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African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

Battle of San Juan Hill (1898)

The battle of San Juan Hill was one of the key battles in the Spanish-American War of 1898. It took place on July 1, 1898, and involved heavy casualties on the U.S. side against a vastly outnumbered Spanish force. The U.S. was, however, victorious, and the defeat of the Spanish led the Spanish to ulimately relinquish both Cuba and Puerto Rico as colonial territories.

The Battle of San Juan Hill is notable as being an important battle where African American soldiers were deployed alongside white soldiers. (Specifically, the 10th Cavalry and the 24th Infantry -- both segregated units -- were involved in the battle.) Many African American observers, including several poets whose works are collected on this site, noted the involvement of Black troops with pride.

More on the Battle of San Juan Hill here.

This page is referenced by:

Carrie Williams Clifford, "Foraker and the Twenty-Fifth" (1911)
Editor's Note

Who helped Columbia win the day
At San Juan Hill and El Carney,
When brave men faltered in dismay?
The Twenty-fifth.
Who welcomed then, their timely aid,
Since they to charge were not afraid,
But at the foe like demons made?
   Colonel Roosevelt.

And when the glorious deed was done.
The battles fought and victory won,
Who honor gave to her dark sons?
     The Nation.

Who was it played the scurvy trick,
Who gave the thrust with his Big Stick
That turned br'ght day to darkness thick?
     Our President.

Where is the place was struck the blow.
The deadly, fatal, unjust blow
Our soldier boys' proud heads bowed low?
     At Brownsville.

Discharged without honor or proof of guilt
Was this the goal toward which they'd built.
The end for which their blood they'd spilt?
O, mighty God!

Charged with honor up San Juan Hill:
Discharged without honor at dread Brownsville,
Achieved so grandly — rewarded so ill.
   These patriots.

And did no voice for justice cry,
None dare assail the powers high
That did the grievous wrong — none ? Ay,
Brave Foraker.

Alone he braved the mighty wrath.
Alone he dared the lightning's path ;
Ha! braver champion no man hath
Than Foraker.

Defied alone the soldiers' foes.
Himself bared to the cowards' blows;
The price so nobly paid God knows —
   And Foraker.

He suffered in a righteous cause.
Fought to uphold his country's laws.
And won just men's thund'rous applause.
     Great Foraker.

Wherever black men's hearts beat high
For justice, honor, liberty.
Nor name nor deed shall ever die.
   Of gallant J. B. Foraker.

And if a race's steadfast love
A race's loyalty can prove.
No other name is loved above
   The name of Foraker.

Published in Race Rhymes, 1911
Richard E.S. Toomey, "Progression's Appeal" (1901) PROGRESSION'S APPEAL.

When to Columbia's virgin shore
Adventurous souls from England came,
The Puritans, brave hearts, came o'er
Where spirits quenched might burn and flame.
These pioneers, so hardy-souled,
Through ills of wood and Indian brave,
With hearts determined, zealous, bold,
Accomplished what their spirits crave.
Atlantic's shore soon teemed with life,
Crude governments protection gave.
These earnest souls, inured to strife,
Could ill brook deeds which marked them "Slave.'
Then gathering in "Confederate band, "
Oppression's insults gave the cause,
For mutual aid they take a stand
'Gainst England's many unjust laws.
With blood, these patriots bought release,
Then, high-resolved, seek home once more,
Engage again in arts of peace;
Their hearts elate, the conflict o'er.
Now taught by "Times" the need of strength,
Drawn closer by that zealous band
Whose guidance led through war's drear length,
They form a nation, stable, grand.
Generous meed their plans adorn,
The State, well built, moves on amain;
But in its midst a system's born
To wring Columbia's heart with pain.
This system, grown like vampire dread,
Now seeks from fair Columbia's heart
The blood once rich, no longer red —
Makes wrath which rends the land apart.

Thus reft apart, "Grim-visaged war "
Inspires all hearts to martial strife;
The conflict hangs at equal par
Till erstwhile slaves lay down their life.
Some power thundered in their soul:
"Who would be free must strike the blow!"
Sweet liberty their tongues extol,
Its influence makes their prowess grow.
Such deeds of valor are performed
By those whose manhood is at stake,
In routing foes or strongholds stormed
That Union reigns from Gulf to Lake.
From discord's ashes now, the land
For conquest new, fresh impulse takes;
The North and South march hand in hand
To music new industry makes.
On purposes of peace intent
The calm serenity is broke,
Our neighbors near, by misery bent,
Pray us relief from Spanish yoke.
Straightway our brave sons fly to arms
(Wrought up by Spain's inhuman wrongs),
From desk, from bench, from towns, from farms,
And misery turn to joy and songs.

New deeds of glory now are ours;
At Luzon's shore, on Cuba's isle,
oth Black and White help show our powers
By army and by navy wile.
As was the case in early days,
There Attucks 'mong the first to fall;
So where Death, Bagley's daring stays,
Lies Tunnell pierced by Spanish ball.
Where Santiago stands in view,

When men, like leaves, on San Juan fell,
The Negro troops, brave, loyal, true,
Fought on through what seemed "Ambushed hell."
Our victories on every field
Bring Spain's defeat, her fightings cease;
Where she her cruel power did wield
Columbia rules and all is peace.

By deeds great strength we've shown without;
Let's turn our minds to ills within:
Put lynchings, heinous crimes, to rout
With righteous indignation's din.
Let press and pulpit lead the van,
These cancerous crimes to extirpate,
And sentiment will find some plan
To purge the land, enhance the state.
O land which our affections claim,
Whose aims "The Fathers "well defined,
Let justice deal with all, the same,
Accomplish thou what God designed.
Columbia grand, adorned with might,
Shall not our banner stainless stream?

My countrymen, dare do the right,
Let law and order reign supreme!

Published in Thoughts for True Americans, 1901