CIRCA 1898 HANDWRITTEN DIARY SPANISH AMERICAN WAR LIEUT PENN VOLUNTTERS 100pp
Item History & Price
Up for auction is an interesting diary written by a Lieutenant. Oliver T. Rentschler, from Philadelphia. I believe he was a member of the Pennsylvania Volunteers.He also mentions attending Freemason meetings such as the Egyptian counsel. His entries begin Jan 1, 1898 with a final entry Dec 30, 1898.
The most interesting aspect of this diary is his account of the Spanish American War. He was not in combat, but was called up and ready to go at a moments notice with hi...s troops.They were on the move and set up camp outside of railroad station. They eventually arrive at Camp Hasting Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. Rentschler was involved in training guarding various installations, police duty, Regt. duty, setting up commissary etc
Background on the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry “They were raised in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The unit did not see service outside of the continental United States during the war.The unit was formed from the Fourteenth Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, with five of its eight companies coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Along with the remainder of the state's National Guard force, on April 27, 1898 the men of the 14th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard were ordered to report to Camp Hastings at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. Colonel Glenn. The unit began with 35 officers and 604 enlisted men. Eventually it would grow to include 687 enlisted men. “
Lt. Rentschler writes a day-to-day account of the war from the very beginning to the final return of the troops and celebrations. For instance he mentions pivotal moments such as the USS Maine explosion on the USS Maine that killed 260 men on board, the 1st shot of the war, President McKinley sending Cuban message to Congress, a fleet at Key West ordered to blockade Cuban ports and more. Written on the memorandum section is who and where to send his belongs in case of war and what he will have on his body or clothing.
I estimate approx 100 page all have an entry. Many entries are just one liners. On the other hand I counted 50 pages with paragraphs with at least five sentences of text. I photographed many of these pages plus one showing a typical page with one line. Overall an interesting look at the civilian front from a military perspective during the Spanish American War.
The diary measures 4 3/4" x 3" x 3/4" deep, done in a very soft leather with gold gilt page edges and gold gilt on the front "Standard Diary 534”. I provided a sample of diary entries below.There is much more to discover as always any questions feel free to ask
April 11, 1898
To Anderson Council # 600 Pres McKinley sent his Cuban message to Congress.
April 12, 1898
Anniversary of firing upon Fort Sumter to Grand Opera house to see “ shenendehowa “
April 13, 1898
To council learned that May had injured her arm by falling House of Reps passes Cuban War Resolution 322 to 19.
April 15, 1898
Called upon May saw her arm it is in bad shape got her a box of candy , entire regular army ordered to concentrate at Tampa, Mobile, New Orleans, Chickamauga, 20000 men.
April 21, 1898
Called upon May K is US Minister to Spain Gen, Woodford given his passports and the fleet at Key West ordered to blockade ports.
April 22, 1898US fleet at Key West starts for Cuba 5:42 am - 8:00 am Gunboat Nashville captured Spanish frigate steamer Buena Ventura 1st shot of the war fired by Patrick Mullin.
April 23, 1898
Letter from May wrote to May downtown in Eve stopped to see May but she was out Pres McKinly issued call for 125, 000 volunteers.
April 25, 1898 Called upon Mrs Rentschler for ? House of Reps declared war in 1 min 40 sec unanimous N G. V. Called out to Malbrage at Mr, Gutras on Thursday.
April 28, 1898
2nd Reg, left Philadelphia 7:30 am arrived at camp about 2:20 pm everything wet, muddy pitched camp about 2.5 miles from station 9 pm before last tent pitched Co H carried 60 men 3 officers.
May 1, 1898Wrote home to May on police duty battle of Manila.
May 2, 1898
Went on Regt guard Regt volunteered for U.S. service Co.H 14 Vols.
May 18, 1898
Struck tents at 3;30 pm& left Camp Hastings 5 pm train left 6;30 2nd Bat of the Regt was off for Pompton N.J. to guard Lafland & Raud power works.
May 21, 1898
Went with Co to guard Powder Works 3 relief posts 2&3 P.J Edward McCuster was accidentally knocked senseless by a rifle falling upon his head. 8 of us carried him over 2 miles to the hospital over rocky roads in a dark night is pleasant (?) Post 2 along board walk about 18” wide side of deep ravine rocky and full of snakes Post 3 about the same but windows.
May 24, 1898
Appointed a Quarter Master Sargent of Company wrote to mother and Marline
Cory Jones and myself visited Pequanck council 226 at Butler N.J. about 3 miles away. Attacked by dogs on my way back had bad time crossing trestle bridge. Dangerous work and a dark stormy night.
Sept 10, 1898
Col ( sea lion) Porter this was the hardest inspection we have undergone since being in service.
