About four miles away was San Juan Hill, with more formidable works straddling the main road which led to Santiago.

Opposite El Caney, General Lawton was in command of about seven thousand Americans.

The fight here began at half-past six in the morning, but the American artillery was placed at too great a distance to be very effective.

The result was a long and galling exchange of rifle firing, which is apt to prove trying to raw troops.

The infantry, however, advanced with persistency and showed marked personal initiative as they pushed forward under such protection as the brush and grass afforded until they finally rushed a position which gave opportunity to the artillery.