(dramatic music) - On 1 July, 1898, America was in the thick of the Spanish-American War, when General William Shafter ordered an attack on the village of El Caney, and to take San Juan Hill in Cuba.

The Spanish had a defense force of approximately 500 soldiers holding San Juan Hill and the Americans had a force of around 8,000 soldiers.

The formidable defenses on San Juan Hill put the American forces in a precarious situation.

Lieutenant John Parker's newly created Gatling Gun Detachment poured suppressing fire on the Spanish positions and it was the first time the US Army used machine guns in a mobile support role.

The suppressing fire allowed the brave Fifth Core including the Buffalo Soldiers and the renowned Rough Riders, led by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, to take the hill.

After the battle of San Juan Hill the American forces were able to surround the capitol and force the Spanish surrender on 13 August, 1898.