Dear Elsa and Group, I'm glad that I could actually dig up a nice reference for you regarding the Spanish-American War from the Niagara County perspective. It won't tell you anything about service records of individuals who fought in it but it might give you an overall picture of the times. THE WAR WITH SPAIN Transcribed from "Souvenir History of Niagara County, New York", The Pioneer Association of Niagara County, 1902, page 72 Again, in 1898, the United States was engaged in war-not now a war within its borders, as in 1861, but a war for the cause of humanity and civilization. We, as a stronger nation, offered to help a weaker one to break the chains that bound her to a tyrant. "Cuba must be free!" was the cry, and the North and the South joined hands to free her from Spanish rule. After our battleship "Maine" had been blown up in Havana harbor, the United States declared war on Spain, and summoned to her aid all her loyal sons. New York State responded quickly and sent out her men to help, and as all the counties of the State contributed, so Niagara did her share. The Forty-second Separate Company, of Niagara Falls, had 114 men attributed to Niagara County. This company became Company E, of the Third New York Infantry, and the Twenty-fifth Separate Company, of Tonawanda, became Company G of the same. The latter company contained men from Niagara County, but as they are all credited to Tonawanda [Vee's note: Erie County], the number of Niagara County men is hard to determine. These soldiers went South to Camp Alger, in Virginia, and were drilled, ready to go into service at any moment. However, they did not take part in any battles or skirmishes. If they had been called to the front they surely would have fought as bravely as their fathers before them, but it did not become necessary that they witness such scenes as occurred a third of a century ago. The war did not last long. The lives lost were few, and of these not one was from Niagara County. Elsa, as a PS to this message I have to admit why your query caught my attention. It was your reference to the Rushton family of Niagara Falls. I went to school with Jerry Rushton who lived nearby on Monteagle St. From the 1958 Niagara Falls City Directory that I have, it seems that his parents(?) were George A. and Mary E. Rushton and in the same household were Dorothy E. Rushton, a nurse, and Mary E.Rushton [George's wife?], a matron of the Order of Amaranth. Jerry would have been around 27 years old then but he doesn't show up in the NF directory of 1958. Is this your family? vee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elsa Vorwerk" <elsavorwerk@mindspring.com> To: <NYNIAGAR-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 9:49 PM Subject: Spanish-American War > Wondering if anyone knows of a source > of information about participating in the > Spanish-American War, in particular > > Co. E, 3rd NY Vol. > > This inscription appears on George Rushton's > grave marker in Oakwood Cemetery, and I > wonder if anyone knows of a source of military > service records for this unit. > > Any advice or suggestions will be gratefully > received. > > Elsa in Allegany County, Maryland > > > > ==== NYNIAGAR Mailing List ==== > Several genealogical and historical societies and libraries are > available to researchers in Niagara County. For available resources, > see <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyniagar/extras/nigensrc.htm>. >