It is interesting to consider that the legendary charge up San Juan Hill by Roosevelt's Rough Riders may have been more out of self perservation rather than a planned organized attack.
As the American units waited at the edge of a wooded area below the two American objectives, San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill, they began taking more fire and panic ensued as men fell everywhere. Spanish snipers, in their elevated position, had a clear shot at any cavalryman who stood. A half-hour passed and still no orders arrived to attack. Pulling back was not an option since the trails to their positions were already clogged with men moving forward nor was holding their position under enemy artillery and Mauser fire. Army commanders including Roosevelt knew of only one option and that was to advance or be killed.
Lt. Pershing was amazed and proud at what he saw: "Each officer or soldier next in rank took charge of the line or group immediately in his front or rear and halting to fire at each good opportunity, taking reasonable advantage of cover, the entire command moved forward as calmly as though the buzzing of bullets was the humming of bees. White regiments, black regiments, regulars and Rough Riders, representing the young manhood of the North and the South, fought shoulder to shoulder, unmindful of race and color, unmindful of whether commanded by ex-Confederate or not, and mindful of only their common duty as Americans." |
