Spanish-American War: To the Top of San Juan Hill

July 1, 1898 - American troops win the Battle of San Juan Hill. Having landed in Cuba in late June 1898, American forces under Maj. Gen. William Shafter began pushing towards Santiago de Cuba. Seeking to attack the Spanish position on the San Juan Heights, Shafter first diverted a division to assault the strongpoint at El Caney. As this attack went forward, he advanced infantry and dismounted cavalry towards San Juan. Holding them in place, despite being under fire, Shafter wished to await the return of the troops at El Caney before moving forward. Taking casualties, the commanders at the base of the San Juan Heights elected to commence the attack. While infantry on the left stormed the heights directly, cavalry, including Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough Riders," first moved up Kettle Hill before assaulting the heights. Leading from the front, Roosevelt was subsequently nominated for the Medal of Honor. The capture of the heights worked to close the ring around the city and it surrendered on July 17 after brief siege.

Photograph Courtesy of the Library of Congress