Battle of El Caney

Battle of El Caney
Part of the Spanish–American War
The Capture of El Caney, Howard Chandler Christy
Date July 1, 1898 Location El Caney, Cuba Result American victory[1]
Belligerents
United States Cuban rebels	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Henry Lawton	Joaquín Vara de Rey † Salvador Díaz Ordóñez WIA
Strength
18,000[2][3] 4 field guns	500[2][4] 2 field guns
Casualties and losses
1,300 dead and wounded[3]: 137	38 killed 138 wounded 160 captured[2]

The Battle of El Caney was fought on July 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. 600 Spanish soldiers held for twelve hours, until they ran out of ammunition, against Henry W. Lawton's 5th US Division, made up of 6,899 men. This action temporarily delayed the American advance on the San Juan Hills, as had been requested of General William Rufus Shafter.^[3]: 131 Nevertheless, American forces advanced on San Juan Hill the same day. Though encountering spirited resistance similar to El Caney, the Americans were ultimately victorious, culminating in the capitulation of the Spanish garrison.^[5]