Camp Wikoff
STATE OF THE UNION, 1898
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It seems to me that the two most striking features developed by this war are the heroism of our line and the sacrifice and devotion to duty of trained women nurses in our hospitals. — American Red Cross Agent, Howard Townsend / Report page 530 – 537.
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Gen. Joseph Wheeler, West Point 1858, who rose to the rank of General in the Confederacy and the U.S. Army, came to personify the re-unification of the country, following the Civil War.
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“You have come home after two months of severe campaigning. which has embraced assault, siege and battle — so brilliant in achievement, so far-reaching in results as to earn the unstinted praise of all your countrymen.” — President McKinley addresses the soldiers of the Fifth Army Corps, Montauk, September 3, 1898.
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The people of the United States should ever be proud of its soldiers, who, co-operating with its sailors, in less than three months, put an end to Spanish colonial power, enfranchised oppressed people, and taught the world at large the strength and nobility of a great republic.
— Report of the War Commission, February 12, 1899.
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Chicago Tribune Masthead, 1898.
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CAMP WIKOFF Newsletter
February 25, 2026
ISSUE NUMBER ONE
The intent of this newsletter is to inform the general public about Camp Wikoff, the great military encampment established in Montauk, New York, 1898, for the rest & recuperation of Gen. William Shafter’s Fifth Army Corps in preparation for the fall campaign against Havana, Cuba, in the Spanish-American War.
The objective of this effort is to establish Camp Wikoff National Military Park as an enduring tribute to the civilian & military volunteers of 1898.
As America’s tenth national military park, Camp Wikoff would mark the historic transition from mainland wars to wars fought overseas on foreign soil.
Comments & suggestions welcome.
Jeff Heatley, Editor
With appreciation for Brian Tadler’s review & advice.
Note: to receive Newsletter updates, please send request to info@aaqeastend.com
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Camp Wikoff National Military Park
Proposal for your consideration.
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Schedule of Annual Events
Note: Proposal takes into account the summer season of tourism in Montauk,
with annual events only scheduled in April, October & November.
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MONTH OF APRIL
Navy Vessel anchors in Fort Pond Bay, offering tours.
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MONTH OF APRIL
Montauk Lectures
Lectures relating to Camp Wikoff: Quarantine, Gen. Shafter’s Fifth Army Corps, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, President William McKinley, General Joseph Wheeler and daughter Nurse Laurie, Hospitals at Camp Wikoff, Army Beef Scandal of 1898, American Red Cross, Black Jack Pershing & the Buffalo Soldiers, Captain Ambrose Higgins & The Signal Corps, Col. John Jacob Astor, Lieut. William Tiffany ….
All lectures available via Zoom.
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MONTH OF MAY
Lectures Beyond Montauk
Lectures relating to the Spanish American War : Suffolk, Nassau Counties / NYC & Beyond: Spanish Empire; Spanish-American War; Foreign Relations; Cuba — Then & Now; United States Cavalry; American Red Cross; Warfare & Technology; Round Robins; LIRR, 1898; New York State Politics; Publishers Hearst & Pulitzer / Yellow Journalism; ‘Generation 98’; Sagamore Hill….
All lectures available via Zoom.
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OCTOBER / Third Weekend
Re-enactments
Re-enactments w/ Re-enactors delivering speeches by President McKinley, General Joseph Wheeler, and Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Additional re-enactors: Gen. William Shafter, Sec. of War Alger, Lieut. John Joseph Pershing, Ellen Walworth, Annie Wheeler. Army Band. Demonstrations — Bugle Calls, Wigwagging, Telegraphy, with Army Wagon rides to Montauk Point Lighthouse. Army Band w/ 1898 Music.
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NOVEMBER / Third Sunday
HOMECOMING
Tribute to Military & Civilian Volunteers, 1898
On the Beach at Fort Pond Bay
BUGLE CALL: REVEILLE
The Military & Historic Importance of Camp Wikoff / Speech.
