Spanish American War? Help?

Hello,

Purchased this little guy for my personal Spanish American War Collection.

Just wanted to make sure it was of those types of fellows.

They look almost like Rough Riders.

There is some writing on the back.

Not sure exactly what it says besides the date Aug. 1896

Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you a s always!

 

13th (something) Co (for Company) NGNY - National Guard New York?

I keep seeing "State Practice" for the first 2 words, but that doesn't seem right, and I haven't a clue about that very short word following.

 

I also thought it said "State Practice Day" but I don't know if that's correct lol

 

Oh! That would make sense! You know how NG units have weekend "training" once a month and plus 2 weeks once a year, right?

The 13th Infantry Regiment NGNY was disbanded before the Spanish-American War and those members who volunteered for duty then served as part of the 22nd. (According to a site providing historical info on the various units of NY Militia.) But they would still have been meeting up to '98. The thing is that the abbreviation between 13th and Co doesn't look like Inf for Infantry. Looks more like Sep to me and I have not a clue what that means in this context.

Plus there's a big difference between a Regiment and a Company.

 

Hmm. The guy on the left seems to be holding small binoculars.

 

Do you think it could be "Sup" for Supply?

 

Haha yes, a pair of binoculars. These gentleman look pretty grizzly!

I just found the photo great because of the way in which the bigger (weight) gentleman was sitting. All foot under his butt lol Smokin Cigars etc.

They look like a crew.

There is a long rifle off to the left standing against a board. And a sign above it. But unfortunately can't make out anything.

 

Did you notice the Victorian Photo Bomb?

The 3rd gentleman laughing in the back!

 

The word Supply would make sense for sure. The writer didn't seem to make the middle letter a u, though. And it could just be his writing. I don't really see an 8 in the date either, but I can't think of what else it might be.

"Victorian photo bomb!"

It's definitely a cool image for all the reasons you mentioned.

 

Apparently it's the 13th "Separate" Co., NY National Guard...

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Circa-1887-G...903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf5e66557

I agree with "State Practice Day", and think the date looks like Aug 12 '96.

 

What do you know!

 

Look what I found! From 1894.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nychauta/MILITARY/Civilwar/13th-sep.htm

 

You are incredible! Thank you so much!