(MILITARY--SPANISH AMERICAN WAR.) The Battle of Quasimas Near Santiago. June 24th 1898. The 9th and 10th Colored Calvary in Support of Rough Riders * Charge of the 24th and 25th Colored Infantry and Rescue of Rough Riders at San Juan Hill. July 2nd, 1898. 2 chromolithograph prints, 19 3/4x27 1/2 inches; matted and framed; dampstain on second print. Chicago: Kurz & Allison, 1899
Two powerful images from the Spanish-American War. The first shows the first land conflict of the war, The Battle of Las Quasimas, led by Major General Joseph Wheeler a former Confederate officer, a depiction of the 9th and 10th Cavalries (better known as the Buffalo Soldiers) and the Rough Riders, or the 1st Volunteer Calvary advancing towards the Spanish troops bunkered down in trenches. In Theodore Roosevelt's book, "The Rough Riders," he insists that despite the Spaniards having superior weaponry, "the men followed their leaders with the splendid courage always shown by the American regular soldier. There was not a single straggler among them." The battle ended in the retreat of the Spanish infantry. The second image illustrates the Battle of San Juan Hill, which is considered to be one of the bloodiest and most decisive battles in the conflict. Commander Roosevelt declared the battle to be the greatest victory for his Rough Riders despite claims that the Buffalo Soldiers saw most of the action as they were among the first commanded to seize the hill.
