Ord is killed as he jumps over the Spanish trench in front of the blockhouse. The blockhouse is now in American hands. To the left of the charging Rough Riders, the rest of the American line is also moving forward, heading for San Juan Hill. Roosevelt on Kettle Hill pleads with his superiors to be allowed to continue the assault against the northern part of San Juan Heights. Gen. Sumner assents, and Roosevelt leads around 500 assorted cavalrymen down the hill and up the ridge beyond.
Fire support is provided from the remaining cavalrymen on Kettle Hill.
Although the main attack on San Juan Hill is pinned down in the open by the withering Spanish fire, the cavalrymen charging Kettle Hill reach the crest. The outnumbered Spanish defenders retreat back down the other side, heading for the safety of the Heights behind them. With this forward position in American hands, the right flank of the advance is secure. The American soldiers lining San Juan Heights are now in a precarious position. Subjected to increasing fire from the Spanish defending Santiago, they try to dig in as best they can.