Florida and the Spanish-American War of 1898

Documents

Colonel C.P. Lovell to Governor Bloxham

From: Correspondence of Governor William D. Bloxham (Series 578, Box 15, Folder 7)

This letter is from the official correspondence of Governor William D. Bloxham in his second term, from 1897-1901. Bloxham guided the state through the Spanish-American War, a conflict which called for an unusual degree of participation from Florida. During the war, more soldiers died from disease than from battle wounds.

In this letter to Governor Bloxham, Colonel C.P. Lovell argues against having the First Florida Regiment mustered out. He denies that the men were overworked to exhaustion. Col. Lovell also notes that the ladies in Jacksonville propose to raise funds for the hospital.

Lovell

Fernandina, Florida
August 21st 1898

To Hon. W.D. Bloxham
Governor of Florida
Tallahassee Fla.

Sir:

It is reported that an effort is being made to have the 1st Florida Regiment mustered out. This may be only a rumer [sic] but I thought best to write you regarding it.

I do not think it best to have this regiment mustered out for several reasons.

As you well know we have a large number of men from the country enlisted. The majority of these men are making more clear than they could at home and a large number have nothing at home to do owing to the depressed condition of the agricultural and orange growing industry. I have no doubt there are a few men with good positions who would like to be discharged and as these men generally have some influential

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friends they are always heard from while the men out of work have no one to state their wishes.

In regard to the sick. I think I have a plan which can be worked all right and if so there will be no more cause to complain along that line. I suppose you have noticed that I have asked for contributions. I have received already some very nice articles for the hospital and some of the ladies in Jacksonville propose to raise a fund for the same purpose. I have the promise of two private tents and if you can send me one or two more I will be well-equipped in that line. With this and several other improvements contemplated I think every thing will be satisfactory.

You may have noticed in one or two papers an article taken from the Fernandina paper saying that the regiment was overworked, that I had a 50 acre parade ground cleared up and the men were worked and drilled ten hours a day. While I don't propose to answer any such statements in the paper I would like to set you right if it should come to your notice

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in the first place the ground cleared was by actual measurement about five acres. This was divided into strips of 100x200 and each company given a strip. About ten day was taken by the companies to finish the clearing, and the men who worked were excused from drill, and for about four days I gave up drill entirely. So I hardly think an average of sixty five men per day for from seven to ten days to clear up a strip 100x200 were hurt. As we have never had but one case of exhaustion since leaving Tampa it has certainly not shown much bad effect. I can hardly imagine where the large statements came from but I have found by experience that you can hear any thing in a military camp. I am glad to say the sick are improving rapidly. We have about twelve cases left at the measles hospital and part of these will be turned out tomorrow. One of my own doctors is over looking after them all the time and I have a detail especially to look after them and see that they get proper things to eat. And thanks to the ladies of Ocala I have enough delicases [sic] for them for some time.

We expect now to leave for Huntsville tomorrow night or Tuesday morning. With assurance of regard I am,

Very respectfully,
C.P. Lovell, Col

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