War Relic Catalog 1898: Sword donated by Private Harley D. West, Co. K First Colorado Infantry. Served on island of Luzon, Philippine Island. Found during the Spanish-American War.
The First Volunteer Infantry of Colorado, alongside two troops of cavalry and one battery of artillery were called upon for the Spanish-American War. In total there were about sixteen hundred men. On May 1st 1898 the First Regiment of Colorado Infantry was mustered into the service of the United States. There were twelve companies in the First Regiment, each company represented a group of towns or a city. Companies A and C were enlisted mostly from Pueblo; Companies B, E, I and K from Denver; Companies F and L from Leadville; Company G from Cripple Creek; Company H from Boulder; and Company M from Colorado Springs. Company K was led by William A. Cornell, captain; William J. Vannice, first lieutenant; Ralph B. Lister, second lieutenant. The twelve companies consisted of 1,086 men.