Tribute to Military & Civilian Volunteers, 1898, with reading of names –transports and regiments — that arrived in August & September, as well as the names of the 340+ soldiers who died at Camp Wikoff and those who were buried at sea during the 2,000-mile, seven-day voyage from Santiago de Cuba.
HOME! SWEET HOME!
Singing of John Howard Payne’s ‘Home! Sweet Home!’
— the most popular song on board the returning transports.
BUGLE CALL: TAPS
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Fort Pond Bay at approx location of the Iron Pier.
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Overlay Park Components
Select State, County & Town Parks
Monuments – Signage – Dedicated Benches – Markers
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OVERLAY PARK CONCEPT: because Montauk has been developed over the 128 years since Camp Wikoff, lands that were part of encampment and are now Town, County & State parklands, would add signage, monuments & dedicated benches. Other sites, since developed, would add signage / markers.
Fort Pond Bay Beach / East Hampton Town Beach — where troops landed / Victory Monument — Off season use. Note: America’s first veterans of a war fought overseas on foreign soil returned home at Fort Pond Bay, Montauk. Re-Construction: Iron Pier where transports docked; Fifth Army Corps Memorial Walkway between Fort Pond Bay and Montauk Station.
Fort Pond Bay: The Bay itself as a port for visiting Navy vessels.
Re-construction of the Iron Pier, originally built by the Long Island Railroad.
Fort Pond Bay Vicinity: Construction of Spanish-American War Museum
Shadmoor State Park — where Lieut, Pershing & the Buffalo Soldiers camped. Monuments to the VFW & Pershing / Buffalo Soldiers. Note that the national VFW organization traces its deepest organizational roots to Camp Wikoff, celebrating its centennial in 1998.
Third House / Montauk County Park — Monument to Roosevelt & the Rough Riders. Col. Roosevelt stayed at Third House on August 18th & 19th, 1898.
Re-construction of Barn near Third House for a Rough Rider Museum.
Montauk Point State Park — Monument to the 60+ soldiers who died on board ship & were buried at sea.
Montauk Village Green — Site of President William McKinley’s Address welcoming the Fifth Army Corps home. Monument to President McKinley, who welcomed home the victorious troops.
Possible Site opposite Ditch Plains Road (Rita’s Stables site): Monument to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders — where Col. Roosevelt delivered the first Bully Pulpit sermon and bid Farewell to the Rough Riders.
Ditch Plains — Family Monument to Gen. Joseph Wheeler & his daughter Laurie, a Red Cross nurse, and Sons, Thomas & Joseph, who served as aides.
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In Addition / Throughout the Year
Self-Guided Historic Camp Wikoff Bike / Hike / Run / Ocean Swim / Horseback Riding Tour of 9 Historic Sites.
Army Officer Platform Tent Camping at Third House / Montauk County Park, with select Veterans only weekends.
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National Military Parks / Listed Chronologically by year established:
Chickamauga & Chattanooga, 1890
Shiloh, 1894
Gettysburg, 1895
Vicksburg, 1899
Guilford Courthouse, 1917
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania, 1927
Kings Mountain, 1931
Pea Ridge, 1956
Horseshoe Bend, 1959
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Camp Wikoff / Spanish American War NMP, 2026?
BULLY!
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For further information, please visit these portfolios:
Spanish-American War, 1898 / Timeline — Nation State to International Power …. link
Camp Wikoff: U.S. Fifth Army Corps / Montauk, 1898 / Illustrated …. link
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt & The Rough Riders …. link
Camp Wikoff Historic Bike Tour …. link
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Echoing Through New York City Streets & Avenues
EXTRA! EXTRA!
QUARANTINE IN MONTAUK!!!
YELLOW FEVER! MALARIA! TYPHOID!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
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Available on Amazon …. BULLY! link
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For upcoming Camp Wikoff Newsletters & Updates — and / or to comment — please email request to info@aaqeastend.com
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