The War With Spain And Its Aftermath By MGen. William Andrews Pew

The War With Spain And Its Aftermath, An Address Delivered Before the Army and Navy Club of Boston, March 18, 1927,  By MGen. William Andrews Pew – Late Major U.S.A., Colonel U.S.V., and Major-General Retired Massachusetts National Guard.   Privately Printed, 1927.  Soft covers, 20 pages.

Probably one of the best “short and sweet” descriptions on several points relating to the Spanish American War, and other occurrences and problems that came afterwards.  This was a speech made in 1927, and much had occurred since the SAW and after World War I to formulate a good deal of information regarding;  Was The War Necessary? Gen. Pew uses first hand conversations with other generals and foreign ministers from several nations to formulate conclusions that the war was not necessary.  In the place of chapters, Pew uses Roman numerals to designate further thought, such as “II. Foreign Opinion.”

III. Memorabilia of the Spanish War, covers Sanitation, and the woeful problems at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga. General Pew goes into detail what the poor conditions at this site and how the 8th Mass Infantry dealt with them;  Reconciliation between the North and South; and Unpreparedness.

IV. The Last of the Volunteers.

V. Preparedness and Pacifism.

VI. Imperialism.

VII. The Philippine Problem.

VIII. Conclusion.   All of these sections are most informative,  I will use photography to show you some content.

One interesting note I had not heard before, I will share.  Pew was talking to a German about Americans entering WWI, The surprise by the Germans was the speed in which the Americans deployed.  The German also asked how the name “Doughboys” came about, and was answered with “Because they were kneaded in 1914 and raised in 1917.”  Obviously with this last story, and the fact that this speech was made in 1927, the Spanish American War’s effects went well into post WWI, and beyond.

A great insightful account, by a flag officer, and commander of a volunteer regiment during the Spanish American War.

William Andrews Pew, Jr. (1858-1933), from Salem, Mass.

Fine condition.  Also has a printed letter from the National Commandery of the Naval and Military Order of the SAW, from March of 1927.