Siboney,
A seaport town in the province of
Santiago de Cuba, a few miles west of Daiquiri.
In the
American-Spanish War the greater part of the
American army was landed at Daiquiri, and the remaining portion at Siboney.
The disembarkation of the army at Daiquiri was begun on June 22, and by the evening of the 24th all the troops of this contingent were on shore.
The Spanish troops made but little resistance.
On the 23d
General Lawton's division reached Siboney, and on the following day pushed forward so that
General Kent's division might immediately occupy the place.
In these early movements the
Americans were greatly assisted by a body of Cubans.
General Shafter planned that
General Lawton's division should take a strong defensive position on the road from Siboney to
Santiago;
Kent's division was to be held near
Santiago;
Bates's brigade was to support
Lawton; and
Wheeler's cavalry division was to be in the rear on the road from Daiquiri to Siboney.
On the 23d-24th, however,
General Young's brigade, of
Wheeler's division, passed
Lawton, and was therefore in the advance early the next morning.
This brigade consisted of part of the 10th United States Cavalry and two battalions of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders). On the road to
Santiago, and about 3 miles from Siboney, was the strong natural position called Las Guasimas, where the Spaniards were posted in considerable strength, but after an obstinate resistance they were driven from their position (see
Las Guasimas). It was for the purpose of having a consultation with
General Shafter, then in headquarters at Siboney, that
Rear-Admiral Sampson, with his flag-ship, the
New York, left the fleet blockading the entrance to the harbor of
Santiago, and was thus absent from the opening scene of the great naval engagement of July 3.
See
El Caney;
San Juan Hill;
Spain, War with. 
