The Rough Riders Chronicle

The U.S. declares war on Spain following rising tensions over Cuba's independence and the sinking of the USS Maine.

Theodore Roosevelt resigns from his post as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He teams up with Army surgeon Col. Leonard Wood to form the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry.

Recruitment begins. The Rough Riders draw men from the western frontier, Ivy League colleges, law enforcement, and Native American tribes.

The unit is officially mustered into service at San Antonio, Texas. Nicknamed the "Rough Riders," the men begin intensive drills with outdated equipment and limited horses.

The diverse group trains in cavalry tactics and marksmanship while bonding under the blistering Texas sun.

The Rough Riders are transported to Tampa, Florida — a chaotic hub for the U.S. invasion of Cuba. Supply lines are disorganized, and the Rough Riders' horses are largely left behind.

Roosevelt works tirelessly to secure passage aboard the transport ship Yucatan. The regiment is split during embarkation — some remain behind.

The Rough Riders land at Daiquirí, Cuba. Many soldiers are seasick, and the oppressive heat and dense jungle are immediate challenges.

The Spanish fleet is destroyed in Santiago Bay.

Spanish forces in Santiago formally surrender. The war effectively ends in Cuba.

The Rough Riders — many stricken with malaria, dysentery, and yellow fever — return to the U.S. through Montauk Point, Long Island, where a quarantine camp is established.

Despite their fame, the returning soldiers receive limited medical care and live in difficult conditions under canvas tents.

The Rough Riders are officially mustered out of service. Many return home with lasting health effects.

Roosevelt is back in New York. Capitalizing on his fame, he announces his candidacy for Governor of New York — which he wins in November — launching a political trajectory that leads to the White House.