another Spanish fleet had one been within reach.  At Manila Bay and off Santiago the American fleets were superior to the enemy’s fleets.  But the astounding results of their actions were due mainly to the splendid manner in which the American ships had been cared for and, above all, to the magnificent training and courage of the men behind the guns.  Years of peace had not in any way dimmed the splendid qualities of the American sea-fighters.

[Sidenote:  Military preparations.]

[Sidenote:  The volunteers.]

480.  The American Army.—­Meantime the American soldiers on shore at Santiago were doing their work under great discouragement, but with a valor and stubbornness that will always compel admiration.  While the navy was silently and efficiently increased to be a well-ordered force, the army was not so well managed at first.  Soldiers there were in plenty.  From all parts of the Union, from the South and from the North, from the West and from the East, from the cattle ranches of the plains and the classrooms of the great universities, patriots offered their lives at their country’s call.  But there was great lack of order in the management of the army.  Sickness broke out among the soldiers.  Volunteer regiments were supplied with old-fashioned rifles.  It seemed to be difficult to move one regiment from one place to another without dire confusion.  When the Spanish fleet was shut up in Santiago harbor, a force of fifteen thousand soldiers under General Shafter was sent to capture Santiago itself and make the harbor unsafe for the ships.

[Illustration:  SAN JUAN BLOCKHOUSE SHOWING MARKS OF SHOT.]

[Sidenote:  The landing.]

[Sidenote:  La Guasimas. Source-Book, 380-382.]

[Sidenote:  San Juan and Caney.]

[Sidenote:  Fall of Santiago.]

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 prevent 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 volunteers showed the greatest courage and heroism.  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 terrible.  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 positions commanding the enemy’s lines.  The Spaniards surrendered, and on July 17 the Americans entered the captured city.