THE BATTLE OF THE GUAMANÍ RIVER (GUAYAMA, PUERTO RICO, AUGUST 6-9, 1898)

"The Puerto Rican Campaign was an American military sea and land operation on the island of Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War. The offensive began on May 12, 1898, when the United States Navy attacked the archipelago's capital, San Juan. Though the damage inflicted on the city was minimal, the Americans were able to establish a blockade in the city's harbor, San Juan Bay. On June 22, the cruiser Isabel II and the destroyer Terror delivered a Spanish counterattack, but were unable to break the blockade and the Terror was damaged.

The United States was able to seize control of Fajardo on August 1, but were forced to withdraw on August 5 after a group of 200 Puerto Rican-Spanish soldiers led by Pedro del Pino gained control of the city, while most civilian inhabitants fled to a nearby lighthouse. The Americans encountered larger opposition as they advanced towards the main island's interior. They engaged in two crossfires in Guamani River."*

"On August 6, Colonel Coit sent two companies of the 4th Ohio on a reconnaissance mission across and beyond a cast iron bridge that crossed the Río Guamamí (Guamani River). The road beyond the bridge was essential for General Hains' projected advance to the T own of Cayey.[16] The 4th Ohio observed elements of Spain's 6th Provisional Battalion entrenched in Guamaní Heights, six miles north of the bridge. The 4th felt that they were too strongly entrenched to attempt an assault at the time. The 4th Ohio requested reinforcements and on August 9, attacked the Spaniards and a short firefight erupted. The numerical superiority of the Americans forced the Spanish to retreat from Guamaní Heights. This battle was the costliest battle yet for the Americans since their landing at Guánica, as it resulted in seven wounded. The Spanish forces suffered 2 dead and 15 wounded."**

El puente del río Guamaní queda en la carretera #15, Guayama - Cayey, antes de subir hacia las tierras de Jájome, fue escenario de una batalla decisiva durante la guerra del '98.

Quiénes de esa zona sirvieron en el ejercito español o como parte de las defensas civiles....Yo no dudo que con lo fornida y cerrera que era, y nacionalista, que Tía Geña, mi tía "bien mayor"  tirara su piedra o escondiera a los soldados en huida.

*https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_Campaign#Battle_of_Guamani
**https://worldhistoryproject.org/1898/8/6/battle-of-guamani-river-bridge