The 22nd New York Volunteer Infantry served to defend the New York coast during the war. The unit never left New York state.
The Unit History:
The 22nd New York was formed after President McKinley's first call for troops was issued on April 23, 1898. The unit never left New York state during the war. The unit rendezvoused at Fort Slocum, New York where it also spent the majority of its time. The unit was mustered into service on May 24, 1898 at Hempstead, New York. At the time of mustering in, the unit consisted of forty-nine officers and 960 enlisted men.
During late April and May, 1898, the U.S.'s coastline was considered to be the front line of the war. It was thought that Admiral Cervera's Spanish naval squadron, which was known to be loose in the Atlantic, could attack some of the U.S. coastal cities. The fear turned to relief when Cervera's squadron was located and blockaded in the harbor at Santiago, Cuba. The squadron was subsequently destroyed at the Naval Battle of Santiago. The fighting ended with the August 12 armistice, though the war did not officially end until December 10, 1898 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
Once the Spanish squadron was located, the need for coastal defense decreased, and with the actual fighting ended, units such as the 22nd New York could be disbanded before the end of the war. The 22nd New York was mustered out of service on November 23, 1898 at Fort Slocum. At the time of mustering out, the unit consisted of forty-nine officers and 1,149 enlisted men.
During its term of service, two of its enlisted men drowned, and
twenty-three enlisted men deserted. In addition, eighteen enlisted men
were discharged for reasons of disability.
Clerk of Joint Comittee on Printing, The Abridgement of Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress, (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1899). Vol. 3, pp. 196, 493, 494.
Statistical Exhibit of Strength of Volunteer Forces Called into Service During the War with Spain; with Losses from All Causes. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1899).
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