The United States declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, retroactive to April 21st. The federal government requested each state provide troops in proportion to their populations. Florida was to provide one infantry regiment consisting of twelve companies. All twenty companies of Florida State Troops volunteered and were sent to the staging area in Tampa where twelve companies were chosen and the rest sent home.
In July of 1898, the troops were sent to Fernandina; in August, they were transferred to Huntsville, Alabama. At Huntsville, eight companies were discharged and returned to Florida. By January 1899, the remaining four companies were discharged. A battalion of Florida troops, Company C, did serve in Cuba as a part of the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment. At least twenty-eight men died of disease while in service.
From the description of Spanish-American War muster rolls of Florida companies, 1898-1899. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413894
