U.S. troop strength was 20,851 at the start of hostilities on Feb. 4, 1899; the average strength was 40,000 during the 40-month war (peaking in 1900 to 2,367 officers and 71,727 enlisted men). They usually wore blue or brown uniforms which were made to light to withstand the heat. Their usual weapons were a Lee Winchester or a Springfield rifle (sometimes with a bayonet)