Battle of Guantánamo Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Guantánamo Bay |
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| Part of the Spanish–American War | |||||||
.jpg) First hoisting of the Stars and Stripes by the US Marines on Cuban soil, June 11, 1898, Unknown author |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States Cuban rebels |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Bowman McCalla |
Felix Pareja |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 923 1 unprotected cruiser 2 auxiliary cruisers 1 gunboat 1 steamship |
5,000 2 gunboats |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 29 killed and wounded 1 unprotected cruiser damaged |
208 killed and wounded 18 captured 2 gunboats damaged |
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The Battle of Guantánamo Bay was an important fight during the Spanish–American War. It happened from June 6 to June 10, 1898. American and Cuban forces worked together to capture the Guantánamo Bay harbor in Cuba. This bay was very important for ships and trade.
Taking control of Guantánamo Bay helped the Americans in later battles. It was key for the Battle of Santiago de Cuba and the invasion of Puerto Rico. Even though it's not as famous as the battles at Santiago, setting up the U.S. naval base here was a big step. It helped defeat the Spanish forces in Cuba.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Cuba had been fighting for its freedom from Spain since 1895. Two rebel leaders, José Martí and Máximo Gómez, started the fight. After three years, the rebels had only won control in two areas.
In February 1898, the U.S. warship USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor. This led the U.S. to declare war on Spain. The U.S. wanted to help the Cuban rebels. By May, the Spanish fleet was trapped in Santiago Bay. This bay was about 40 miles (64 km) west of Guantánamo Bay. The U.S. Army quickly got ready to send troops to Cuba.
Spanish Defenses at Guantánamo
Even with the Cuban rebels nearby, Spanish soldiers controlled Guantánamo City. They also held the port of Caimanera and the railroad connecting the two. About 5,000 Spanish soldiers were in the area.
The Spanish had a small fort on a hill near the bay's entrance. Another fort on Cayo del Toro island guarded the narrow channel. The Spanish gunboat Sandoval was based in the inner bay. They also had many small forts along the railroad to Guantánamo City. Cuban rebels had outposts along the coast. They controlled the western side of the bay's entrance.
The Battle Begins
The U.S. Navy first attacked Guantánamo Bay on June 6. The ship USS Marblehead, led by Bowman H. McCalla, arrived. Two other ships, USS St. Louis and Yankee, came with it. Commander McCalla's job was to check out the bay for a naval base. The St. Louis was to cut the underwater cables. These cables connected Cuba to Haiti and the rest of the world.
When the U.S. ships entered the bay at dawn, Spanish soldiers were at their fort. The Marblehead quickly fired at the fort and the nearby village. Spanish gunboats tried to fight back but quickly left. The fort on Cayo del Toro also fired, but its shots missed.
The U.S. ships successfully cut all the telegraph cables. From June 7 to July 5, Guantánamo City had no way to talk to the outside world. After checking the bay, the Marblehead picked up two Cuban officers. They told Admiral Sampson that Cuban forces would help the U.S. Commander McCalla then worked closely with General Pedro Pérez, the Cuban commander.
Marines Land in Cuba
The U.S. decided to set up a base at Guantánamo Bay. So, the First Battalion of Marines was sent there. This group had about 650 men. They traveled on the ship USS Panther.
On June 9, the Marines chose a camp site on a hill. It was named Camp McCalla. The Marines had new, fast-firing rifles and a machine gun. They also had four 3-inch cannons.
The Marines landed on June 10 without any fighting. They burned the old huts and the Spanish fort to prevent yellow fever. The Spanish had left in a hurry, leaving things behind. The Marines raised the American flag. This was the first time a U.S. military unit raised the flag on Cuban soil.
The Marines set up outposts. One was at a crossroads, another at a bridge. Commander McCalla warned that the outposts were too far away. They could not be easily seen or supported. That night, the Marines heard voices but no attack came. The Spanish were low on food. They waited to attack, hoping to steal American supplies.
By morning, the Marines had unloaded their gear. The rest of the battalion came ashore. The only sound was the cooing of doves. Marines later learned this was a Spanish signal. A Cuban officer, Colonel Laborde, joined the Marines. He gave them information about the enemy.
Laborde reported that the main Spanish force was at the "Well of Cuzco." This was about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of the Marine camp. The well was the only source of fresh water nearby. He said that taking the well would force the Spanish to retreat.
Fighting at Camp McCalla
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Camp McCalla was not a good place for a fight. No trenches had been dug. The Marines' cannons were not even on shore yet. The camp was on an open beach, an easy target for hidden Spanish snipers.
On June 11, Spanish fighters started shooting at the Marines from the bushes. They used fast-firing rifles and moved toward the camp. After heavy fighting, the Marines pushed them back. Two Marine guards were found dead. They had been shot and cut many times.
This was the start of "100 hours of fighting." The Marines dug in. They fired back, helped by cannons and machine guns. The ship Marblehead also fired shells over their heads. The Spanish wore palm leaves for camouflage. They used smokeless powder, making them hard to see.
On June 12, the enemy came very close to Camp McCalla. A fierce gunfight began. Marines fired their rifles, machine guns, and cannons. The Spanish did not try to overrun the camp. Two Marines were killed. The Spanish took their dead and wounded away to hide their losses.
