The Americans declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898 after the USS Maine exploded in the Havana Harbor. This declaration began the Spanish American War in which led to the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba on July 1, 1898. The United States headed to Cuba with the intention of battling the Spaniards who had taken over Cuba and the Cubans. MAJ General Shafter led the V Corps which consisted of three divisions and one independent brigade. MAJ General Joseph Wheeler commanded the Calvary Division, Brigadier Generals J.F. Kent and H.W. Lawton commanded the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions, and Brigadier General J.C. Bates commanded the Independent Brigade. General Arsenio Linares led the Spaniards in Cuba, and Admiral Sampson was in charge of the Naval Battle ship which carried the V Corps into Cuba. Multiple principles of mission …show more content…
As the soldiers moved towards San Juan and Kettle Hill, the Spaniards hiding in trenches attacked. This caused many more casualties among the Americans and the remaining American troops dropped to the ground and took cover. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt with the Rough Riders empowered men to charge the Spaniards by attacking them directly. Lieutenant Jules Ord with the 1st Brigade ran up the hill to attack the Spaniards and yelled at his men to “follow me! We can’t stay here!” Lieutenant John Parker with the Gatling detachment was a machine gun enthusiast who hurried behind LT Ord. He led his Gatling detachment to conduct shaping operations for LT Ords brigade. With the initiative of these officers and their units, the Spaniards retreated to Santiago, and the Americans won the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898. After accomplishing this mission, MAJ General Shafter was able to seize Santiago. This action caused the Spaniards to retreat to the sea and back to