Hamilton S. Hawkins

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Hamilton Smith Hawkins
1834-1910
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Union Army
Rank	Major General
Battles/wars	American Civil War Spanish-American War

Hamilton Smith Hawkins (1834-1910) was a United States general during the Spanish-American War.

Hawkins graduated from West Point in 1855 and served in the Union army during the Civil War.

On May 4, 1898, he was appointed brigadier general in the volunteer army and was in command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, VII Corps stationed in Tampa, Florida when the Spanish-American War began. He was transferred to command the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps and sailed to Cuba. His brigade landed as Daiguiri, was lightly engaged in the fighting at the Battle of Las Guasimas and spearheaded the assault at the Battle of San Juan Hill. While the main U.S. attack was pinned down under Spanish artillery on San Juan Hill, Hawkins rushed to the front of his brigade yelling "Come on! Come on!" and led his troops up the hill where he was severely wounded near the crest. On October 4, 1898 he was appointed major general of volunteers and returned to the United States.