Spanish-American War Centennial

Just as Feb. 15 was a “A Day to Remember the Maine” (editorial, Feb. 15), July 1 will be a special day to remember the Battle of San Juan Heights and El Caney, the climactic battle of the Spanish-American War. The Times is correct in stating that 100 years ago an explosion aboard the battleship Maine “set in motion events that would swiftly make the U.S. a world power.”

The American heroes who brought this historic victory to the U.S. were soldiers of the U.S. V Corps who won the Battle of San Juan Heights and El Caney on July 1, 1898, and the sailors of the U.S. Atlantic fleet who sank four armored cruisers and three torpedo-boat destroyers of Spain’s Atlantic battle squadron on July 3--all near Santiago de Cuba.

The 1st Infantry Division (the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 21st, and black 24th U.S. Infantry regiments, and the 71st New York Infantry Regiment) charged up San Juan Hill. The dismounted Cavalry Division (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, black 9th and black 10th U.S. Cavalry regiments, and the 1st Volunteer “Roughriders” Cavalry Regiment) charged up adjacent Kettle Hill. And the 2nd Infantry Division (the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, and black 25th U.S. Infantry regiments, and the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment) took El Caney. The latter stage of the charge up San Juan Hill was led by black 24th Infantrymen who took the main Spanish stronghold atop the hill (whereupon, their regiment was officially nicknamed “The Blockhouse Regiment”). At El Caney, the main Spanish stronghold was taken by 12th Infantrymen and black 25th Infantrymen.

Just as we have long recognized as heroes 260 sailors who were lost on the Maine, now, 100 years later, it is time we finally also recognize the heroes of the Battle of San Juan Heights and El Caney--brave black and white American soldiers, together.

DAVID K. CARLISLE

Los Angeles

* I must agree that for Filipinos, the Spanish-American War only resulted in the exchange of one colonial master for another. As a result of American intervention and Spanish complicity, the Philippines were passed from a once world power to a future world power. Filipinos have often described their colonial experience as having spent 300 years in a convent and 50 years in Hollywood.

The sinking of the Maine in Havana Harbor 100 years ago began a chain of events that catapulted the U.S. squarely into Philippine history, curtailing the young nation’s struggle for independence. In 1898, the Filipinos were well on their way to establishing the first independent republic in Asia. Moreover, it probably would have been a uniquely Spanish-speaking country in Asia. Consequently, the Philippine psyche is an interesting blend of Malay, Madrid and Madison Avenue.

EDMUNDO ANCIANO

Los Angeles