Battle of Aibonito Pass
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Battle of Aibonito Pass | |||||||
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Part of the Spanish-American War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Spain | United States | ||||||
Commanders | |||||||
Unknown | James H. Wilson Oswald H. Earnst |
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Strength | |||||||
1,200 | 9,000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
None | 2 killed 4 wounded |
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The Battle of Aibonito Pass, the last battle of the Puerto Rican Campaign of the Spanish-American War, was interrupted by news of the August 13 armistice before its outcome could be decided.
On August 12, United States Generals James H. Wilson and Oswald H. Ernst had deployed two brigades parallel to the Spanish defenses between Barranquitas and Cayey, chief of which were the guns at Aibonito Pass. Following several successful reconnaissance missions to determine enemy strengths and positions, General Wilson ordered an assault against the Spanish flank accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment. Meeting fierce Spanish resistance and defensive artillery fire, the American attacks collapsed, and Wilson settled the troops for the evening.
Early next morning, before renewed assaults could begin, American commanders received telegraphs informing them of the armistice. The battle for Puerto Rico was over.