During the spring of 1898, Carl Sandburg read the newspapers to keep abreast of the events in Cuba and Puerto Rico. The islands had been the possessions of Spain for several hundred years. The Spanish government put thousands of Cubans in concentration camps because the people were attempting to overthrow the oppressive government. Brutality and starvation as well as tropical diseases had killed many of the prisoners.

After the sinking of the United States battleship Maine on February 15th in Havana harbor, the newspapers carried stories about the loss of the ship as well as the camps on the island. Public concern was fed by the continuous flow of atrocities being reported in the papers. The Hearst and Pulitzer newspaper chains were particularly strident in their demands for war. Many residents of the Midwest and western states were in favor of invading Cuba to force the Spanish government to leave.

President William McKinley had been against going to war. Finally, on April 24, 1898, the United States Congress declared war on Spain.

Two days later Carl Sandburg enlisted in Company C of the Sixth Infantry Regiment of Illinois. He volunteered for two years’ service. There were 84 men in the company which traveled by train to Springfield. A huge crowd of Galesburgers was at the railroad depot to send the boys off with cheers and tears.

The men were quartered in one of the livestock buildings on the Illinois State Fairgrounds during May and June. They had physical examinations, learned to handle rifles, drill in formation and receive their uniforms.

Like other parts of the mismanaged war, the new soldiers were required to wear uniforms made of heavy wool. They were similar to those worn by Civil War veterans. This war was to be conducted on a tropical island.

There were students from Knox and Lombard Colleges in the unit as well as local farm boys. A number had relatives who had served in the Civil War. Their reasons for joining the army were varied: curiosity, a thirst for adventure, a desire to test themselves, love of country and to get away from a monotonous life. Or, perhaps, a combination of several of them.

On July 17th the company arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Santiago had already been taken by U.S. troops. A week or so later, they landed on the south coast of Puerto Rico. The men of Company C waded ashore with their rifles over their heads. They saw only poor natives who were happy to see the men. Company C didn’t witness much fighting, but they had to deal with mosquitoes, hot and humid weather, heavy clothes, poor food, heat stroke, torrential rain and lice.

By September 21st the boys were back in Galesburg, being honored as heroes. Many of them had lost weight and suffered a bout of malaria. The people of Galesburg honored Company C with banquets and patriotic speeches.

Martin Sandburg asked his brother what he learned from the experience. Carl responded “I learnt more than I can use.”