Battle of San Juan Hill Postcard

The Battle of San Juan Hill was a pivotal engagement during the Spanish-American War, fought on July 1, 1898, near Santiago de Cuba in the southeastern part of Cuba. It was a critical moment in the war as American forces sought to capture key positions around Santiago, which was held by the Spanish. Led by then-Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit, along with other U.S. forces, including the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry, played a significant role in the battle. The Battle of San Juan Hill began with a coordinated assault by American forces against well-entrenched Spanish positions on the hills surrounding Santiago. The fighting was intense, but the American troops, including Roosevelt's Rough Riders, demonstrated exceptional bravery and determination as they charged uphill against withering enemy fire. Their success in capturing key positions, including San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill, significantly contributed to the eventual surrender of the Spanish forces in Santiago. The victory at San Juan Hill, along with the simultaneous naval victory in the Battle of Santiago, marked a turning point in the Spanish-American War, eventually leading to the signing of the Treaty of Paris later that year, which concluded the conflict and granted the United States control over several territories, including Cuba and Puerto Rico. The battle also played a crucial role in elevating Theodore Roosevelt's reputation, eventually propelling him to the presidency of the United States.