Stories from Bosque Bello

The lives they led…

Private Alonzo Johnson

The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere, as well as secured the position of the United States as a Pacific power. When the United States declared war on Spain in April 1898 , the Regular Army was caught shorthanded with only 28,000 men. As a result, President William McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers on April 23rd and for an additional 75,000 volunteers on May 25th, 1898.

Overall, black Americans strongly supported the anti-Spanish rebels in Cuba and American entry into the war. One reason was because over 30 black American sailors died on the USS Maine explosion in Havana harbor. Politicians and news outlets had blamed the sinking of the ship on the Spanish. One of the influential black leaders of that time, Booker T. Washington, argued that African Americans were ready to fight. Washington stated that war would be answered by "at least ten thousand loyal, brave, strong black men in the south who crave an opportunity to show their loyalty to our land and would gladly take this method of showing their gratitude for the lives laid down and the sacrifices made that Blacks might have their freedom and rights."

Tens of thousands of young men heeded these calls, and Alonzo Johnson, a Fernandina resident, was one of them. No doubt, Johnson, a young African-American, along with many black men his age, had noticed the abundance of recruitment posters and newspaper advertisements of the time, which stated similar text to the one which ran in Richmond, Virginia in July 1898: "Eighty-two colored volunteers wanted for the 10th U.S. Volunteer Infantry commanded by Colonel Jesse M. Lee. This regiment is to have colored lieutenants for each company and all non-commissioned are to be colored men." Johnson enlisted on July 16th, 1898 and served with Company L, 10th U.S. Volunteer Infantry (U.S.V.I.) during the short war. Soldiers of the 10th U.S.V.I. came primarily from Virginia and North Carolina, but also incorporated volunteer companies from Georgia, South Carolina, Washington, DC, and Jacksonville, Florida (Company L). The 10th was comprised of 44 officers and 964 enlisted men.

The soldiers of the Regular Army's four black regiments performed admirably in Cuba. Medals of Honor and numerous citations and decorations for bravery were awarded to soldiers in these units. The 10th U.S.V.I. however, did not deploy to Cuba and also did not attain the heroic status of the Regular Army's black regiments who participated in the fighting.

At one point, Johnson and the rest of the 10th transferred to Lexington, Kentucky, where they formed up with the 7th U.S.V.I. Since Spanish forces in Cuba had already surrendered by that time, it was thought that the 10th would eventually be shipped to the Philippines, another Spanish stronghold. Although black volunteer infantry units did deploy to the Philippines, the 10th was not one of them.

The 10 th , though, did experience discrimination, violence and extreme lack of equipment, military clothing, and food supplies during their limited U.S. assignments. Additionally, paychecks were consistently delayed, and many men were placed in overcrowded camps, where they contracted deadly diseases.

At an encampment near Lexington, an Army inspector reported the unit's exceptional morale: "I doubt whether another regiment in the volunteer service could show as many men present for duty.” He also stated that the unit’s marching and other soldier skills were excellent, but the men “were very poorly dressed.” Other comments included "men were in rags, while a number wore civilian trousers" and "men were showing through their shoes." The inspector blamed poor leadership for not taking care of the soldier's needs. Consequently, a number of the unit leadership were relieved of their responsibilities and discharged from service.

Disillusioned with military service and their treatment, many black volunteers most likely welcomed the mustering out of their units early in 1899. The 10th U.S.V.I. members were no different. Private Johnson was discharged on March 8th, 1899 and returned to his home in Fernandina. In 1922, Johnson applied for military pension benefits for his time in service during the Spanish-American conflict, which some have coined it the "splendid little war."

Alonzo Johnson died on November 16th, 1944.