481 The Santiago Expedition

481. The Santiago Expedition 

 On June 22 and 23 the expedition landed not far to the east of the entrance to Santiago harbor . Steep and high mountains guard this part of the coast . But no attempt was made to pre - vent the landing of the Americans . Dismounted cavalrymen of the regular army and Roosevelt ＇ s Rough Riders , also on foot , at once pushed on toward Santiago . At La Guasimas the Spaniards tried to stop them . But the regulars and the Rough Riders drove them away , and the army pushed on . By June 28 it had reached a point within a few miles of the city . The Spaniards occupied two very strong positions at San Juan ( San Huan ) and Caney . On July 1 they were driven from them . The regulars and the volun - teers showed the greatest courage and hero - ism . They crossed long open spaces in the face of a terrible fire from the Spaniards , who were armed with modern rifles . The rains now set in , and the sufferings of the troops became terri - ble . On July 3 the Spanish fleet sailed out of the harbor to meet its doom from the guns of the American warships . Reinforcements were sent to Shafter , and heavy guns were dragged over the mountain roads and placed in position commanding the enemy ＇ s lines . The Spaniards surrendered , and on July 17 the Americans en - tered the captured city .