The Perils of Patriotism: The Spanish-American War of 1854

Cont.

Not soon after the regiments had arrived at Norfolk, did the ships start arriving as well. Among the ships amassing at Norfolk were the USS Vermont, USS Cumberland, USS Enterprise, USS Delaware, USS Columbus, USS Independence, and the USS Pennsylvania, the largest ship in the United States Navy. The operation that the soldiers of the Regular Army knew was inevitable, was on its way to fruition. Citizens of Norfolk flocked to the beaches to gaze in awe of the might of the US Navy they themselves had assumed but not seen.

David Conner, health on the decline, re-entered service with the US Navy, to advise the current Commodore of the Home Squadron, John T. Newton. Winfield Scott chafed in New York, as time was seemingly against him. The traditional mobilization that plagued the US Army was hampering operations, as he wished to invade Spanish holdings quickly and prepare to defend them. He knew better than to assume Cuba would be sparsely defended, though the tension with the Cubans was not a secret. Spain would keep its occupying force garrisoned in multiple forts throughout the Island, moving from the forts when his forces landed on Cuban shores.

The problem he faced was manpower. The US Regular Army had barely twenty-thousand men when war was declared on Spain. Volunteer regiments would eventually turn the war on the side of the United States in purely numerical advantage, though it would take time. Time Lt. Gen. Scott didn't want to waste. His hope was in the Regular Army and the men who brought them victory in the Mexican War. On April 23rd, his regiments boarded the combined fleet of the US Navy. Scott trusted the man whom he worked with to secure Veracruz in the final campaign of the Mexican War, though like Scott, he wasn't young. This would likely be, god willing, his last war, and it would certainly be Commodore Conner's last blockade of an enemy city.


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USS Pennsylvania en route to Cuba, 1854
The US Army's ride to Cuba was filled with apprehension. Though many of the officers had fought in the war with Mexico, many of the men they commanded knew little combat aside from skirmishes on the American plains. The 6th Infantry Regiment had been having a hard time with the Seminole tribes of Florida, and would most likely have perused open conflict with them had the war with Spain not become the most primary of concerns.

The high ranking officers of the multiple infantry regiments met with the man who was given de-facto leadership of military operations in Cuba, Bvt Brig. Gen. Newman S. Clarke of the 6th Infantry. Though in command due to rank, he had explicit orders from Winfield Scott, and it was up to him to take Havana. He had faith in his fellow officers. The commander of the 8th Infantry, Lt Col. John Garland was a competent man, and Maj. James Longstreet of the same regiment was by all regards a fine officer. Captain George Picket was a charismatic fellow, but other more brilliant military minds overshadowed the dashing infantry captain.

Clarke's own 6th had Lt. Col William Walker, who was commanding the regiment with Clarke's new leadership of the Regular Army. and 1st Lt. Winfield Scott Hancock. Others under his command included Cpt. William Hoffman, and 1st Lt. Lewis Armistead.


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Brevet Brigadier General Newman S. Clarke - De-facto Commander of the Regular Army

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Lt. Col William H.T. Walker, Commander of the 6th Infantry Regiment
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Lt. Col John Garland, Commander of the 8th Infantry Regiment
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Lr. Col Gabriel R. Paul, Commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment



In a weeks time, the Regular Army was in sight of Cuba, and encountered the Cuban Armada patrolling the coast. The two navies met in an incredible clash on the coast of Mantanzas. The combined naval power of the Home Squadron and ships-of-the-line Pennsylvania and Ohio, were devastating to the unassuming Spanish forces. The Pennsylvania managed to escape the battle unscathed, and the Ohio, and North Carolina took only minimal damage. The first battle of the Spanish-American War had been fought, as American sailors and infantry felt they had luck on their side.

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Brevet Brigadier General Newman S. Clarke - De-facto Commander of the Regular Army

Having quickly read up on this guy, he seems to have a rather talented career, especially what led to his promotion to brevet.

I am surprised you have kept him as a brevet though and not given him a full rank to Brigadier...
 
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Having quickly read up on this guy, he seems to have a rather talented career, especially what led to his promotion to brevet.

I am surprised you have kept him as a brevet though and not given him a full rank to Brigadier...

Given the quick POD, I didn't see a point where congress could issue a promotion like that. I could see Scott's going through because of his sheer importance, but Clarke's going somewhat unnoticed.

Don't worry though he'll get a promotion soon enough.
 
It's impossible for the US to get the Philippines at this time, too little naval power projection and the Spanish garrison there is too strong for the lift capacity the US can employ there when already busy at the Caribbean.
 
It's impossible for the US to get the Philippines at this time, too little naval power projection and the Spanish garrison there is too strong for the lift capacity the US can employ there when already busy at the Caribbean.

Actually the US has far greater lift capacity at this time then they did in the 1898 period. It was the Civil War that started the 19th Century decline of the US merchant marine.

