3rd Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1898)

The 3rd Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was a short-lived volunteer regiment mustered into United States service during the Spanish-American War in 1898. It was not deployed overseas and saw no combat.

The regiment was organized in Virginia in response to President William McKinley's call for volunteers. Recruiting commenced in May 1898, and the regiment was officially mustered into service during the late spring and early summer months. The regiment’s ranks were filled by men from across the state, drawn by patriotic fervor and the promise of military adventure.

The 3rd Virginia was primarily stationed at training camps within the United States, including locations within Virginia itself. Their time was spent drilling, training in basic infantry tactics, and preparing for potential deployment to Cuba or another theater of the war. However, the Spanish-American War was relatively short, lasting only from April to August of 1898.

With the cessation of hostilities and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the need for volunteer regiments like the 3rd Virginia diminished significantly. The regiment was mustered out of service in late 1898 and early 1899, its members returning to civilian life. While the regiment did not see active combat, its existence reflects the widespread mobilization efforts undertaken by the United States during the Spanish-American War. The experience gained during training, even without combat, may have been valuable for some of the men who later served in other capacities.