Paraphrased from “Signal Encounter at Guantanamo” by Col. RR Hull, Naval History, pp. 18-13, May/June 1998.

The newly organized 1st Marine Battalion, CO Col. Huntington, landed at Guantanamo Bay on 10 June 1898 and established a camp on a small hill – site of a former Spanish blockhouse destroyed by US Naval bombardment that had driven the Spanish troops inland. The Marines were to keep the Spanish troops away from naval harbor operations.

Huntington’s command post was established near the ruins of the blockhouse. The command group consisted of the adjutant, Sgt. Major, First Sgt., 3 man color guard and 2 signals marines, for a total of 9 men.

Next morning a 50 man patrol went out west of camp, encountered and attacked a small stone fort overlooking the bay. Later on the 11th reorganized Spanish troops ambushed and killed 2 Marines in an outpost. The Marine battalion, now alerted, had prepared their defenses around their tents; during the night and until dawn the next morning a series of attacks was repulsed. The same was repeated on the night of the 12th.

Huntington requested USS Marblehead to shine it’s searchlight on his left flank, then into the changed attack direction. On the 13th Huntington consolidated his position on the hill, a fortified position 40 yards on a side. No attacks occurred on the 13th. On the 14th Huntington sent 350 men on an expedition – consisting of companies C and D plus Cuban Rebels – with orders to destroy the well at a nearby ranch. The well was the only water within miles. The expedition came up on a ridge overlooking the ranch and flanking the Spanish position. The Spanish troops were a multi-company force of Regular troops and loyalist Guerillas.

The Marines on the ridge kept the Spanish troops pinned but with their water gone the force CO, Capt. Elliott, called for a signalman to signal the USS Dolphin to shell the Spanish position. The signalman stood in full view of the Spanish to signal. Unfortunately, the fisrst salvos hit the hill where newly arrived reinforcements – Company A – had almost finished encircling the Spanish. A new signalman transmitted signals three times to the Dolphin for fire changes. By 3pm the Spanish retreated through a narrow valley north. Elliott destroyed the ranch and well effectively ending the Spanish threat to the area.

The Spanish probably had more forces available so I would make the force composition:

4 US Marine Companies
1 Cuban Rebel company

4 Spanish Regular infantry Companies
1 Spanish Civil Guard company
1 Cuban Guerilla Company

Obviously the figures available will come from either Old Glory or Tiger Miniatures. Personally, I would use the Tiger Miniature figures.