Where I would worry if I were the US was in their ability to overcome the Spanish strongholds in Cuba. Not being worn down by facing many years of rebellion it is more likely the fortress commanders will be willing to hold tight and let disease do its grisly work which was the usual defence strategy for Cuba.
 

raharris1973

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Actually the US has far greater lift capacity at this time then they did in the 1898 period. It was the Civil War that started the 19th Century decline of the US merchant marine.

Excellent point, all too often forgotten. More lift was also by sail at the time, which was ironically, longer ranged and not dependent on coaling station infrastructure.
 
Fascinating! I doubt the USA would attack the Phillipines as we lacked an interest in more than trade in Asia at the time. There was no Mahanian faction pushing for acquisition of bases at the time; like Rodentrevolution said sailing ships don't require coal. Also, the west was not a closed frontier yet, so America was still looking westward on the North American continent, not overseas.

USA would have had trouble acquiring Cuba in 1854. I'm thinking a war of a few months or even 2 years would only have resulted in a peace treaty based around reparations. The two countries didn't have a raison'deterre to fight it out to the bitter end. Perhaps the war lasts long enough for malaria to convince Americans to avoid a 2nd war in Cuba in 1898?

Another thought, war fever tends to strike once a generation unless there is a particularly viscious war (such as American Revolution or ACW) that cures people for longer. War in 1846-48 makes the press for another war only 6 years later lighter.
 
Fascinating! I doubt the USA would attack the Phillipines as we lacked an interest in more than trade in Asia at the time. There was no Mahanian faction pushing for acquisition of bases at the time; like Rodentrevolution said sailing ships don't require coal. Also, the west was not a closed frontier yet, so America was still looking westward on the North American continent, not overseas.

USA would have had trouble acquiring Cuba in 1854. I'm thinking a war of a few months or even 2 years would only have resulted in a peace treaty based around reparations. The two countries didn't have a raison'deterre to fight it out to the bitter end. Perhaps the war lasts long enough for malaria to convince Americans to avoid a 2nd war in Cuba in 1898?

Another thought, war fever tends to strike once a generation unless there is a particularly viscious war (such as American Revolution or ACW) that cures people for longer. War in 1846-48 makes the press for another war only 6 years later lighter.
Wasn't the U.S. already taking an interest in the Pacific at this time, with interest in places as far away as Fiji, and Japan newly opened?
 
Wasn't the U.S. already taking an interest in the Pacific at this time, with interest in places as far away as Fiji, and Japan newly opened?

The USA sought trade opportunities of course. I don't know about USA interest in acquiring territory, except for the general focus of the country on Manifest Destiny, the slavery question, and the 'free soil' movement. 1854 sounds to early for a large scale Pacific expansion, but I simply don't know for sure. Maybe someone more knowledgable can comment on USA interest in acquiring bases in the Pacific in the 1850s?

If the USA wanted bases, hanging on to the Phillipines would require a sizable ground army and a willingness to fight an insurgency many thousands of miles from any US state. Keep in mind the US was already dealing with possible Amerindian uprisings much closer to home. Fiji would have required a much smaller commitment to take and hold than Phillipines. Even if the USA went to the Phillipines and won a decisive naval battle, why would we send an army there? At most we'd take Cavite and garrison it.

I agree with a previous post that Puerto Rico would make a much easier and more strategically valuable target.
 
The USA sought trade opportunities of course. I don't know about USA interest in acquiring territory, except for the general focus of the country on Manifest Destiny, the slavery question, and the 'free soil' movement. 1854 sounds to early for a large scale Pacific expansion, but I simply don't know for sure. Maybe someone more knowledgable can comment on USA interest in acquiring bases in the Pacific in the 1850s?

If the USA wanted bases, hanging on to the Phillipines would require a sizable ground army and a willingness to fight an insurgency many thousands of miles from any US state. Keep in mind the US was already dealing with possible Amerindian uprisings much closer to home. Fiji would have required a much smaller commitment to take and hold than Phillipines. Even if the USA went to the Phillipines and won a decisive naval battle, why would we send an army there? At most we'd take Cavite and garrison it.

I agree with a previous post that Puerto Rico would make a much easier and more strategically valuable target.
All very reasonable and plausible observations.
 

raharris1973

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I am eager to see the main story continue, regardless of what does or does not happen in the Pacific.

However, I would ask what the overall armament level and capability of Perry's squadron used in 1853 and 1854 as part of the opening of Japan was. It was a squadron designed to show the flag and protect commerce in Asia, and the expedition was equipped with a mix of armament and various gifts and gadgets designed to overawe the Japanese and demonstrate the advantages of trading with America, but I don't know if Perry's squadron was capable of competing with fleets that other western powers like the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russians or French would have had around the area at the time. Anybody know or care to venture a guess?
 
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