Spanish American War forum

Deadeye Don · January 10, 2009, 07:31:56 AM

Does anyone know of an online forum specifically related to the Spanish American War?

Texas Lawdog · January 10, 2009, 07:44:57 AM

Yes DD there is such a forum. It deals mostly with genology related to the Spanish American War.

Deadeye Don · January 10, 2009, 07:56:26 AM

I was hoping to find one that deals with the military, accoutratments, arms, ammunition etc.

St. George · January 10, 2009, 10:30:45 AM

I had seen one, some years ago - but it dealt with how to cobble things together.

Once I saw that they advocated 'creating' your own Krag Carbine (every SAW type wants to be a Rough Rider - none want to portray an Infantryman), I closed out and never looked again.

The weaponry and accouterments have all been discussed in recent publications - the individual units - not so much.

In order to learn more about those, you need an Order of Battle and then you can start digging.

On the other hand - there are online forums on just about 'everything' - so keep looking, but change your search parameters.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Deadeye Don · January 10, 2009, 11:03:18 AM

I prefer to be one of the grunts.

Books OToole · January 10, 2009, 11:10:45 AM

Quote from: Deadeye Don on January 10, 2009, 11:03:18 AM
I prefer to be one of the grunts.

The Little War of Private Post, by Charles Johnson Post would be a good read for anyone portarying a infantryman. He was with the 71st New York and was an artist.

I will be doing an up-coming Reference Library revue in The Shootist.

Books

St. George · January 10, 2009, 01:16:38 PM

One helpful thing is that 'every' outfit that went to Cuba and the Philippines has a unit history - some even go so far down as the the Company level.

I have a number of them and continue to pick up more, when they're in good shape - (For some reason - the bindings on a lot of these are almost destroyed), and if the seller hasn't gotten delusions of grandeur.

'Your' state may be priced high locally - but quite low, elsewhere - so keep looking, since they'll tell of campaigns and camp life (to a degree) , there'll be muster rolls/rosters, and group photos (some identified) so they'll add to your overall knowledge.

There's still a lot of 'patriotic paper' from that era that's available reasonably.

What's difficult are the items of original individual clothing, since it seems to be of two types - cleaned, folded and stored away - and worn to death.

There 'were' mounds of original, un-issued gear - but a lot of that's dried up over time and while finds can be made - it's catch as catch can.

For the Volunteer units - look back to Indian War-issued equipment, with a modicum of later-issue appearing after that campaign was underway.

For Regulars - even though they got the newest equipment, there was still a lot of older-issue on the Quartermaster's shelves and since the Army had paid for it - the Army'd issue it.

Trapdoors are out there - late-issued Model 1884's aren't as popular as those associated more closely with the Indian Wars.

Krag rifles are around - in varying degrees of condition - those that the CMP has are awfully tired and don't warrant the asking price.

The .38 Colts are available - again, depending upon condition, as many were refinished after the SAW, the original finish not proving to be durable.

The 'Artillery Model' Colts are quite expensive - due in large part to some excellent references on military Colts and the subsequent rising of prices.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Deadeye Don · January 10, 2009, 01:43:32 PM

I have already picked up a very nice 1894, 38 colt army, martially marked, an 1892/1896 black holster, a blue Mills belt which you have seen St. George, an intact box of 45-70 ammo, and most recently a Springfield Trapdoor mostly made around 1887 along with a bayonet and scabbard. I was going to look for a Krag, but after doing some research I learned that Trapdoors were still the most commonly used weapon during the War especially by State Militias and volunteer groups. I saw some orginal uniform items on sale someplace on line that looked to be in great condition. They were likely those that St. George talks about as being "folded and stored away". Most of those items were over 1K.

Eagle Eyes Jefferson · January 13, 2009, 09:53:22 PM

Hey DD,
Try the "Splendid Little War Forum. They have info on the sp-am war, indian wars, punitive expedition, etc. there is a great section on sp-am war uniforms and equipment. Good luck, just type the name in and google it and you should find it.

Eagle Eyes Jefferson

Deadeye Don · January 14, 2009, 05:54:42 AM

Quote from: Eagle Eyes Jefferson on January 13, 2009, 09:53:22 PM
Hey DD,
Try the "Splendid Little War Forum. They have info on the sp-am war, indian wars, punitive expedition, etc. there is a great section on sp-am war uniforms and equipment. Good luck, just type the name in and google it and you should find it.

Eagle Eyes Jefferson

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much. Now all I have to do is figure out how where to enter the activation code I was sent. I clicked on the link and there is no activation page. Would you happen to have an email address of an admiinistrator I could contact?

Eagle Eyes Jefferson · January 14, 2009, 08:50:57 AM

DD,

I sent a pm to the administrator for you. In the meantime, click on the help button on the home page and then click getting started. After that loads click activation and it should get you to the correct page for the activation code to be put in. If not, just wait for the administrator to contact you. By the way, you are listed at the bottom of the home page as the newest member to join the forum. Glad to be of assistance. I enjoy that forum quite a bit myself. They are quite mature and I have never seen any ugly or aggressive/hostile remarks. Everybody just seems to get along!!!!! (I go as eej on that forum. Easier to type just three letters!!)

Eagle Eyes Jefferson

Deadeye Don · January 14, 2009, 09:46:21 AM

Thanks for your help EE. All I get when I start the Getting Started screen is a flash presentation. There is no place I can click for
placing my activation code. I shall wait for the administrator. It looks like a great forum looking from the outside ....in that is.

Eagle Eyes Jefferson · January 14, 2009, 10:14:45 AM

DD,

Sent ya another pm.

EEJ

Deadeye Don · January 14, 2009, 10:25:35 AM

EEJ. All done. Success! Thanks for your help. I need to look around there a bit.

Eagle Eyes Jefferson · January 14, 2009, 10:31:15 AM

No problem. You can spend several hours there without realizing it. Have fun!!!!

EEJ

litl rooster · January 15, 2009, 06:00:25 AM

Don't know if this will help or not

http://www.19th-century-us-history.com/uniforms_spanish-american-war_us.htm

Deadeye Don · January 15, 2009, 06:02:35 AM

Thanks Lil Rooster. I am familiar with UShist.com. In fact I will likely be ordering some things from them.

litl rooster · January 15, 2009, 07:20:16 AM

where did you get your blue mills belt?

Eagle Eyes Jefferson · January 15, 2009, 08:26:08 AM

Deadeye,
Check the reviews for us hist. on the sp-am forum. They aren't very good and they don't recommend them. They do however, recommend River Junction Trade Co., Quartermaster Depot, and Quartermaster Shop. As you know, mileage may vary. Hope this helps.

EEJ

River City John · January 15, 2009, 08:32:01 AM

http://www.aefsupply.com/span_am.htm
Here is another source. No personal experience with them.

And for fun:
http://www.schipperfabrik.com/

Some of their foreign offerings overlap the dates for Span Am/Boxer Reb.