Original Item. Only One Available. This is a tremendous Spanish American War forage with a badge for Company F of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, which fought valiantly at the Battle of Santiago in Cuba, and in over 25 engagements in the Philippines during the Insurrection from 1900-1903. The cap is in great overall condition with a few minor flaws. This was the U.S. Army's first transition to a visor cap after leaving the traditional kepi design.

The cap is made of dark blue wool with enameled leather visor bound with patent leather, and a tarred leather chinstrap held in place by 2 gold gilt federal regulation eagle buttons. The cap retains its full russet brown leather sweatband, although the stitching has begun to come undone in spots. There is a Size sticker for 6⅜ and on the black silk lining is a maker’s stamp for B. PASQUALE 123 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, which was a popular maker in California around the turn of the century. The 2nd Infantry badge is affixed to the front of the cap via a screwback which is visible on the interior. There is scattered moth tracking across the crown, but it is barely visible. The only serious damage is a spot on the visor where the finish has been warped and it appears brown.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment

In 1898, the 2nd infantry regiment was deployed to Cuba at the start of the Spanish–American War, with Headquarters, Staff, Band, and Companies C and G sailing on the same ship with the Rough Riders. The regiment, under the command of LTC William Wherry, (regimental commander COL John C. Bates had been promoted to brigadier general of volunteers) fought in battles along the road to San Juan Heights and the battle of Santiago, where it fought on the extreme left of San Juan Heights. In August 1898, the regiment returned to the United States only to return to Cuba in January 1899. The regiment stayed in Cuba until September 1899 when it returned to the United States to prepare for deployment to the Philippines.

In August/September 1900 the 2nd Infantry was deployed to deal with the Philippine Insurrection during which it fought in over 25 engagements on several of the islands. In May 1903 the regiment returned to duty in the western United States, it was stationed at Fort Logan, Colorado and Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. In February 1906 the regiment was redeployed to the Philippines and remained there until returning to the United States in March 1908. The 3rd Battalion went to Fort Assinniboine, Montana and the balance of the regiment to Fort Thomas, Kentucky for training and garrison duties until deploying to Hawaii in 1911.