A Spanish American War Relic Box
Items in this display will be identified starting in
upper left hand corner and working across and down:
1) Expert Rilfeman's medal - note the crossed Krag rifles. This medal was
issued during the period 1898-1902.
2) 24th Infantry, E Co. hat insignia - the 24th fought in Cuba on
San Juan Hill and was one of only two black U.S. infantry regiments.
3) 1st Volunteer Cavalry, C Co. hat insignia - this was the
famous Rough Rider regiment.
4) 2nd Artillery, M Co. hat insignia - note the crossed cannon with regimental
number '2' above and the company letter 'M' below.
5) Crossed rifles infantryman's hat insignia - used in Indian Wars
& the SAW.
6) Aluminum disk w/metal horseshoe - this was a souvenir
of the SAW. Its inscription indicates that the tiny
horseshoe in the center was made from scrap iron taken from the
Battleship Maine when it was raised and salvaged.
7) Spanish Artilleryman's cuff button - note the crown, crossed cannon and
stack of cannon balls.
8) U.S. Marine Corps hat insignia - note the high relief eagle, globe and anchor design.
Used between 1898-1902.
9) SAW Veteran's medal (without ribbon and attachment) -
given to all SAW veterans who fought in campaigns from
1898-1902.
10) Hospital Corpsman's hat insignia - note the fancy silver cross.
11) Crossed palms hat insignia - used by Florida National Guard
during the SAW.
12) Brass disk with propeller and inscription - this was a
souvenir of the SAW made from brass taken from the
propeller of the USS Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship
in the Battle of Manila Bay.
13) Spanish Infantryman's coat button - note the Spanish coat of arms.
14) Cuban military coat button - note the Cuban coat of arms and
crossed flags.
15) Starburst watch fob - the aluminum disc in the center
is inscribed with a tiny Battleship Maine and the motto
'Remember the Maine!'.
16) Bullet clip - clip & 3 bullets that were picked up
on San Juan Hill (see handwritten card).
17) Spanish Artilleryman's coat button - note the crown, crossed cannon
and stack of cannon balls.
18) Cuban military cuff button - note the Cuban coat of arms.
19) 37th Artilleryman's hat insignia - note the crossed cannon and '37' below.
20) Spanish 3rd Infantryman's cuff button - note the horn with '3' in the center.
The horn denotes infantry.
21) Spanish 3rd Infantryman's coat button - note the horn with '3' in the center.
22) Bullet clip - clip & 3 more bullets that were picked up
on San Juan Hill (see handwritten card).
23) Spanish Infantryman's coat button - note Spanish coat of arms.
24) Spanish 1st Infantryman's coat button - note the fancy '1'.
25) Spanish Signalman's coat button - note the crossed flags.
26) Spanish 1st Infantryman's coat button - note the normal '1'.
Soldier's Cartridge Belt with 'H' Buckle
This is the type of cartridge belt that went to war with the infantryman during the Spanish American War. It held 45/70 Cal. bullets used in the Trapdoor Springfield Rifle. There is one round located in the first loop to the left of the buckle. This type buckle is known as an H-plate because of it's shape, and the last of this particular style made for use in the 1890s.
Relic Recovered From the Wreck of the Battleship Maine
This interesting donut shaped brass relic was once a part of a small motor used aboard the Battleship Maine. After the Maine exploded, salvagers recovered many artifacts from the wrecksite in Havana Harbor. This particular artifact was made into a paperweight and had the following inscription punched into its surface: 'U.S.S. B. MAINE FEB. 15, 1898. HAVANA.'
