clean, not sure what to make of this photo. The man standing has no rank markings on his uniform. The man cleaning the shoes might be a officers aide, not sure? Anyone have an idea on this one??

Medics attending to a injured recruit.

Camp Townsend today

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