The Rough Riders’ Charge Up San Juan Hill
In the battle to take the Spanish-held heights outside Santiago de Cuba on July 1, 1898, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt–shown here with some of his Rough Riders–was unsatisfied with the lack of clear orders and decided to lead a charge up San Juan Hill himself. At first, Regular troops were resistant to following a volunteer officer, but Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt and his eager Rough Riders managed to rally enough troops and convince enough officers to charge. By nightfall, the Spaniards had retreated and the heights overlooking Santiago were in American hands. On July 17, the Spaniards capitulated, giving Santiago to the Americans.
Photo: Library of Congress
