What challenging conditions did the U.S. soldiers in Cuba face?
1 Answer
The US intervention in Cuba in 1898 (a key part of the wider Spanish-American War of that year) was successful, but the US Army was unready for local conditions and paid a higher price.
Explanation:
Other than in its campaigns on the Western Frontier, the US Army had little experience after the end of the Civil War in 1865, and was unready for the Spanish American War of 1898. In particular, logistics, tactics, and technology lagged behind developments in other nations.
The US Army in 1898 began with 25,000 regular troops but the growing enthusiasm for war with Spain brought in 220,000 volunteers and National Guardsmen for an Army that still had a lot of uniforms, gear, and weapons left over from the 1860s -- and generals.
The American talent for improvisation got 19,000 Army troops and about 1,000 Marines on shore in Cuba at Daiquiri. Their first disadvantages were their Civil War tactics and training, which earned a bloody nose in the first encounter with a Spanish rear-guard. The Americans also learned a quick respect for Spain's Mauser Rifles and artillery. These problems were again overcome by improvisation at some cost (with 1,200 casualties against 480 Spanish losses) in the capture of San Juan Hill.
Hard-tack biscuits and tinned bully beef were an inadequate diet, many of the uniforms and tentage did not stand up to tropical conditions, and logistics arrangements -- particularly for the wounded -- were sub-standard. Casualties from heat-stroke and disease also soared. Regardless, the US Army invested Santiago de Cuba while the real victory in the campaign was secured by the US Navy.
The same problems on Cuba were also evidenced on Puerto Rico and in the capture of the Philippines. Overall, American losses in the entire 1898 war came to 297 dead in combat (Army and Navy) and 1,645 wounded -- against 2,061 deaths from Malaria, Yellow Fever, and other diseases. Spanish losses were worse, largely due to three naval defeats,and many more deaths from disease.
The Americans learned, and never again sent their troops into battle so unready for local conditions.