The next day, about 60 Cuban fighters joined the Marines. They were led by Lieutenant Colonel Enrique Thomas. The Cubans burned the bushes as they moved forward. This took away the enemy's hiding places. The Marblehead also shelled the well at Cuzco. But the Spanish attacked again that evening. Two more Marines were killed.
By the night of June 13, the Marines were very tired. They had not slept for a long time. No help could come yet, as U.S. Army troops had not left the U.S. The fighting continued for two more days.
Battle for Cuzco Well
Cuban leader Lt. Col. Thomas suggested attacking the Spanish at Cuzco Well. About 500 Spanish soldiers and fighters were there. Taking and destroying the well would force them to leave. Commander McCalla agreed. The attack was set for the next day at 8:00 AM.
Two Marine companies, about 160 men, joined 50 Cubans. They were led by Captain George F. Elliott. They would approach Cuzco along the cliffs by the sea. A smaller Marine group would go by an inland valley. The gunboat USS Dolphin would help from the sea.
The march on June 14 was hot and difficult. The land was rough with thick bushes and cactus. It was almost 11:00 AM when the main force reached the hill around Cuzco valley. The Cubans, ahead of the Marines, were spotted by the enemy. Both sides raced for the top of the hill.
The Marines and Cubans reached the top first. They faced heavy fire from the Spanish. The smaller Marine group attacked from the side. They used their rifles to fire from two directions. Three machine guns helped the Marines. This was one of the first times machine guns were used to support an attack.
The Marines' new, lighter rifle bullets were very helpful. They could carry lots of ammunition. The Cuban rebels ran out of bullets during the fight. Marines shared their extra bullets, and no American ran out.
During the battle, Captain Elliott asked the Dolphin to fire at the Spanish fort. But there was a mistake in the signals. The gunboat started firing near a small group of Marines and Cubans. Sergeant John H. Quick bravely stood on the ridge. He waved a flag to signal the Dolphin to change its aim.
War reporter Stephen Crane saw this. He wrote about Sergeant Quick's courage. Quick stood calmly, waving his flag, even with bullets flying around him. He showed no fear. For his brave actions, Sergeant Quick later received the Medal of Honor.
The Dolphin then fired at the correct target. By 2:00 PM, the Spanish left their fort. Most of them escaped. But a Spanish officer and 17 soldiers were captured. The Spanish had about 60 killed and 150 wounded. They left behind 30 modern rifles. Two Marines and two Cuban rebels were wounded. Two Cuban rebels were killed. Many Marines suffered from heat exhaustion.
The Spanish fort was burned. The well at Cuzco was destroyed. This made it useless for both sides. Water was brought from the Dolphin ship. The Spanish soldiers who escaped told their general they had been attacked by 10,000 Americans.
Camp McCalla was not attacked again. It was closed on August 5, 1898.
After the Battle
Shelling Fort Toro
Admiral Sampson decided to shell the fort on Cayo del Toro. On June 16, three U.S. ships attacked it. Within 15 minutes, they destroyed the fort's buildings and cannons. One Spanish shell landed near a U.S. ship but caused no damage.
During this time, a U.S. ship found a contact mine caught on its propeller. The mine was safely removed. Later, it was found that the ships had passed through a field of 18 mines. None of them exploded. This was because of mechanical problems and barnacles on the mines.
The U.S. Navy cleared the mines using small boats. They dragged a chain between boats to find the mines. When they found one, they brought it up and disarmed it. This was done without special equipment.
Spanish soldiers on Hicacal Beach had been guarding the minefield. On June 25, Marines and Cubans landed there. But the Spanish had already left.
Santiago and the War's End
After taking Guantánamo Bay, the U.S. focused on Santiago. About 17,000 U.S. soldiers landed near Santiago in late June. On July 1, the U.S. won the battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill. These victories opened the way to Santiago City.
On July 3, the U.S. demanded that Santiago surrender. That same morning, the Spanish fleet tried to leave Santiago Bay. But the U.S. fleet completely destroyed it. Spanish resistance in Santiago ended. The U.S. forces took over the city on July 17.
The 7,000 Spanish soldiers in Guantánamo City did not help Santiago. Their general had been ordered to hold Guantánamo at all costs. The Spanish feared the U.S. would use the Guantánamo valley to attack Santiago. After the U.S. Navy cut the cables, the Spanish general in Guantánamo knew nothing about the war. Cuban rebels kept a tight circle around the city. No messengers could get through.
The U.S. Navy and Marines at Guantánamo Bay, along with 1,000 Cuban rebels, kept 7,000 Spanish soldiers busy. These soldiers could have changed the outcome at Santiago. Less than a week after Santiago surrendered, the base at Guantánamo Bay was used. It launched the invasion of Puerto Rico.
The war ended on August 12 with a peace agreement. The U.S. Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay was officially leased from Cuba in 1903. But its value was already clear. The Marine battalion that fought at Guantánamo Bay returned to the United States in August 1898.
Images for kids
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First hoisting of the Stars and Stripes by the US Marines on Cuban soil, June 11, 1898, Unknown author
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An aerial view of Guantánamo Bay
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A drawing showing the defense of Camp McCalla on June 11
