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STATE OF THE UNION, 1898
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“The Thanks and Regard of a Grateful People…”
“You were in the line of battle….All have served their country in its hour of need, all will serve it so long as they be required, and all will forever have the thanks and regard of a grateful people.”
— President William McKinley Addresses the Fifth Army Corps — BULLY! page 245 / The Sun / September 3, 1898
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“That is the American Spirit”
“It gives me extreme pleasure to look around among you and see men of every occupation, men of means and men who work with their hands for their livelihood….You are men of widely different pursuits, yet you stand here side-by-side, you fought shoulder-to-shoulder. No man asked quarter for himself, and each went in to show that he was as good as his neighbor. That is the American spirit. You cannot imagine how proud I am of your friendship and regard.”
— Col. Theodore Roosevelt Addresses the Rough Riders — BULLY! pp 324 – 325/ The Sun / September 13, 1898
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“Their Names Well-Blazoned”
When the final chapter of Camp Wikoff comes to be written, the ministering angels from the Long Island Hamptons of both sexes should have their names well-blazoned. The devoted men and women from these Long Island villages, who have given their time, their means and their best efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the soldiers at Montauk Point deserve and should receive not only the thanks of the War Department, but the gratitude of the people of the United States.
— Editorial: ‘Ministering Angels’ — BULLY! page 354 / The Corrector (Sag Harbor), September 17, 1898
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“Bravest of the Brave”
The Episcopal service was read, the band played, ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’, the soldiers sang, ‘America’.Three volleys were then fired over the graves and the buglers sounded taps….There let them sleep the sleep of the patriotic brave….They died the heroes’ death as truly as those who fell in the trenches at Santiago, and some day their admiring and grateful countrymen will build on that noble headland a memorial shaft fit for those who in Freedom’s battle have won an undisputed title as “bravest of the brave.”
— Editorial: ‘A Beautiful Ceremony’ — BULLY! page 443 / John H. Hunt, Sag Harbor Express
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“Nobility of a Great Republic”
The people of the United States should ever be proud of its soldiers, who, together 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 the nobility of a great Republic.
— Report of the War Commission — BULLY! page 459 / The New York Times, February 12, 1899
Chicago Tribune Masthead, 1898.
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National Military Park Proposal
Newsletter # 4
June 15, 2026
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.
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Fort Pond Bay is the main component of the proposed Camp Wikoff National Military Park.
As the Homeport of America’s first veterans of a war fought overseas,
Fort Pond Bay represents all homeports and points of return of America’s veterans of foreign wars.
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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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Thank you to the following organizations for their letters of support:
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Buckey O’Neill Camp No. 175 – AZ / Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans
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Lester F. Quinn Memorial Association
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Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans / National Organization
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Note: This proposal, in modified form, received the support of Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan,
Dean of the United States Military Academy at West Point / March 4th, 2008.
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UPCOMING EVENTS 2026
Launch of Rough Riders Bourbon Daiquiri Beach Series at LIV / Rough Rider Bourbon Distillery, Baiting Hollow, on June 20th to commemorate Rough Riders landing at Daiquiri, Cuba. Roosevelt, Wheeler re-enactors and Spanish-American War descendents. See Flier below.
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Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens July 4th
Madora, North Dakota
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THIRD HOUSE / SUFFOLK250 / September 19th w/ Re-enactors: Roosevelt, Wheeler, Pershing — Celebrating 250th, as well as 125th Anniversary of Roosevelt becoming President (9.14.1901), Parade — from Montauk Station to Third House w/ carriages, horses & wagons — and historic mustering out of the Rough Riders (9.15.1898).
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CAMP WIKOFF NATIONAL MILITARY PARK Proposal
HOMECOMING
Tribute to Military & Civilian Volunteers / Montauk, 1898
OVERLAY PARK CONCEPT
Overlay Park consists of land that was part of Camp Wikoff that is now Town, County, State parkland.
Overlay would add signage, monuments, dedicated benches and markers to those sites.
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CW NATIONAL MILITARY PARK OVERLAY COMPONENTS
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Fort Pond Bay & Beach: re-construction of the Pier / Monument to the U.S. Fifth Army Corps
Fort Pond Bay to Montauk Station: construction of Camp Wikoff Memorial Walkway w/ Information Kiosk
Montauk Village Green: Monument to President William McKinley
Shadmoor State Park — Monument to Lieut. Black Jack Pershing & 10th Cavalry, aka Buffalo Soldiers
Ditch Plains — Monument to General Joseph Wheeler and his daughter, Laurie, a Camp Angel
Third House — Re-construction of the barn that stood near Third House in 1898 for Roosevelt’s Rough Riders Museum
Montauk Point State Park — Monument to the 60+ soldiers buried at sea.
Montauk Downs Golf Course / Location of the General Hospital — Monument to the American Red Cross / Sisters of Charity
Fort Hill Cemetery / Location of the Detention Hospital — Monument to the soldiers who died at Camp Wikoff
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CW NATIONAL MILITARY PARK ANNUAL EVENTS
MONTH OF APRIL: Navy Vessel anchors in Fort Pond Bay, Offering Tours
LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL: Lectures on Camp Wikoff | Half-Marathon | Ocean Beach Walk | Hike at Shadmoor State Park
MONTH OF MAY: Lectures on the Spanish-American War at Historical Societies, Libraries & Schools at Points West of Montauk
THIRD WEEKEND IN OCTOBER @ THIRD HOUSE: Re-Enactors & Demonstrations | Bike Tours of Historic Camp Wikoff | Hike to Montauk Light | Platform Tent Camping
THIRD WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER: HOMECOMING TRIBUTE TO MILITARY & CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS | Speech on Historic Significance of Camp Wikoff | Reading of Names of those who died at Camp Wikoff | Soloist Sings ‘Home! Sweet Home!’
YEAR ROUND: Self-Guided Bike / Hike / Run w/ Swim & Horseback Option — Tour
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