Battle of Coamo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Battle of Coamo
Part of the Spanish-American War
Date August 9, 1898 Location Coamo, Puerto Rico Result American victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Spain	United States
Commanders
Unknown	James H. Wilson Oswald H. Ernst
Strength
Unknown	3,500
Casualties and losses
6 dead 35 wounded	1 dead 10 wounded

v • d • e Puerto Rican Campaign San Juan - Second San Juan – Third San Juan - Yauco – Guayama – Guamani – Coamo – Silva Heights – Aibonito Pass

The Battle of Coamo was a military engagement of the Spanish-American War.

Following a short siege of the town, the battle itself commenced. It was an American effort to encircle and destroy the Spanish garrison at Coamo, Puerto Rico, one of the last Spanish bastions south of San Juan.

While his artillery battered and distracted Spanish defenses, General James H. Wilson infiltrated the 16th Pennsylvania Volunteers around the far side of the city, hoping to trap the Spanish and subject them to a crossfire.

The Pennsylvanians' rear assault was rapidly reinforced by the bulk of Wilson's army under General Oswald H. Ernst, whose charge tried to close the pincers on the Spanish defenders.

Realizing their situation, however, the Spanish withdrew from Coamo. American attempts to pursue the Spanish units retreating north to San Juan were abandoned in the face of heavy fire at Aibonito Pass.