13th Minnesota Infantry Regiment Scrapbook

The 13th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry was a regiment formed to fight during the Spanish-American War. It was one of three Minnesota regiments mustered during the war (along with the 12th and the 14th), though it was the only Minnesota regiment to be deployed overseas and see combat during the war. The regiment consisted of 50 officers and 979 enlisted men.

The 13th Minnesota left Camp Ramsey, St. Paul, on May 16, 1898. It traveled by train to San Francisco for further training at Camp Merrit. On June 26, they set sail abroad the City of Para bound for Manila, landing on August 7.

On August 13, the regiment took part in the Battle of Manila, sustaining the heaviest casualties of any unit in the attack and helping American forces capture the city. Unbeknownst to the soldiers involved, a peace treaty had been signed between Spain and the United States the day prior. After the battle, the 13th served as a police unit in Manila, repelling an attack by Filipino revolutionary troops in February 1899. They would later campaign across the island of Luzon from March through May of 1899.

On August 10, the unit boarded the Sheridan for the journey home. In all, 74 men were wounded and 44 were killed during the regiment's time in service. On October 12, the unit arrived home to a reception at the Minnesota State Capital attended by thousands of well-wishers, family members, and even President William McKinley along with members of his cabinet.