West Virginia Facts
Spanish American War (1898)
- At President Mckinley’s request, two regiments from West Virginia were called to duty and many mountaineers volunteered…In fact, more volunteered than could be taken. Governor George Atkinson decided to select the volunteers from the state’s National Guard. Roughly 3,000 West Virginians were picked.
- After the war ended with an American victory, many West Virginians continued to serve in the military in Cuba or the Philippines (which the US gained control of after the war).
