In March 1898, as a prelude to conflict, Congress authorized two new regiments of artillery, the 6th and 7th U.S. Field Artillery. In all, four field artillery batteries, a Gatling gun battery, and two siege artillery batteries went to Cuba. The 1st Massachusetts Artillery did not see action in Cuba, though its officers did acquire the new khaki coats first issued during the Spanish American War. Most officers wore similar uniforms with branch of service colors indicated on their coats.
The 1.65 inch Hotchkiss Mountain Gun was the primary artillery piece used in Cuba. It was a light gun intended to be packed on mules to accompany either a fast moving cavalry troop or an army maneuvering in rough country. During the Spanish American War they were also seeing use as an infantry close support gun.
The gun was well liked by the troops. Their light weight made them extremely portable. The gun was well built and simple to operate. It was also a very accurate gun.
The gun had two drawbacks. The projectile was just too small to employ a time fused shrapnel shell, so there was no way to air-burst a shell over the enemy, therefore reducing the gun's effectiveness. When fired, the gun's black powder gave away its position to the enemy. By the time of the Philippine American War, the guns were being converted to center fire cartridge ignition with smokeless powder used as propellant. |
