Roosevelt reacts to the deployment with excitement. He admonishes the troops harshly when one of his horses drowns as they disembark. However, he demands speed when they slowly unload Roosevelt's second mount. American troops take the town of Daiquiri without gunfire. Once on land, however, the commanders fail to agree on strategy. Roosevelt's cavalry joins an excruciating seven-mile hike to the town of Siboney. Despite a nearly silent advice, they fall prey to sniper fire at Las Guasimas. Though they suffer many casualties, Roosevelt fights fearlessly and emerges victorious and unscathed.
The troops gather in Siboney to recuperate. Roosevelt observes all manner of scavengers, from crabs to vultures to natives, who steal anything worthwhile from the bodies. Roosevelt demands beans for his ailing troops. Amid.....
