Once war was declared in April, plans to send an American expeditionary force evolved. Once a Spanish flotilla was trapped in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, rather than striking at Havana, the decision was to send the force to Santiago. The size and complexity of the force grew from a projected 5,000 men to 25,000. The Corps commander, General William Shafter, was overwhelmed. Tampa was completely inadequate for a port and Shafter had few people he could call on to help prepare the force for embarkation. In May through early June, it proved difficult to properly assemble the force and its supplies, delaying their departure and impacting their performance. Take a listen!

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