antique The Spanish-American War Remembered in Glass bottles

ebay by Kevin A. Sives nasa

....Many of us are familiar with the fact that events throughout our history have been memorialized in glass. But sadly, nothing produces more events, nor creates more heroes, than war.

Label under glass pocket flask showing Admiral Dewey 'Our Hero', beneath an American Eagle and Flags.

Some of America’s earliest wars, however, predated the use of sophisticated molds to create highly embossed pictorial or historical flasks. However, many of these events and heroes would find their way onto later bottles and flasks. From the Revolutionary War era, we have visages of George Washington appearing on hundreds of later flasks. The War of 1812 produced its share of heroes; William Henry Harrison (of Hard Cider and log cabin fame) and slogans; “Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights”, which would later be used on embossed flasks.
By the time these molds came into wide-spread usage, America was at a peaceful point in its history. But soon, this would change. The first war which resulted in contemporary people and events being embossed on flasks was the Mexican War, which gave us General Taylor, Major Ringgold, and Captain Bragg (and ‘a little more grape’). By the time that the Civil War had rolled around, the pontil era was dwindling, and these wonderfully, heavily embossed flasks were out of style, to be replaced with more simple designs. However there were still many beautiful flasks produced which made extensive use of patriotic themes, usually including the word “Union”.
But what about the later wars? We typically think of the Civil War era as being the last war for which bottles, flasks, or other glassware was produced as a commemorative. But we’d be wrong. Even though the last war to be heavily remembered in glass is celebrating its centennial this year, it’s not a war that quickly comes to mind, when asked about our nation’s history. I’m speaking, of course, about the Spanish-American War.
Sure, most of us have heard of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, or the phrase “Remember the Maine”, or even “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley”, but we would be hard pressed to remember that these items were related to the Spanish-American War. And we certainly don’t remember that there were a number of bottles, flasks, and other glass items made during this period as souvenirs and commemoratives of the war.
In order to understand the significance of the collectibles created, we need a little history lesson about the war itself. Appendix I, at the end of this article, contains a quick overview of the major events which occurred during this period.
Interestingly, the Spanish-American War could be called two separate wars, thousands of miles apart, occurring simultaneously. And amazingly, both wars were fought and won using identical tactics — each began with naval invasions of the ports, followed by decisive naval victories, and ending with army led land invasions.

A clear glass tumbler with Admiral Dewewy ' the Hero of Manila' in colored enamel.

The Spanish-American War
The war with Spain was extremely short, very popular with the American citizens at the time, and resulted in extremely low casualties to American service people.
The situation, which became known as the Spanish-American War, began in Cuba. And like most wars, it began as a small, internal problem. Soon, however, it grew until it took on a life of its own, and finally ended with the involvement of major world powers. Cuba had been unhappy under Spanish rule for decades, which resulted in a bitter revolution erupting in 1868. This rebellion, which lasted for ten years, was finally repressed in 1878.
The United States tried to remain neutral during this prolonged revolution, even in 1873, when Spanish soldiers executed 53 United States merchant sailors in cold blood. The policy in the United States during this rebellion was to ignore Cuba and it’s troubles.
On Feb. 25, 1895 the Cuban insurrectionists rose up once more against Spain, burning sugar plantations and fighting a ruthless guerrilla war. The insurrectionists had expected the United States to come to their aid, since the United States had over $50,000,000 in investments in Cuba, and the sugar trade amounted to over $100,000,000 in revenue annually.
Their expectations, however, were frustrated by the fact that President Cleveland took a cautious approach to Cuba, and warned the United States citizens to stay neutral in the conflict. Cleveland’s successor, William McKinley, did not depart markedly from his predecessor’s course. McKinley was more interested in other matters, and his policy toward Cuba was merely to see that peace was reestablished.
When a new liberal ministry took over in Spain, headed by Mataeo Sagasta, McKinley was optimistic that reforms would take place, and Cuba would be allowed more self-government. Sagasta recalled the hated General Weyler from Cuba. Weyler was called “the butcher”, because he created concentration camps in Cuba, and had carried out a rural pacification policy. In the camps, over 250,000 Cuban women and children had died from Spanish cruelty.
In his State of the Union message in 1897 McKinley reported that progress had been made in the Cuban situation. But things were to change quickly.

