Major Erasmus Corwin Gilbreath in the 11th Infantry

After the U.S. declared war on Spain, Major Erasmus Corwin Gilbreath’s regiment was pulled from Arizona and sent to mobilize for war in Tampa, Florida. Gilbreath spent a month in Florida before being deployed to Puerto Rico. While stationed in Florida, Gilbreath watched diseases such as Yellow Fever, Measles, and Malaria ravage the soldiers living in extremely close quarters. Diseases killed more U.S. soldiers during the Spanish American War than combat.