In this manner several regiments had succeeded in passing the 25th Infantry by the morning of June 24th.

At that time the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders) was leading the march.
THE FIRST BATTLE.
[Illustration: Charge on El Caney--Twenty-Fifth Infantry.] On the morning of June 24th the Rough Riders struck camp early, and was marching along the trail at a rapid gait, at "route step," in any order suitable to the size of the road.

Having marched several miles through a well-wooded country, they came to an opening near where the road forked.

They turned into the left fork; at that moment, without the least warning, the Cubans leading the march having passed on unmolested, a volley from the Spanish behind a stone fort on top of the hill on both sides of the road was fired into their ranks.

They were at first disconcerted, but rallied at once and began firing in the direction from whence came the volleys.