Spanish-American War 1817-1858

The United States, believing Spain had been responsible for destroying the battleship USS Maine, declared war on Spain on April 20, 1898. A key goal of the United States in the Spanish-American War was to free Cuba from Spain's control. The war spread to the Philippines, another Spanish colony. The war, lasting only four months, ended on August 13, 1898 when Manilla surrendered.

Of the 274,000 men who fought in the war, 5,462 died, but only 379 of them in battle. 1,604 men were wounded. At the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20,000,000. Spain also ceded Puerto Rico and Guam and assumed liabilities for $400,000,000 in Cuban debt and abandoned all claims to the island.

These Spanish-America War records are available on microfilm at the National Archives and its regional centers, the LDS Family History Library and its Family History Centers, as well as archives and libraries: General Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Served During the War With Spain. Series M871 Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Served During the War With Spain From Florida. Series M1087 Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Served During the War With Spain From North Carolina. Series M240 Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Served During the War With Spain from Louisiana. Series M13

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