Annual Report

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1900
Report of Lieut. General Commanding the Army

Porto Rican Volunteers

There is now in service in Porto Rico a regiment (eight companies) of native troops, half of whom are mounted on native horses. The lieutenant-colonel (commandant), two majors, and two captains are officers of the Regular Army. One of the lieutenants is a Porto Rican, while the remainder of the officers are ex-officers of Volunteers or are ex-noncommissioned officers and privates of the Regular Army.

The first battalion was recruited early in the year 1899, and the mounted in the winter and spring of 1900. The men are armed with the new Springfield rifle and clothed like our regulars and other volunteers.

The experiment of using the natives as soldiers has in Porto Rico proved a very marked success, judging from the appearance of the organization as it is seen on parade, review, march, and in camp.

May 25, 1901

To Retain the Porto Rico Regiment

Washington, May 24. - An order issued at the War Department directs that the present Porto Rico regiment of infantry be retained and reorganized as a provisional regiment of two battalions of four companies each. The regiment will consist of a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, eight Captains, ten First Lieutenants, and eight Second Lieutenants, and 866 enlisted men. The enlisted men of the regiment will be composed of natives of the island as far as practicable.