Battle of Las Guasimas

Infobox Military Conflict|conflict=Battle of Las Guasimas
colour_scheme=background:#ffcccc


caption=A fanciful depiction of the U.S. advance at "Las Guasimas".
partof=the Spanish-American War
date=June 24, 1898
place=Sevilla, near Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
result=Indecisive
combatant1=flagicon|USA|1896 United States
flagicon|Cuba Republic of Cuba
combatant2=flagicon|Spain|1785 Kingdom of Spain
commander1=flagicon|USA|1896 Joseph Wheeler
commander2=flagicon|Spain|1785 Antero Rubín
strength1=1,300 regulars
800 guerrilleros
4 field guns
2 machine guns
strength2=1,500 regulars
2 field guns
casualties1=16 dead 54 wounded
casualties2=10 dead 24 wounded|The Battle of Las Guasimas, the first true clash of arms in the Cuban campaign of the Spanish-American War, was a bloody skirmish which ended indecisively in favor of Spain on June 24, 1898.

Background

A contingent of Spaniards, having fought a skirmish with American landing forces near Siboney, Cuba on June 23, had retired to their lightly entrenched positions at Las Guasimas and repulsed American and Cuban raids with some difficulty. The task of dislodging the enemy fell to former Confederate cavalry officer Major General "Fighting" Joe Wheeler. He was in overall command of the division that included the 1st US Volunteer cavalry, or Rough Riders, 1st Regular Cavalry, and the 10th Regular Cavalry of the African-American Buffalo Soldiers, who marched his force out from Siboney the next day.

Battle

The battle commenced with the opening volley of American artillery. Spanish infantry returned fire, peppering advancing American regiments with rifle shots. Despite the enemy's bright white uniforms, many American troops had difficulty locating Spanish soldiers, whose 1893 Mauser rifles fired modern smokeless propellants. Heavy foliage resulted in only light casualties on both sides.

Having bloodied the advancing Americans to their satisfaction, the Spanish embarked on their planned retreat in the direction of Santiago. American casualties, amounting to almost 10% of those engaged, were fairly heavy considering the battle's short duration.

Aftermath

The American force briefly occupied Las Guasimas in anticipation of a counterattack that never came. Finding the position of minimal strategic importance, they buried their dead and withdrew, plagued by minor outbreaks of influenza.

In fiction

This engagement was featured in the movie "Rough Riders" starring Tom Berenger as Theodore Roosevelt. The film depicts it as an American success.

References

*

External links

* [http://www.spanamwar.com Spanish-American War Centennial Website]