Existing comment:
"Where did my courage come from? It came from our 'war chief' Captain Ayres. ... I took the two sets of colors and ran, calling as I ran "Dress on the colors, boys! Dress on the colors!"
-- Color Sgt. George Berry, Troop G, 10th Cavalry, 1898 who carried the colors of the 10th Cavalry and the 3rd Cavalry after their color sergeant was shot in the stomach, in the charge up San Juan Hill.
Over 3,000 African-American soldiers fought in Cuba, but not without controversy. The African-American community at large was experiencing significant discrimination in the North, and segregation, intimidation, and death by lynching in the South. The following editorial summarizes African-American community feelings just prior to the war:
"If the government wants our support and services, let us demand and get a guarantee for our safety and protection at home... When we are guaranteed freedom and equality before the law, as other American citizens, then we will have the right, as such, to take up arms in defense of our country."
-- The Indianapolis Freeman, March 18, 1898
Despite the equality issues on the home front, Troopers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry went on to fight in the battle of San Juan Hill, alongside Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, in Santiago, Cuba. The conduct of the soldiers was so heroic nine soldiers from the 10th Cavalry were recommended for the Medal of Honor, including 1st Sgt. Adam Houston and Sgt. Maj. Edward Lee Baker, Jr., who in time attained the rank of Captain in the US Army. |