A label under glass pocket flask with an actual picture of the Battleship Maine.

In January of 1898, McKinley decided to send a ship to Havana to demonstrate what he called “American good will between Spain and the United States”, even though the city was being rocked with riots.
This proved to be a crucial mistake for America. The ship that McKinley sent, the USS Maine, arrived in Havana harbor amid warm welcome from the Cubans. However, on February 15, 1898, while docked in Havana harbor, the USS Maine was rocked by a tremendous explosion, which sent the ship and 260 United States sailors to their doom.
The explosion of the USS Maine electrified the country. Most of the citizens of the United States blamed the Spanish, and Americans were united in their cry for retribution. An American inquiry into the explosion concluded that an “explosion of a submarine mine caused the partial explosion of the three forward magazines”, but the report failed to identify who was guilty of the heinous deed.
The New York Journal carried the headline “THE WARSHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY’S SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE” and the article blamed the Spanish, even though there was no proof. “Remember the Maine” became the buzzword of the day, and Americans, such as Teddy Roosevelt (who was an Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the time) called the sinking of the USS Maine “dirty treachery on the part of the Spanish.”
McKinley tried to head off the stampede for war in the United States, but the pressure on McKinley was tremendous as Congress demanded that he recognize the Cuban freedom fighters. The American press, led by William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, called out for much stronger action.
The two newspapers were locked in a struggle for circulation in New York and each newspaper tried to outdo the other in providing the public with lurid, sensational and often false accounts to excite and satisfy the American appetite for gore. Both editors were unconcerned that their irresponsible journalistic accounts were creating a climate for war in the country.
But on March 17, 1898, an event occurred that galvanized the country toward war with Spain, and made McKinley’s neutral stand untenable. Senator Proctor, a moderate Republican, had just returned from a trip to Cuba where he had investigated the conditions of the civilian population there. The concentration camp-like conditions he saw so shocked him that he urged the United States to intervene in the war to help alleviate these terrible atrocities being committed against the Cuban people.
By the middle of March, McKinley demanded that the Spanish withdrawal from the island, and Spain seemed receptive, but McKinley was not satisfied with the Spanish reply. By April, the Spanish had ordered their Generals to suspend all hostilities in Cuba and an armistice of sorts went into effect. Even though Spain was clearly leaning towards accepting the American plan for Cuba, the momentum was already too strong to stop.

Colorful label under glass pocket flask showing Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, who was prominent in the Battle of Santiago, above an American flag.

War fever swept Congress, and on April 19, 1898 a joint resolution passed both houses which authorized the President to use force to eject Spain from Cuba. On April 25th congress declared that a state of war had existed between the two countries since the 21st of April.
The theater of the war was to be in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, as Spain had strongholds in both areas.
On April 24, 1898, Naval Fleet Commander, Admiral George Dewey, commanding the Asiatic squadron, set sail from Hong Kong to the Spanish-owned Philippine Islands, with orders to destroy the Spanish fleet there.
Upon arriving in Manila Bay on May 1, Dewey, aboard his flagship Olympia, turned to the Olympia’s Captain and said “you may fire when you are ready, Gridley”. Gridley and Dewey, then proceeded to carry out their instructions to a letter, by sinking every Spanish war ship in Manila Bay. With Spain’s Pacific fleet destroyed, McKinley dispatched an Army under the command of General Wesley Merritt to take the city of Manila. By July 31, 1898, 11,000 soldiers had landed on the island of Luzon, and by August 14, Manila fell.
Admiral William Sampson, on the other hand, commanded the Caribbean fleet, and accordingly sank the Spanish Caribbean fleet at the Battle of Santiago Harbor, thus ending Spanish sea power in the Caribbean. This victory occurred on July 3rd, 1898 and by July 25th, armies commanded by General W. R. Shafter had occupied Santiago, and by General Miles had captured Puerto Rico.
One of the most famous regiments of all time entered Cuba under General Shafter’s command. It was commanded by the future President, Theodore Roosevelt. The Regiment he raised was officially designated the First Cavalry Volunteer unit, but became unofficially known as “The Rough Riders”. Their legendary fight at San Juan Hill would go down in history.
In addition to Sampson and Dewey’s crushing victories, naval operations included blockading the Cuban coast; bombardment of Spanish fortifications at San Juan, Puerto Rico by the USS Iowa, USS New York, and other ships; as well as gunfire support of Marine and Army landings in Cuba and Puerto Rico. America emerged from the Spanish-American War as a major naval power. See Appendix II at the end of this article for a listing of the ships which were part of this “Great White Fleet”, created during the Spanish-American War.

