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University of Michigan William L. Clements Library

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Correspondence and Documents: Largely Cuba, January 18, 1898-May 2, 1907.

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Containers:
Box 2, Folders 6-14
Abstract:
Consists of American soldiers' and sailors' letters sent from the Spanish-American War front--particularly the areas of Guantánamo Bay and Santiago during the June-July siege and battle--to friends and relatives in the States, as well as a despatch from Maj.-Gen. Nelson Miles to Maj.-Gen. James Wade to initiate the land invasion of Cuba in May. The enlisted soldiers and sailors often have vivid descriptions of siege and guerrilla warfare. Also includes notes sent (with American approval) through the blockade by the British consul in Cuba, Frederick Ramsden, who empathized with the Cuban rebels. Many soldiers make note of the yellow fever and typhoid outbreaks during the latter stages of the war in Santiago. Additional soldiers and sailors wrote home in the aftermath of the Spanish surrender at Santiago. One letter to Atlantic City evinces that the author reflects on his own patriotism due largely to his disgust for Cubans who, in the author's opinion, did not deserve American support. Much reference is made in the letters to the yellow fever outbreak that reached American troops in the aftermath of the Battle of Santiago, which prompted a push to evacuate U.S. troops from Cuba as early as August. Also included are a friendly telegraph from Lt. Richmond Hobson to Adm. Pascual Cervera, a prisoner-of-war in Annapolis; a letter from Cmdr. A.P. Niblack of the USS Topeka to an admiral in the Austro-Hungarian Navy about the circumstances of the Cuba blockade; and several telegraphs and despatches concerning the treatment and movement of Spanish war prisoners. Lastly, this group of materials includes correspondences, despatches, and orders given in the context of the American occupation of Cuba after 1898, beginning with the raising of the U.S. flag in early January 1899. Occupying soldiers found that they were able to cultivate good relations with many Cubans as the Spaniards were leaving, and the supply issues of the previous year had mostly been resolved. However, reference is made to delays in setting up the Cuban postage system. After a delay, Máximo Gómez paraded into Matanzas, then Cienfuegos. The U.S. army continued to struggle with issues of diseases, as well as logistical issues accessing the interior. Many of the letters (from various soldiers) are addressed to a barrister or lawyer Richard Fishman in St. Louis. Some of the letters are on Spanish military stationery taken when the Spanish military evacuated. Two letters from 1907 advise suppression of anti-American activities on the island as well as the revision of Cuban laws. Rough Riders, military strategy and operations, guerrilla warfare, Monroe Doctrine, yellow fever, typhoid, Anglo-Spanish relations, Anglo-American relations, U.S.-Cuba relations, U.S. occupation of Cuba, Máximo Gómez, parades, USS Maine. Partial geographical list: Havana/Habana (including Camp Columbia, Cuba), Gibara (Cuba), Cienfuegos (Cuba), Guanajay (Cuba), Matanzas (Cuba), Bayamo (Cuba), Santiago (Cuba), Guantánamo, San Juan (Cuba), Siboney (Cuba), "Passo Cabalo" (Passacaballos?) (Cuba), Elizabeth City (Va.), Richmond (Va.), Chicago (Ill.), Key West, Tampa (Fla.), Steubenville (Ohio), Toledo (Ohio), Medway (Mass.), Washington (D.C.), London (England), Traverse City (Mich.), Wyandotte (Mich.), Shepherd (Mich.), Cedar Rapids, Atlantic City (NJ), Saratoga Springs (N.Y.), Troy (N.Y.), Lyons (N.Y.), Orange (N.J.), Annapolis (Md.), Wilmington (Del.), East Liverpool (Ohio), Adams (Mass.), West Point (N.Y.), Kansas City (Mo.), Brookfield (Mo.), St. Louis (Mo.), Toledo (Iowa), Reinbeck (Iowa), Jennings (La.).
Extent:
82 items

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