Spanish-American War--Island Campaigns--Cuba (1898)

Figure 1.--Here we see a cabinet card portrait of an American soldier on Cuba, presumably after the fighting. He is pictured with three Cuban girls, probably a posed situation. Snapshots were not yet common. Notice the rifle and double row amunition belt. This was the standard U.S. Army rifle at the time. the U.S. Magazine Rifle .30 caliber, Model 1896, better known as 'the Krag' after one of its Norwegian designers. It was outclassed by the Spanish Mausers. The poor performance led to the Springfield 1903 Rifle used in World War I.

The Spanish American War began only hours after the United states declared War. A U.S. naval squadron commanded by Admiral William T. Sampson began the blockade of Cuban ports. The U.S Army quickly followed with a hastily assembled invasion force. Despite several years of war talk, the United States Army was totally unprepared for war. Fortunately for the United States, Spain was even less prepared and did not have the industrial and economic resourrces to match the Americans. The American Atlantic Fleet sought out the Spanish Atlantic Fleet, but it sought refuge in Santiago Harbor. Army commanders decoded to invade Oriente Province around Santiago in the east rather than the better defende Havana areav in the West. The Cuban Mambi (revolutionary) Armny largely controlled the Oriente Province, except for Santiago area where the Spanish had strong defenses and concentrated their forces. The Mambi Army's control of Oriente would allow the Americans to easily gain a foothold on the island. An American military force commanded by General William R. Shafterat landed at Daiquirí and Siboney (June 22-24). The began building a base there. The rebels helped the Americans by protecting the U.S. landing in Daiquiri during the initial and most vulnerable phase. The American land invasion was a chaotic affair. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt resigned his Government post and formed a unit of voluntary calvalry (who were unable to bring their horses)--the Rough Riders. The Spanish forces on the island resisted vigorously. The Americans once ashore moved on Santiago de Cuba, a major city and military center. Linares' army headquarters was located there as well as Cervera's fleet. The American forces to reach the city had to penetrate Spanish defences built up in the in the San Juan Hills and a small town in El Caney located just east of Santiago. The port of Santiago and the Spanish fllt based there also became the main target of American naval operations. A naval force operation in the Caribbean area needed aotential shelter in case a hurrican developed. This was especially important as hurrican forcasting and tracking was not yet developed a and the War was fought during the summer hurricane season. The Navy selected Guantánamo Bay with its superb natural harbor as a refuge if needed. The Navy seized Guantanamo Bay (June 6). The Spanish did not want to come out of their Santiago defenses to oppose the Americans. The Spanish land defenses of Santiago were centered around Fort Canosa. and the major land battles were fought in the area surronding the fort. The first major engagement was the Battle of Las Guasimas (June 24). The Battle of El Caney and San Juan Hill was foughtv July 1). Here Col. Col. Roosevelt and the Rough Riders became national heros. After seizing the hills, the American advance halted as the Spanish made a stand at Canosa. The Americans and Cuban revolutionaries began a seige of the city. As the U.S. Army moved on Satigo, the Spanish decided to come out of the port dfenses. The Americans subsequently engaged and destroyed the Spanish Caribbean Squadron (Flota de Ultramar) (July 3). It was the most importahnt naval engagement of the Spanish-American War. The Spanish in Satiago surrended (July 16). U.S. General Nelson A. Miles decided not to permit Cuban Mambi troops to enter Santiago with the Americans and participate in the surrender ceremonies. He explained that he did not want possible clashes between the Cubans, possibly seeking revenge, and the Spanish. Cuban Mambi General Calixto García, commanding the Mambi forces in the Eastt, ordered his troops to hold their respective areas and resigned his command. He wrote a letter of protest to General Shafter. With their fleet destroyed, however, the Spanish saw a continuation of the War as futle. They had already lost the Philippines and Puerto Rico. And with no real hope of holding on to Cuba, Spain sued for peace (July 17).

Created: 9:49 AM 2/10/2016
Last updated: 9:49 AM 2/10/2016