Sept 15, 1898The 2nd returned from the war landing at Broad & Washington Ave about 2pm paraded up Broad to Chestnut to 8th to Market to Broad to 1st Regt armory stacked ammo in armory and went to Independence Hall for supper then to our armory left armory for home May & Frank on a hunting expedition for me. Found me and went along with them sent telegram to Ma left camp about noon 30 days furlough.
The most interesting aspect of this diary is his account of the Spanish American War. He was not in combat, but was called up and ready to go at a moments notice with hi...s troops.They were on the move and set up camp outside of railroad station. They eventually arrive at Camp Hasting Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. Rentschler was involved in training guarding various installations, police duty, Regt. duty, setting up commissary etc
Background on the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry “They were raised in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The unit did not see service outside of the continental United States during the war.The unit was formed from the Fourteenth Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, with five of its eight companies coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Along with the remainder of the state's National Guard force, on April 27, 1898 the men of the 14th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard were ordered to report to Camp Hastings at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. Colonel Glenn. The unit began with 35 officers and 604 enlisted men. Eventually it would grow to include 687 enlisted men. “
Lt. Rentschler writes a day-to-day account of the war from the very beginning to the final return of the troops and celebrations. For instance he mentions pivotal moments such as the USS Maine explosion on the USS Maine that killed 260 men on board, the 1st shot of the war, President McKinley sending Cuban message to Congress, a fleet at Key West ordered to blockade Cuban ports and more. Written on the memorandum section is who and where to send his belongs in case of war and what he will have on his body or clothing.
I estimate approx 100 page all have an entry. Many entries are just one liners. On the other hand I counted 50 pages with paragraphs with at least five sentences of text. I photographed many of these pages plus one showing a typical page with one line. Overall an interesting look at the civilian front from a military perspective during the Spanish American War.
The diary measures 4 3/4" x 3" x 3/4" deep, done in a very soft leather with gold gilt page edges and gold gilt on the front "Standard Diary 534”. I provided a sample of diary entries below.There is much more to discover as always any questions feel free to ask
April 11, 1898
To Anderson Council # 600 Pres McKinley sent his Cuban message to Congress.
April 12, 1898
Anniversary of firing upon Fort Sumter to Grand Opera house to see “ shenendehowa “
April 13, 1898
To council learned that May had injured her arm by falling House of Reps passes Cuban War Resolution 322 to 19.
April 15, 1898
Called upon May saw her arm it is in bad shape got her a box of candy , entire regular army ordered to concentrate at Tampa, Mobile, New Orleans, Chickamauga, 20000 men.
April 21, 1898
Called upon May K is US Minister to Spain Gen, Woodford given his passports and the fleet at Key West ordered to blockade ports.
April 22, 1898US fleet at Key West starts for Cuba 5:42 am - 8:00 am Gunboat Nashville captured Spanish frigate steamer Buena Ventura 1st shot of the war fired by Patrick Mullin.
April 23, 1898
Letter from May wrote to May downtown in Eve stopped to see May but she was out Pres McKinly issued call for 125, 000 volunteers.
April 25, 1898 Called upon Mrs Rentschler for ? House of Reps declared war in 1 min 40 sec unanimous N G. V. Called out to Malbrage at Mr, Gutras on Thursday.
April 28, 1898
2nd Reg, left Philadelphia 7:30 am arrived at camp about 2:20 pm everything wet, muddy pitched camp about 2.5 miles from station 9 pm before last tent pitched Co H carried 60 men 3 officers.
May 1, 1898Wrote home to May on police duty battle of Manila.
May 2, 1898
Went on Regt guard Regt volunteered for U.S. service Co.H 14 Vols.
May 18, 1898
Struck tents at 3;30 pm& left Camp Hastings 5 pm train left 6;30 2nd Bat of the Regt was off for Pompton N.J. to guard Lafland & Raud power works.
May 21, 1898
Went with Co to guard Powder Works 3 relief posts 2&3 P.J Edward McCuster was accidentally knocked senseless by a rifle falling upon his head. 8 of us carried him over 2 miles to the hospital over rocky roads in a dark night is pleasant (?) Post 2 along board walk about 18” wide side of deep ravine rocky and full of snakes Post 3 about the same but windows.
May 24, 1898
Appointed a Quarter Master Sargent of Company wrote to mother and Marline
Cory Jones and myself visited Pequanck council 226 at Butler N.J. about 3 miles away. Attacked by dogs on my way back had bad time crossing trestle bridge. Dangerous work and a dark stormy night.
Sept 10, 1898
Col ( sea lion) Porter this was the hardest inspection we have undergone since being in service.
Sept 15, 1898The 2nd returned from the war landing at Broad & Washington Ave about 2pm paraded up Broad to Chestnut to 8th to Market to Broad to 1st Regt armory stacked ammo in armory and went to Independence Hall for supper then to our armory left armory for home May & Frank on a hunting expedition for me. Found me and went along with them sent telegram to Ma left camp about noon 30 days furlough.
