Original Spanish-American War Spanish Army Regimiento de Cazadores No. 14 Knapsack Flag - Defended Cuba During War at Guantánamo Bay & Battle of Cuzco Well - 31 x 35”

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a great example of a rare Spanish "Knapsack flag", dating from the Spanish-American war era. It measures a very displayable 31" x 35", and is of light canvas construction, with the Red, Yellow, and Red stripes of the Spanish national flag. In the center is a variation of the Spanish coat of arms. Surrounding it is the text:

BATALLON CAZADORES
DE
ESTELLA NO 14.

This refers to Regimiento de Cazadores n.º 14 (14th Hunters Regiment), a Spanish Army unit heavily involved in defending Cuba during the Spanish-American War, particularly against American and Cuban forces at Guantánamo Bay, where they fought bravely but ultimately lost the crucial freshwater source at the Battle of Cuzco Well in June 1898, weakening Spanish control and aiding the American invasion.

Condition is very good, with the expected age toning and light wear from service, as shown. There are some small holes in the body, and there is a stitched tear in the top right corner, with the stitching appearing to be of the period. There is stretching of the material, and this example looks to have seen heavy service wear. There is some staining on the body, but overall the colors are very well retained.

A lovely example, ready for further research and display!

The Knapsack Flag is a uniquely Spanish phenomenon, and basically were given to every member of a unit, with the designation printed on it. In Spain it is called a Bandera de Mochila, but is sometimes also referred to as a Bandera de Percha or "hanger flag." Although commonly called a flag, the regulations refer to it as a pañuelo, i.e. a bandana or handkerchief. A list of items to be issued to troops embarking for Cuba published in the January 12, 1898 edition of "Diario Oficial del Ministerio de la Guerra" references the knapsack flag as a pañuelo cubrepercha or "hanger covering bandana." The knapsack flag was first issued in 1860 to the expeditionary forces fighting in North Africa. This tradition of giving every Spanish soldier his own personal flag continued until 1927.