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Cochran, Willard M.(Spanish-American War correspondence)
2020.060.w.r  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Arrangement
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Preferred Citation
  • Content Description
  • Conditions Governing Use

  • Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
    Title: Willard M. Cochran Spanish-American War correspondence
    source: Kelly, Joel Thomas
    Creator: Cochran, Willard Maxson, Private, 1875-1941
    Identifier/Call Number: 2020.060.w.r
    Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (3 folders)
    Date (inclusive): 1898 May 7 - September 10
    Abstract: This collection contains approximately 32 letters written by Pvt. Willard M. Cochran, USA to his wife, Sarah E. Cochran and children during the Spanish-American War.
    Language of Material: English .
    Container: Spanish American War 1
    Container: 6-8
    Container: 1-3

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open for research.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Gift of Joel Thomas Kelly and Family, donated by Joel T. Kelly.

    Arrangement

    This collection is arranged chronologically by material type.

    Biographical / Historical

    Private Willard Maxson Cochran, United States Army (1875 - 1941) was born in Sun City, Kansas to Willard O. Cochran and Nancy J. Cochran. Willard M. Cochran married Sarah Elzie Cochran, and together raised nine children.
    Cochran served with Group G of the First United States Army Volunteers Cavalry during the Spanish-American War. According to the donor, after serving during the Spanish-American War, Cochran "ultimately became a church pastor."

    Preferred Citation

    [Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Willard M. Cochran Spanish-American War correspondence (2020.060.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
    For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

    Content Description

    This collection contains approximately 32 letters written by Pvt. Willard M. Cochran, USA to his wife, Sarah E. Cochran and children during the Spanish-American War. This collection also includes Cochran's service discharge record, one book entitled Dear Wife and Babies: A Rough Rider's Family Legacy by Joel T. Kelly, and one USB flash drive that contains the following: one photograph of Pvt. Cochran, JPEG, and one PDF/A transcription of a Cochran correspondence transcribed by the donor.
    He trained and served with Group G of the First US Volunteer Calvary in Cuba between May to September 1898. According to the donor, "the letters come from every stop of the Rough Rider's journey," including San Antonio, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Cuba; and Montauk, New York.
    According to Pvt. Cochran's service discharge record, he participated in the "expedition against Santiago, Battle of the Guasimas . . ., Battle of Santiago [de Cuba] . . ., and engaged until surrender of Santiago July 17, 1898."
    The first letter in this collection was written May 7, 1898, in which Cochran informed his wife that he joined the "cowboy regiment company." He was referring to the 1st US Volunteer Calvary, which was eventually nicknamed the Rough Riders.
    On May 23, 1898 Cochran wrote to his family from San Antonio, Texas about the mounting pressure of being a focal point of interest as newspapers continued to highlight their activities. He added that Theodore "Roosevelt [said] we are the most noted regiment in the United States and that more is expected of us." He stated that "they expect to[o] much from us, more than we can ever accomplish, but all we want is a chance at" the Spanish forces.
    Cochran wrote two letters from "near Santiago", most likely Cuba, during the month of June 1898. In his June 3, 1898 letter he described his uniform and supplies and noted that he was waiting for his horse to arrive. He further explained that cannons were being installed "up to the po[i]nt just as far as possible and when all the cannons arrive they will lay siege to [Santiago]." He wrote again June 28, 1898 to update his wife about his well-being and speculated about the success of their siege after noting that the Spanish forces could not "get any more food from anywhere for they are completely surrounded by land [and] sea [and] they can't possibly hold out much longer."
    Cochran shared news in his July 29, 1898 letter that he would be returning to the US and guessed they would arrive on Long Island, NY. He also shared rumors that Spain was seeking peace but admitted that he was not sure how valid these stories were at the time. By August 20, 1898 he wrote from Montauk station in Long Island, NY to let his wife know of his arrival back to the US. He added that "we have our horses again but I am not very glad to see them for we haven't a bit of use for them [and] they are a great source of trouble."

    Conditions Governing Use

    There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Spanish-American War, 1898
    Cuba -- History -- Societies.
    Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.
    Kelly, Joel Thomas