General Shafter officially makes the following reference to his illness at the time:  “My own health was impaired by overexertion in the sun and intense heat of the day before, which prevented me from participating as actively in the battle as I desired; but from a high hill near my headquarters I had a general view of the battlefield, extending from El Caney on the right to the left of our lines on San Juan Hill.  My staff officers were stationed at various points on the field, rendering frequent reports, and through them by the means of orderlies and the telephone, I was enabled to transmit my orders.

“After the brilliant and important victory gained at El Caney, Lawton started his tried troops, who had been fighting all day and marching much of the night before, to connect with the right of the cavalry division.  Night came on before this movement could be accomplished.  In the darkness the enemy’s pickets were encountered, and the Division Commander being uncertain of the ground and as to what might be in his front halted his command and reported the situation to me.  This information was received about 12:30 a. m., and I directed General Lawton to return by my headquarters and the El Pozo House as the only certain way of gaining his new position.

“This was done, and the division took position on the right of the cavalry early next morning, Chaffee’s brigade arriving first, about half-past 7, and the other brigades before noon.”

Of the hottest of the fight on the 1st of July, General Shafter reports:  “Great credit is due to Brigadier-General H. S. Hawkins, who, placing himself between his regiments, urged them on by voice and bugle calls to the attack so brilliantly executed.

“In this fierce encounter words fail to do justice to the gallant regimental commanders and their heroic men, for, while the generals indicated the formations and the points of attack, it was, after all, the intrepid bravery of the subordinate officers and men that planted our colors on the crest of San Juan Hill and drove the enemy from his trenches and blockhouses, thus gaining a position which sealed the fate of Santiago.

“In this action on this part of the field most efficient service was rendered by Lieutenant John H. Parker, Thirteenth Infantry, and the Gatling gun detachment under his command.  The fighting continued at intervals until nightfall, but our men held resolutely to the positions gained at the cost of so much blood and toil.

“I am greatly indebted to General Wheeler, who, as previously stated, returned from the sick list to duty during the afternoon.  His cheerfulness and aggressiveness made itself felt on this part of the battlefield, and the information he furnished to me at various stages of the battle proved to be most useful.”

The report of the General Commanding of the further fighting is a model of forcible brevity, in these paragraphs: 

“Soon after daylight on July 2 the enemy opened battle, but because of the intrenchments made during the night, the approach of Lawton’s division, and the presence of Bates’ brigade, which had taken position during the night on Kent’s left, little apprehension was felt as to our ability to repel the Spaniards.