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This energetic chromolithograph, dated June 24, 1898, and copyrighted by Kurz & Allison, is a vivid depiction of the Rough Riders' first encounter during the Spanish-American War. This encounter was significant for the action near Santiago de Cuba, with American forces routing a larger contingent of Spaniards in ambush.
The Battle of La Quasina (or Las Guasimas) marked the first combat engagement of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, famously known as the "Rough Riders," led by Colonel Leonard Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. This artwork encapsulates the raw dynamism of the battle.
The chromolithograph offers a dramatic interpretation of the battlefield, with U.S. troops actively firing and falling in the foreground. It highlights an officer rallying the troops forward with the American flag and another on horseback, sabre drawn, leading his men onward. This intense imagery represents the valor and determination of the U.S. forces during the conflict.
While the visual representation of the Battle of La Quasina may not be entirely accurate—warfare is seldom as orderly and clear-cut as presented here—this chromolithograph nonetheless provides a valuable insight into the period's popular perception of this pivotal battle. It is an artifact that speaks to the narratives and sentiments surrounding the Spanish-American War at the turn of the 19th century.
In conclusion, this Kurz & Allison chromolithograph offers not just a vibrant depiction of a historical event, but also serves as a reflection of the public mood and nationalistic fervor during the Spanish-American War era. It holds historical significance, both as a representation of a key military engagement and as a piece of cultural memorabilia.
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