e forward. Whatever may have
been the intention of the commanding general as to the
part to be played by the cavalry division on that day, the 10
officers present were not long in deciding the part their
command should play, and the advance began.

White regiments, black regiments, regulars and rough
riders, representing the young manhood of the North and
South, fought shoulder to shoulder unmindful of race or 15
color, unmindful of whether commanded by an ex-Confederate
or not, and mindful only of their common duty as
Americans.

Through streams, tall grass, tropical undergrowth, under
barbed-wire fences and over wire entanglements, regardless 20
of casualties, up the hill to the right this gallant advance
was made. As we appeared on the crest we found the
Spaniards retreating only to take up a new position farther
on, spitefully firing as they retired and only yielding their
ground inch by inch. 25

Our troopers halted and lay down for a moment to get
a breath and in the face of continued volleys soon formed
for attack on the blockhouses and intrenchments on the
second hill. This attack was supported by troops including
some of the Tenth who had originally moved to the left 30
toward this second hill and had worked their way in groups,
slipping through the tall grass and bushes, crawling when
casualties came too often, courageously facing a sleet of
bullets, and now hugging the steep southern declivity
ready to spring forward the few remaining yards into the
teeth of the enemy. The fire from the Spanish position
had doubled in intensity until the popping of their rifles 5
made a continuous roar. There was a moment's lull and
our line moved forward to the charge across the valley
separating the two hills. Once begun it continued dauntless
in its steady, dogged, persistent advance until like a
mighty resistless torrent it dashed triumphant over the 10
crest of the hill, and firing a final volley at the vanishing
foe, planted the regimental colors on the enemy's breastworks
and the Stars and Stripes over the blockhouse on
San Juan Hill to stay.

This was a time for rejoicing. It was glorious. 15

--_From an address given in
Chicago,