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Horace Kephart to Missouri Sharpshooters, June 7, 1898

  • wcu_kephart-2174.jpg
  • In this letter of June 7, 1898, Horace Kephart writes the members of Company A, Missouri Sharpshooters to express his disappointment that the War Department will not allow independent American sharpshooters to be enlisted in the Spanish-American War as Mr. Cummings’ bill had provided for.
  • St. Louis, Mo., June 7, 1898 To the members of Co. A. Missouri Sharpshooters, Comrades,- The second call for volunteers makes no place for our sharpshooters. We cannot enlist as Missouri troops because many of our men are from other states. We had hoped that room would be made for us by the bill introduced in the House by Congressman Cummings of New York, which provided for the enlistment of one or more regiments of independent American sharpshooters chosen from the nation at large. But we have just received word from Mr. Cummings to the effect that his bill will probably fail to be reported, owing to opposition from the War Department, Under the circumstances we can only go on drilling and perfecting our organization, and wait for a more favorable opportunity. It may be that the Government will yet appreciate the value of a body of expert riflemen, and accept their services. In any case, we have done our duty. Respectfully, Horace Kephart Chairman, Ex. Comm.