Spanish American War Soldiers. Invoking the Monroe Doctrine the United States claimed to desire war with Spain in Cuba in order to rid the Western Hemisphere of a decaying imperial presence although the American. The war with Spain began in April 1898 when Major General William Shafter a former commander of the 24th Infantry led an expeditionary force of over 17000 men including nearly 3000 Black regulars into Cuba.
Of these men 90 died from malaria dysentery and other diseases. Most soldiers called into service for the Spanish-American War served with regiments raised by their state. On February 15th 1898 over 250 American sailors were killed when the battleship Maine blew up and sank in Havana harbor.
The Spanish-American War evoked much enthusiasm and patriotism across the nation as newspaper headlines and war hawks trumpeted Remember the Maine in an attempt to stir up popular support for the conflict.
When the United States declared war on Spain in 1898 the US. Emerged from the war a world power and Spain ironically experienced a cultural renaissance. Data varies but indicates that between 55000 and 60000 men died. The remaining 10 died during the battles or later as a consequence of their injuries.