Hamilton Fish II, of of the Rough Riders, a wealthy young New Yorker, became a Sergeant in the 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry, charged San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders and during the maneuver is said to be the first American killed in the battle, formerly known as the battle of Las Guasimas, at Santiago, Cuba, (Spanish-American War) on June 24, 1898. He died of a gunshot to the heart. Fish was a graduate of Columbia University. Roosevelt and the Rough Riders atop San Juan Heights, 1898 The Rough Riders was the name bestowed by the American press on the 1st U.S. ... Roosevelt and the Rough Riders atop San Juan Heights, 1898 The Rough Riders was the name bestowed by the American press on the 1st U.S. ... Combatants United States Republic of Cuba Philippine Republic Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Casualties 3,289 U.S. dead (only 432 from combat); considerably higher although undetermined Cuban and Filipino casualties Unknown[1] The Spanish... Columbia University is a private research university in the United States. ...

Fish was son of diplomat and banker Nicholas Fish and grandson of the 26th U.S. Secretary of State, Hamilton Fish. He is not to be confused with his uncle, also named Hamilton Fish II, later a Congressman. Hamilton Fish Hamilton Fish, (3 August 1808–7 September 1893), born in New York City, was an American statesman who served as Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. ... Hamilton Fish II (April 17, 1849 - January 15, 1936) born in Albany NY, was the son of prominent Whigg/Republican politician Hamilton Fish. ...

Fish was not the only soldier from a prominent family in the unit: "...To this rugged crew, Roosevelt added some 50 men with backgrounds closer to his own: Ivy Leaguers from wealthy Eastern families. In citing their qualifications for active duty, Roosevelt touted their athletic accomplishments. Dudley Dean was ``perhaps the best quarterback who ever played on a Harvard 11. Bob Wrenn was ``the champion tennis player of America. Other Easterners included ``Waller, the high jumper; Craig Wadsworth, the steeplechase rider; Joe Stephens, the crack polo player; and Hamilton Fish, the ex-captain of the Columbia crew. [1]

Trivia

A dog given as a present by Teddy Roosevelt to Hamilton Fish became the mascot of Company B of the Rough Riders and a canine celebrity after the war. The animal, name 'Don' reportedly also rushed up San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders. Don's subsequent owners were Col. William Wallace, then when Wallace died, Wallace’s physician, a Dr. Hadley. A contemporary account stated that "Since that time the big dog had had the freedom of the Quaker town (of Whittier), and had never walked through the streets without receiving much attention from small boys and girls to those of larger growth.” Death came from “a big touring car containing four persons, going around a corner at so high a speed that the old dog, which was walking quietly along, could not get out of its way.” [2]

References

• Picture of Sgt. Fish in account of battle by fellow officer Meyer Hurwitz: [3]
• [4] National Archives account
• Additional narrative account
• Troop Muster with cause of death [5]
• Detailed account of the battle citing Fish's death at: [6]
• [7] Online edition of the History of New York State, Book XI, Chapter 6, Part 2, editor, Dr. James Sullivan.
• Additional account of the battle citing Fish's death at: [8]