I wasn't expecting anything too exciting, just a different narrative from other sources I have, but I was soon corrected.
The Siege of Havana by Francis Russell Hart was published in 1931. I managed to find a signed copy from a bookseller in Germany and was surprised to find that it was a limited edition publication of only 675 books of which 112 were sold in the Uk, the rest in the US. The book is a well written narrative of the build up, siege and it's impacts and draws from English and Spanish language sources which are well referenced. It's a lovely read, even for an academic work, but it's real joy are a few of its maps and illustrations which I have not seen before.
Spanish Plan of El Morro.
Map of Havana, surrounding environment and troop dispositions.
Last week, whilst away on business, I did some research online to try to find more information on the Spanish Militias of the Havana garrison. I couldn't find anything detailing them at the time of the siege or before, other than that they existed. Plenty of information after 1762, including all of the illustrations of their uniforms, but nothing prior to their reorganisation after Havana was restored.
Hart's book book however has some key information. The numbers reported by English writers of the time of 4500 trained troops, 9000 sailors and 13 to 15000 militia were inaccurate, (and treated as such by Admiral Pocock who only asked for names of the regiments which he would be facing). Spanish writers numbers of around 5000 effective are closer quoting 750 marines, roughly 1900 troops, 1200 sailors and at the most 1500 black militia, (although only 2000 muskets, some in poor condition were available for the militia). Hart doubts that much more than 3000 effectives could be equipped for service. Although there were large numbers of men few of these other than the above were trained and fully equipped as infantry, cavalry or artillery. The rest is appears had pikes or swords and possibly just machetes, good only for a sortie en masse.
Last week, whilst away on business, I did some research online to try to find more information on the Spanish Militias of the Havana garrison. I couldn't find anything detailing them at the time of the siege or before, other than that they existed. Plenty of information after 1762, including all of the illustrations of their uniforms, but nothing prior to their reorganisation after Havana was restored.
Hart's book book however has some key information. The numbers reported by English writers of the time of 4500 trained troops, 9000 sailors and 13 to 15000 militia were inaccurate, (and treated as such by Admiral Pocock who only asked for names of the regiments which he would be facing). Spanish writers numbers of around 5000 effective are closer quoting 750 marines, roughly 1900 troops, 1200 sailors and at the most 1500 black militia, (although only 2000 muskets, some in poor condition were available for the militia). Hart doubts that much more than 3000 effectives could be equipped for service. Although there were large numbers of men few of these other than the above were trained and fully equipped as infantry, cavalry or artillery. The rest is appears had pikes or swords and possibly just machetes, good only for a sortie en masse.
Together with my copy of the Naval Records Society's Siege and Capture of Havana, Hart's Book will provide the basis for my sequel to the Sugar Islands Campaign, "Against Spain".
4 comments:
Fascinating
We are stalled half way through the sugar islands cmpaign whilst I aquire suitable 15mm figures for the attack on the plantation house scenario. Still very much looking forward to Against Spain
Press on!
I'd love to see some pics of your games.
Rgds
Stuart
Nice find.
A very nice buy. Really looking forward to your publication another great diversion!
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