LTC John H. Patterson

Lieutenant Colonel John Patterson had been second-in-command of the 22nd Infantry
for some years, when, on June 14, 1898, the regiment sailed onboard the Orizaba for Cuba.
On June 20, COL Wikoff received orders relieving him of command of the 22nd,
and giving him command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps.
LTC Patterson assumed command of the 22nd, and led them ashore at Daiquiri on June 22,
thus being in command of the first US Army regiment to unfurl its colors on Cuban soil.

The 22nd Infantry led the advance toward Santiago, and was part of Lawton's Division
which was sent north to secure the garrisoned city of El Caney,
which guarded the northeastern approaches to Santiago itself.

In the battle for El Caney the 22nd Infantry was positioned west of the city,
to prevent the Spaniards from retreating to Santiago, some three miles away.
The 1st Battalion of the 22nd, led by Company A, approached the outskirts of El Caney
and were within 1000 yards of the city when they received intense fire
from the Mauser rifles of the Spaniards.

LTC Patterson was with 1st Battalion at this time and was severely wounded
by the sudden enemy attack. Major Van Horne then assumed command of the regiment.

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