Charles Rendell Mabey
The Utah Batteries: A History
A complete account of the muster-in, sea voyage, battles, skirmishes and barrack life of the Utah batteries, together with biographies of officers and muster-out rolls.
"The Utah Batteries: A History" by Charles R. Mabey is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides a complete account of the Utah Batteries' experiences during the Spanish-American War, focusing on their mustering, the sea voyage to the Philippines, encounters in battle, and subsequent barrack life, along with biographies of key officers. The opening of the book introduces the author's journey of documenting the history of the Utah Batteries, inspired by his experiences as a sergeant in Battery A. He shares the formation of the batteries, the recruitment process, and the initial excitement and camaraderie among the men as they prepared for their overseas deployment. There are vivid descriptions of the atmosphere, the diverse backgrounds of the recruits, and the rigorous training they underwent at Camp Kent. The narrative sets the stage for the engagements they would face in the Philippines, hinting at the combination of valor, hardship, and evolving camaraderie that would develop among the soldiers during their campaign.