Siege of Santiago

Siege of Santiago
Part of the Spanish–American War
American trenches on San Juan Hill during the siege
Date July 3–17, 1898 Location Santiago, Cuba Result Decisive U.S./Cuban victory
Belligerents
United States Republic of Cuba	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
William Rufus Shafter Nelson A. Miles William T. Sampson Calixto Garcia	José Toral y Velázquez
Strength
13,000 infantry 4,000–6,000 guerrilleros	13,500 infantry
Casualties and losses
1,614 dead or wounded	2,000 dead or wounded 11,500 captured

The Siege of Santiago also known as the Siege of Santiago de Cuba was the last major operation of the Spanish–American War on the island of Cuba. This action should not be confused with the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba.

The primary objective of the American Fifth Army Corps' invasion of Cuba was the capture of the city of Santiago de Cuba. U.S. forces had driven back the Spaniards' first line of defense at the Battle of Las Guasimas, after which General Arsenio Linares pulled his troops back to the main line of defense against Santiago along San Juan Heights. In the charge at the Battle of San Juan Hill U.S. forces captured the Spanish position. At the Battle of El Caney the same day, U.S. forces took the fortified Spanish position and were then able to extend the U.S. flank on San Juan Hill. The destruction of the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba allowed U.S forces to safely besiege the city.

On July 3, 1898, the same day as the naval battle, Major General William "Pecos Bill" Shafter began the siege of Santiago. Shafter fortified his position on San Juan Heights. General Henry W. Lawton's division moved up from El Caney extending the U.S. right flank to the north. To the northwest, Cuban rebels under the command of Calixto Garcia extended the U.S. line to the bay. General Arsenio Linares had been severely wounded at the Battle of San Juan Hill and was replaced by General José Toral y Velázquez. Toral had a good defensive position and Shafter knew he would sustain severe casualties from a frontal assault.

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