A rare label under glass pocket flask with 'Fitzhugh Lee'.

Lee was Consul General at Havana, Cuba during the Spanish - American War.

On July 26th, Spain was ready to concede American victory, and on August 12, 1898 an armistice was signed in Washington, by which Spain freed Cuba and ceded to the United States Puerto Rico and Guam.
The crucial question confronting McKinley on the eve of the peace was precisely how much of Spain’s empire would fall to the United States. America eagerly took possession of Puerto Rico and Guam, but what about the Philippines, with its remote location from the continental United States? Dewey’s attack on Manila was made not to take the Philippines, but to prevent the fleet stationed there from steaming to the Caribbean. Things had, however, changed, as by October 28th in the treaty negotiations with Spain, the United States demanded all of the Philippines.
The treaty was signed on December 10, 1898 in Paris and for all the Spanish colonial possessions the United States would pay $20 million. But there was great opposition to the treaty by many important anti-imperialists.
The great Filipino patriot Emilio Aguinaldo had long fought against Spain for Filipino independence. In April of 1898 he had to organize guerrilla forces in the Philippines to help the Americans finish off the Spanish. But Aguinaldo had not bargained for trading one master for another and when a United States flag was raised over Manila on January 5, 1899 he proclaimed himself head of the revolutionary Filipino Republic.
A guerrilla war broke out in the Philippines, but the United States would still not surrender what it had just acquired. On the night of February 4, 1899, the insurrection broke out and the revolutionary war, as the Filipinos called it, lasted until July 1902 at the cost of $600 million and 4,000 American lives. Certainly a sad footnote to the Spanish-American War, and to America’s desire to add to its possessions.

A clear glass 'mustard jar' with the Battleship Maine embossed on one side and the Morro Castle on the other.

Morro Castle guards the entrance to San Juan harbor in Puerto Rico.

This jar can also be found in milk glass.

Spanish-American War Collectibles or Souvenirs
All of this history is very interesting (or very boring, depending on your perspective), but what does it have to do with me, the glass collector? Actually, quite a bit more than you’d imagine. Because, no matter if you collect bottles, flasks, or pressed glass, there is a Spanish-American War souvenir available for you to add to your collection.
There are many different types of glass commemoratives available to the Spanish-American War collector. For simplicity, I have categorized them into three different groups — 1) pressed or pattern glass; 2) label-under-glass flasks or bottles; and 3) embossed bottles and flasks with war slogans or war heroes.
For the true collector of Spanish-American War items, there are a number of things available besides glass collectibles. At various antique shows and shops, I have seen many porcelain plates, photographs, postcards, lithographs, and other ephemera. Many of these items were created at the time of the war, or shortly thereafter, but although highly collected, they are beyond the scope of my article.
In Appendix III, I’ve tried to put together a listing of the various types of glass, bottles, and flasks that can be found which relate to the Spanish-American War. But I’d be willing to bet that I’ve missed some, and our alert readers will probably point out the error of my ways.

Summary
I tried to cover a number of things in this article. First of all, I wanted to acquaint the reader with the Spanish-American War and its centennial this year. Secondly, I wished to give a brief overview of the war itself so that we could better understand the conditions at that time in American history. And finally, I wanted to put together a list of the numerous glass items available to today’s collectors, so that we better understand the vast diversity of items that can be collected.
I hope I’ve accomplished my goals, and sparked a little interest in the Spanish-American War and its collectibles.

