Rough Riders: Col. Theodore Roosevelt's 1st Volunteer Cavalry

		T.R.
.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

The Rough Riders
U.S. Army 1st Volunteer Cavalry
commanded by
Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt

Rough Riders battle at San Juan Hill courtesy of Osprey Publishing

The following is a point-by-point account of the Rough Rider's Charge up San Juan Hill.
The numbers on the description below correspond to the numbers on the map above.
We thank Osprey Publishing for their generous permission to reprint this map
taken from pages 74 and 75 of Angus Konstam's
San Juan Hill 1898: America's Emergence as a World Power
Osprey Military Campaign Series #57

(I) 13:00hrs
After taking heavy casualties for almost two hours, the situation facing the troops and Rough Riders is not improving. A gathering of senior officers meeting behind the Bloody Ford decides that San Juan Heights should be assaulted immediately, to avoid further needless casualties. Messages ordering the assault are immediately sent down the line of troops and Rough Riders. (VI)13:30hrs
Lt. Ord of Gen. Hawkin's Brigade leaps up and leads a renewed charge up Kettle Hill. Once across the open ground, the assaulting troops are protected from Spanish fire by the crest of Kettle Hill itself. As they near the summit the supporting fire ceases.
(II) 13:05hrs
Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders are in reserve facing the Spanish outlying position on Kettle Hill. He orders the regiment forward, and troopers from other cavalry regiments deployed in front of them join in the charge. (VII) 13:30hrs
The Americans crest the hill and storm the defences around the blockhouse. Although many defenders have fled, a few remain to contest their position. Lt. Ord is killed as he jumps over the Spanish trench in front of the blockhouse. Within minutes the defenders are overwhelmed: many retreat, including the wounded Gen. Linares, who has come to observe the battle. The blockhouse is now in American hands.
(III) 13:05hrs
To the left of the charging Rough Riders, the rest of the American line is also moving forward, heading for San Juan Hill. (VIII) 13:35hrs
Theodore Roosevelt on Kettle Hill pleads with his superiors to be allowed to continue the assault against the northern part of San Juan Heights. Gen. Sumner assents, and Roosevelt leads around 500 assorted Rough Riders and cavalrymen down the hill and up the ridge beyond. Fire support is provided from the remaining Rough Riders and cavalrymen on Kettle Hill. After a brief resistance, the Rough Riders capture the ridge: all of the Heights are now held by American troops.
(IV) 13:15hrs
Although the main attack on San Juan Hill is pinned down in the open by the withering Spanish fire, the Rough Riders charging Kettle Hill reach the crest. The outnumbered Spanish defenders retreat back down the other side, heading for the safety of the Heights behind them. With this forward position in Rough Rider hands, the right flank of the advance is secure. (IX) 13:50hrs
The American troops lining San Juan Heights are now in a precarious position. Subjected to increasing fire from the Spanish defending Santiago, they try to dig in as best they can. The exchange of fire will continue for the rest of the day, but the Heights are to remain securely in American hands.
(V) 13:20hrs
Fire support from Lt. Parker's four Gatling guns, positioned in front of the Bloody Ford, pins down the Spanish defenders around the blockhouse on San Juan Hill. Further supporting fire comes from the Rough Riders on Kettle Hill. Roosevelt: Colonel of The Rough Riders
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Theodore Roosevelt: Colonel of The Rough Riders

(I) 13:00hrs After taking heavy casualties for almost two hours, the situation facing the troops and Rough Riders is not improving. A gathering of senior officers meeting behind the Bloody Ford decides that San Juan Heights should be assaulted immediately, to avoid further needless casualties. Messages ordering the assault are immediately sent down the line of troops and Rough Riders.		(VI)13:30hrs Lt. Ord of Gen. Hawkin's Brigade leaps up and leads a renewed charge up Kettle Hill. Once across the open ground, the assaulting troops are protected from Spanish fire by the crest of Kettle Hill itself. As they near the summit the supporting fire ceases.
(II) 13:05hrs Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders are in reserve facing the Spanish outlying position on Kettle Hill. He orders the regiment forward, and troopers from other cavalry regiments deployed in front of them join in the charge.		(VII) 13:30hrs The Americans crest the hill and storm the defences around the blockhouse. Although many defenders have fled, a few remain to contest their position. Lt. Ord is killed as he jumps over the Spanish trench in front of the blockhouse. Within minutes the defenders are overwhelmed: many retreat, including the wounded Gen. Linares, who has come to observe the battle. The blockhouse is now in American hands.
(III) 13:05hrs To the left of the charging Rough Riders, the rest of the American line is also moving forward, heading for San Juan Hill.		(VIII) 13:35hrs Theodore Roosevelt on Kettle Hill pleads with his superiors to be allowed to continue the assault against the northern part of San Juan Heights. Gen. Sumner assents, and Roosevelt leads around 500 assorted Rough Riders and cavalrymen down the hill and up the ridge beyond. Fire support is provided from the remaining Rough Riders and cavalrymen on Kettle Hill. After a brief resistance, the Rough Riders capture the ridge: all of the Heights are now held by American troops.
(IV) 13:15hrs Although the main attack on San Juan Hill is pinned down in the open by the withering Spanish fire, the Rough Riders charging Kettle Hill reach the crest. The outnumbered Spanish defenders retreat back down the other side, heading for the safety of the Heights behind them. With this forward position in Rough Rider hands, the right flank of the advance is secure.		(IX) 13:50hrs The American troops lining San Juan Heights are now in a precarious position. Subjected to increasing fire from the Spanish defending Santiago, they try to dig in as best they can. The exchange of fire will continue for the rest of the day, but the Heights are to remain securely in American hands.
(V) 13:20hrs Fire support from Lt. Parker's four Gatling guns, positioned in front of the Bloody Ford, pins down the Spanish defenders around the blockhouse on San Juan Hill. Further supporting fire comes from the Rough Riders on Kettle Hill.
click the two pictures on the right for a different movie in QuickTime (3 minute download)		Movies require QuickTime click this text for FREE download