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Regimental Muster Out of Thirty-ninth US Volunteers
The Thirty-ninth regiment United States volunteers recruited at Fort Crook in 1899 was mustered out near noon May 6 at the Presidio camp. It totaled 708 enlisted men and 27 officers, with Nebraskans comprising over 15 percent. Captain Wallace Taylor earned high praise for bravery and was twice recommended for brevet lieutenant colonel and once for a Medal of Honor. Congress will consider these at the next session. Nebraska men filled many commissioned slots, including Second Lieutenant Robert B. McConnell of Superior, Second Lieutenant Walter B. Barrett of Lincoln, and Second Lieutenant Packwood of Lincoln. Barrett previously rose from private to lieutenant in the First Nebraska and again in the Thirty-ninth. Among Nebraska deaths were Captain William F. Murphy of Council Bluffs, killed August 13, 1900, with survivors left at Fort Crook, and Lieutenant John E. due to temporary insanity in the Philippines, plus Lieutenant Frank M. Polk of Lincoln, who died of pneumonia at the Presidio hospital on April 30 after falling ill.