"Camp Stephens, Jefferson Barracks, May, 1898, showing a section of Light Battery A, Missouri Volunteers, laying a 3-inch gun. St. Louis' own Battery A was first Missouri unit mustered into United States service for the Spanish-American War at Jefferson Barracks May 9, 1898; first to leave Missouri, May 16; first to sail overseas from Newport News July 28, and only Missouri volunteer unit to see active service in the Puerto Rican campaign. From the right, the young cannoneers have been identified by fellow veterans as Sgt. Thomas B. Williams, a heavily-bearded Gustave A. Buder holding the lanyard of the weapon, Ernest S. Tesson in rear, Frederick Chopin, Theodore Buder facing the camera over the gun sight, and Charles R. Crouch." "Shortly after this photo was made the battery was ordered to Chickamauga for embarkation. The unit was ready to bombard the Puerto Rican town of Guayama."