The Reconstruction of the Cuban Armed Forces 225occupation this group changed, but there were never more
than nine officers in the detail. Though the officers were only
to train and advise, both Dougherty and Wittenmyer took
part in bandit chases during their tours.^12
To use the Rural Guard most effectively, the American
advisers retained the Guard's pre-revolt deployment. This
return to the scattered post system was based on the assump
tion that the Army of Cuban Pacification served as a ready
field force and that the small posts were consistent with the
Guard's mission. Nonetheless, a reserve force of one hundred
men was planned for each provincial capital, but for lack of
troops was not constituted until late in the occupation. The
three Guard regiments (each with eight mounted and two
foot companies numbering around 1,700 men) handled a
two-province area of responsibility. The bulk of the Guard
was stationed in sugar growing areas.^13 The First Regiment
manned 15 posts in Pinar del Rio and Havana provinces;
the Second Regiment, 26 in Matanzas and Santa Clara; the
Third Regiment, 101 posts in Camaguey and Oriente. During
the winter of 1906-7, training and reorganization progressed
rapidly enough to allow each regiment to increase its posts.
By September, 1907, the Rural Guard had more than doubled
its stations.^14
A sharp drop in non-effectives and discharges by mid-1907
reflected the Guard's improved morale. Though the pay was
low, quarters unappealing, and discipline capricious, the
Guard's losses from desertion, court-martials, and discharges
for unfitness dropped from 285 in 1906 (including 64 men
who defected to the Liberals) to almost half that after six
months of tutelage. The American advisers reported that
improved morale was due to the Guard officers' increased
concern for the men's welfare, and the excellent example
set by the Army of Cuban Pacification.^15
The Guard's readiness was increased by redistributing its
weapons and improving its communications. To reduce supply
problems, each regiment received one standard weapon, either
the Remington-Lee .30 cal. rifle, the Winchester .44 cal. car
bine, or the Mauser 7mm. rifle. To offset the widespread