Addendum
As a footnote to this article, Admiral Dewey’s flagship, the USS Olympia, needs your help. The vessel is in need of major repairs, with funds and volunteers needed to help restore the vessel.The following was taken from The Spanish-American War Centennial Web Site, at: http://www.powerscourt.com/war/index.htm.

A one-half pint clear glass flask with the 'U.S. Battleship Maine' embossed on the front.

“In spite of the efforts of a variety of organizations over the years, the money has never been available to properly care for the vessel. Basically, the vessel is suffering from thirty-five years of well intentioned but unsuccessful attempts to preserve her. Recently, in an effort to save the USS OLYMPIA, she was placed under the control of the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA. The museum is located adjacent to the vessel at Penn’s Landing.
The USS OLYMPIA has suffered in many ways over the years. The most obvious, though somewhat superficial, damage noticeable to the visitor is the rust and peeling paint on the hull and superstructure. However, there are more extensive problems that are not as obvious. The original Douglas fir wood main deck has rotted away, and has been replaced by concrete and plywood. The deck leaks, allowing rainwater to penetrate into the many museum displays in the ship’s interior on the decks below, including the Admiral’s Stateroom. On the gun deck, below, tarps have been placed to direct the water away from the displays and interior woodwork and into temporary barrels. Hazardous materials may lie hidden within the vessel’s structure and, if found, must be removed. The engine room has significant amounts of rust on the equipment and is now off limits to the public. There are no functional bilge pumps, and rainwater had accumulated in levels up to thirty-six inches deep in the bilges, causing shell plating and structural deterioration before being pumped out.
On the decks above, in addition to the peeling paint, the wooden boats swinging in their davits are rapidly deteriorating. The memorial to the Unknown Soldier of World War One, who was transported across the Atlantic aboard the USS OLYMPIA, is in need of repairs. Lastly, and significantly, the gun tubes in the main turrets were removed years ago and replaced with steel pipe.The museum is now attempting to stabilize the vessel and begin the long, hard road to restoration. Efforts are even being made to locate the original turret guns. The ship has been rewired and other work has been performed on a ‘as is most critical’ basis. Once the vessel has been stabilized, efforts may be made to restore the vessel.
However, FUNDS ARE NEEDED DESPERATELY IF THIS IS TO OCCUR!

Please help to preserve this historic vessel as we approach the Centennial of this great conflict as a memorial to all those involved in the War - Americans, Spaniards, Cubans and Filipinos.

The base of this milk glass covered dish depicts the cruiser Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flag ship at the Battle of Manila. The cover is a bust of Admiral Dewey and American Flags.

Probably originally containing mustard, and possibly made for the E.C. Flaccus Company, of Wheeling, VA.

You can help in a variety of ways:
1. Send your tax deductible (in the US) donations: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Columbus Blvd. & Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199, noting that it is to be directed to the funds for the “USS OLYMPIA”.
2. Contact the museum at the same address or call 215-925-5439 and request membership information ($35 for individual memberships, $45 for family memberships). Being a member of the museum is the best way to be kept up to date on the USS OLYMPIA and the events that have and will surround it......”

Bibliography:
Dupuy, R. Ernest and Trevor N. Dupuy, “The Encyclopedia of Military History from 3500 B.C. to the Present”, 2d ev. ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1986.

Lindsey, Bessie M., “American Historical Glass”, Rutland: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1980.

McKearin, Helen and Kenneth M. Wilson, “American Bottles and Flasks and Their Ancestry”, New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. 1978.

Musicant, Ivan, “The Banana Wars: A History of United States Military Intervention in Latin America from the Spanish-American War to the Invasion of Panama”, NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1990.

Van Rensselaer, Stephen, “Early American Bottles and Flasks”, Peterborough, New Hampshire: Transcript Printing Company, 1926.

Attending the big ‘Birthday Bash’ Bottle Show at Valley Forge this Labor Day Weekend? Why not make the short trip to Penn’s Landing waterfront in Philadelphia where the USS Olympia is docked. The Olympia was Dewey’s flagship at the Battle of Manila and is possibly the last remaining ship of the ‘Great White Fleet’.

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