Pack Mules with Ammunition on Trail, Cuba (1898) | Old Colorized Movie

This colorized footage vividly captures a pack mule train transporting ammunition during the Spanish-American War near Santiago, Cuba, in 1898. A great pack train rapidly approaches, led by a gray bell-mule, with cowboys dashing back and forth to keep the mules bunched together. Clouds of dust rise as the convoy moves along the rugged trail, reflecting the intensity and urgency of wartime logistics.

The mules are heavily loaded with boxes of small-arms ammunition, crucial for immediate reserves during the conflict. Among the handlers, some may be civilian "mule skinners" hired by the Army to manage the animals. This restored footage provides a compelling glimpse into the logistical efforts of the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War, highlighting the vital role of pack mules in transporting essential supplies under challenging conditions.

Produced by: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Camera: William Daly Paley
Collections:

Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection (Library of Congress)
Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress)