Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: Na June 1897, a họpụtara Hughes ka ọ bụrụ onye isi ndị agha nke abụọ nke ndị agha ma kenye ya na 17th Infantry Regiment. N'ọnwa Ọgọst, e kenyere ya na 4th Infantry Regiment ma ziga ya na Fort Sheridan, Illinois. N'oge Spanish-American War, Hughes jere ozi na 4th Infantry na Cuba, ma merụọ ya ahụ na July 1, 1898
Agha El Caney. Mgbe ọ lara ezumike nká, ọ laghachiri ọrụ na Fort Sheridan. Hughes natara Citation Star maka dike ya na El Caney. Mgbe ndị agha guzobere Silver Star na 1918, a gbanwere onyinye Hughes ka ọ bụrụ ihe nrite ọhụrụ.