Cannon at Armory Square- Through the efforts of Hon. Daniel E Denny, Senator George F Hoar and Governor John L Bates, the cannon on display in front the the armory was secured.
It was cast in Seville, Spain, in 1798 and was surrendered by the Spaniards at Santiago, Cuba.
The tablet on the base reads..
“In commemoration of the soliders and sailors of 1898, this gun, surrendered at Satoiago, Cuba, is here erected by the citizens of Worcester under the auspices of Geroge H Ward Post 10, GAR., 1904″
WORCESTER Massachusetts IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
The companies of the state militia stationed in Worcester responded to a man when the call for troops came at the outbreak of the Spanish War. Those who did not go with their companies were rejected on account of physical disability (defective eyesight for the most part), or through family responsibilities.
Four Worcester companies took an active part in this war: Co. A, known as the City Guards; Co. C, Light Infantry; Co. H. Wellington Rifles; all of the 2nd Regiment; and Co. G. Emmet Guards, of the 9th Regiment.
These companies left for Framingham May 3rd and 4th, 1898, and were mustered into the United States service as volunteer troops.
The second regiment started for the front on May 11th and the Emmets on May 31st.
The Massachusetts troops were furnished with old-fashioned ammunition and every shot fired revealed the presence of the soldier firing. For that reason, the commanding general ordered the volunteers not to fire, except to prevent the escape of the garrisons in the block houses. Digging trenches and throwing up breastworks was the chief work, and this they were obliged to do without shovels or picks, using knives, plates and fingers.
On the 14th of June news came to the tired soldiers that Santiago had surrendered. They then prepared to return home. The three companies of the 2nd Regiment arrived in Worcester, August 27th, emaciated and malaria-stricken.
The 9th Regiment left Santiago for home Aug. 24th. When the ship arrived at Montauk Point it was met by the health officers, who declared that the regiment was in the worst condition of any returning. After remaining in camp at Montauk Point (Long Island) for a short time, they were allowed to return to their homes.
Lieut.-Col. Kellogg of the both U. S. Infantry said of the Emmet Guards, who were assigned to serve with his regiment of regulars: ” Massachusetts should be proud of such officers and men. I have never witnessed in my forty years’ service such coolness and indifference under fire.”
LIEUTENANT EDMUND N. BENCHLEY, U. S. A.
One of the first officers of the regular army to lose his life in the Spanish-American War was a Worcester boy, Lieutenant Edmund Nathaniel Benchley.
He was born in Worcester, May 3, 1876, and was educated in the public schools. After graduating from the English High School he received the appointment of cadet at West Point through Congressman Joseph H. Walker, and was graduated number thirty in the class of 1898.
His standing in his class entitled him to a choice of the infantry, cavalry or artillery branches. He chose the infantry because, as he said, it would give him opportunity for active service.
Owing to the scarcity of officers the class was graduated in April, nearly two months before the regular date. Benchley was at once commissioned second lieutenant, and assigned to the 6th Regiment Infantry, United States Army.
Lieutenant Benchley was given twenty days furlough. He came home, and was one of the reviewing party when the local companies of the 2nd and 9th Regiments left Worcester.
His regiment landed in Cuba in the latter part of June. The battle of San Juan took place on July 1st. Several companies of the regiment were separated from the advance portion of the troops while crossing the river under a severe artillery fire, and the colonel wished to have them brought forward at once.
Captain L. W. V. Kennon, Co. E, 6th Regiment Infantry, U. S. A., writing to his father, Mr. Charles H. Benchley, says:—
” He,” meaning the colonel, “called Lieutenant Benchley and directed him to recross the river and carry orders to the battalion and company commanders to bring their commands forward at once. He started on this important and dangerous duty, and gave the orders to some of the
officers indicated. He had just given it to one commander when he received a bullet through the heart which killed him instantly.
” His military career was brief, brave and glorious. He was cool and brave under one of the severest fires ever known, and he performed his duty nobly and gallantly. Had he lived, he would have been brevetted for gallantry in action.”
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