The Battle of Tayacoba was a disastrous American effort to land supplies and reinforcements to Cuban rebels fighting for their independence in the Spanish_American War. Repulsed at the port of Cienfuegos on June 29, the American force aboard the USS Florida went ashore near Tayacoba the following day.
Prior to the drop off of mules, men, and war materiel, a small landing party was dispatched to provide reconnaissance on Spanish outposts in the area. Rowing onto the beach, the force crept into the jungle but was discovered by Spanish scouts and soon scathed by enemy fire. Unable to retaliate or even protect themselves, the Americans retreated onto the beach only to find that their ships had been scuttled by Spanish cannon fire.
Out on the Florida, Lieutenant Johnson began organizing rescue attempts. The first four were dispersed by heavy enemy fire and forced to retreat, but the fifth, operating under cover of darkness and crewed by only four men of the U.S. 10th Cavalry, successfully located and repatriated American and Cuban survivors.
Its men safely aboard, the Florida promptly left the bay of Tayacoba.
All four rescuers, Dennis Bell, William Thompkins, Fitz Lee, and George Wanton, were subsequently awarded Medals of Honor for their heroism.
The Battle of Tayacoba was a disastrous American effort to land supplies and reinforcements to Cuban rebels fighting for their independence in the Spanish-American War.
Prior to the drop off of mules, men, and war materiel, a small landing party was dispatched to provide reconnaissance on Spanish outposts in the area.
The first four were dispersed by heavy enemy fire and forced to retreat, but the fifth, operating under cover of darkness and crewed by only four men of the U.S. 10th Cavalry, successfully located and repatriated American and Cuban survivors.
Throughout the day, indeed throughout the days of ground war that followed, it was commonplace for the commanding officers to lead from the forefront of the battle, often at greater peril than that of their enlisted soldiers.
Refusing medical attention, the intrepid volunteer continued to battle, receiving wounds in the hip, a second wound to the neck (the bullet remained lodged against the bones), his left hand, scalp, and a third neck wound.
Back at Tayacoba, darkness was falling as the surrounded Americans on shore hid along the lagoon to hope and pray for a miracle.
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