Research


Administrative History

The Spanish-American War was waged between Spain and the United States in the spring and summer of 1898. The major consequences of the defeat of Spain were the loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippine Islands, and the Mariana Islands. American victory made the United States a colonial power with political interests in Far Eastern affairs. The United States also annexed the Republic of Hawaii as a territory before the peace treaty was signed.

The governor, designated by all New York constitutions as commander-in-chief of the state's armed forces, was authorized to appoint an adjutant general by constitutions of 1821 and 1846 to supervise the militia and all military establishments of the state. In 1862 (Chapter 477) the organized militia was officially designated as the National Guard of the State of New York.

Additional information relating to the role and activities of the New York State National Guard in the Spanish American War can be found in The Annual Report of Adjutant General of the State of New York For The Year 1898, Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Company, Albany, 1899 (available at the New York State Library).