During the Spanish-American War, the first battle involving Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders took place on June 24, 1898. Author Stephen Crane said “Teddy’s Terrors” were full of adventure as they set out that morning. “Babbling joyously, arguing, recanting, and laughing.” However, the laughter ended near Las Guasimas, where Spanish gunfire led to a fierce engagement that lasted more than two hours. It was the first land battle of the war.