Newsletter

It has been a long time since the last issue of the "Tropical Telegraph" but the time has not been wasted. Along with two major photo sessions at two fine military history museums, I have been pleased to add a number of new items and photos to the collection. Some of this has already been added to the site, but much more remains to be included. Many of you have contacted me with encouragement and so very valuable information. Here are some of the highlights.

In July I was able to travel to Madison, Wisconsin to photograph several fine artifacts in the collection of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The curator, Bill Brewster, is an old Civil War reenacting 'Pard' of mine and graciously gave me access to their holdings. This is a fine state run museum that tells the story of Badger State soldier's contributions to continued American victory and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. Among the items examined were two nice rayadillo uniforms; an identified guerrera and colonial gorro de cuartel named to a soldado from the 25th Light Infantry Battalion "Patria" stationed in Puerto Rico, and a Norfolk pattern rayadillo tunic and trousers captured from Philippine insurgents. I will add photos of these items and more soon.

Another opportunity to examine and photograph a large number of important artifacts came in October when I traveled to Camp Ripley, Minnesota and the Minnesota Military Museum. The is the state's official National Guard museum and is a real hidden treasure. Doug Bekke is the curator and is also one of my oldest friends in the collecting field. He and I spend a very enjoyable two days combing the collection for Spanish colonial souvenirs. This museum is quite a source as they hold the combined "liberated" bring backs of three veterans of the 13th Minnesota Infantry from the Philippines campaign. Highlights from this collection include a rayadillo tunic of the unique Philippine colony pattern with the standing collar, complete with matching trousers, two issued straw hats, three unit painted oilcloth hat bands, several metal hat cockades, revolver holsters and cartridge pouch, an insurgent flag and much more. Several items, such as the tunic and one of the hats have already been added to the site and can be viewed by clicking the UNIFORMS INSIGNIA EQUIPMENT page. More will be added as time permits.

Plans are underway to visit more museums in 2007. Several county museums in Ohio have some interesting and unique items that I want to document. If any readers know of any good public holdings of Spanish colonial artifacts in the US, please let me know.

As a collector, I was happy to add a number of good artifacts to my personal collection. Some of the more important uniform items include a white cotton Guayabera and matching trousers, and a Filipino gourd and wicker salacot, a type of pith helmet worn by some native troops in Spanish service. New equipment additions include several variations of cartridge pouches, some identified to their place of capture, a pair of "Habana" maker marked binoculars as well as more examples of belt buckle variations. A large number of button types and different collar insignia have been purchased. Two Model 1892 colonial machetes, an eagle head machete, a Model 1843 Artillery machete and a Model 1863 LeFauchuex revolver are among the weapons acquired in 2006. A very fine Philippine Insurrection Army sword dated 1899 and an important insurrectionist flag and insignia group from the estate of the first commander of the Philippine Constabulary. All of this will be added to the site as soon as possible.

An essential part of the research of the Spanish soldier's appearance are original photographs and I have been lucky to add some great images to the archive. Some are already on view in the gallery but many more will be added soon.

That's all for this time. ¡Adiós amigos!

BACK ISSUES OF THE TROPICAL TELEGRAPH

Volume 1 - Number 1 Posted 1/20/06

Volume 1 - Number 2 Posted 2/09/06

Volume 2 - Number 1 Posted 1/15/2007