Background
John William Heard was born on Woodstock Plantation, near Senatobia, Mississippi.
John William Heard was born on Woodstock Plantation, near Senatobia, Mississippi.
United States Military Academy.
He was appointed to West Point, graduating with the class of 1883. Heard deployed to Cuba as part of the 3rd United States Cavalry. He departed Florida with his unit and 40-50 Cuban soldiers, landing near the mouth of the Mani-Mani River near Bahia Hondo, west of Havana.
A force of nearly 1,000 Spanish Cavalry charged Heard"s vastly outnumbered force as they were unloading supplies on the beach.
Heard"s command of his men halted the Spanish force"s charge and caused them to fall back. Heard successfully regrouped his men and had them reboard their ship, evacuating all of his soldiers and wounded, leaving no one behind.