Who commanded the First Marine Battalion at Guantánamo Bay in 1898?

Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Huntington commanded the First Marine Battalion at Guantánamo Bay in 1898.

Huntington’s battalion consisted of six companies totaling roughly 650 Marines. It had been conducting exercises at Key West while awaiting orders, then sailed aboard the converted transport USS Panther to join the fleet operating near Cuba. The ship reached Santiago on June 9, 1898.

The Marines established Camp McCalla near Fisherman’s Point, a position selected with Huntington’s involvement. Huntington led his men during the fighting around Guantánamo Bay and helped direct the advance against Spanish forces near Cuzco Well, where the defenders’ access to fresh water made the position strategically important.

He is easily confused with other officers connected to the battle. Bowman H. McCalla commanded the naval landing operation, while George F. Elliott led Marine companies during the attack on Cuzco Well. Huntington, however, was the battalion commander.