The Rough Riders of 1898

The Rough Riders — officially the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment — were the only one of three volunteer cavalry regiments raised in 1898 to see action in the Spanish-American War. Assembled from cowboys, college athletes, lawmen, Native Americans, and veterans, they became the most celebrated fighting unit of a generation.

The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War roughly thirty years prior. President William McKinley called upon 1,250 volunteers to assist in the war effort. The regiment was also called "Wood's Weary Walkers" after its first commander, Colonel Leonard Wood — an acknowledgment that despite being a cavalry unit, they ended up fighting on foot as infantry.

Wood's second in command was former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, a man who had pushed hard for American involvement in Cuban independence. When Colonel Wood was promoted to command the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, the regiment became "Roosevelt's Rough Riders" — a term already familiar from Buffalo Bill's famous western show, "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World."

The men were gathered mainly from the Southwest because the hot climate was similar to that of Cuba. As Roosevelt noted: "The difficulty in organizing was not in selecting, but in rejecting men." The allowed limit was promptly met.

One particularly famous recruitment spot was the Menger Hotel Bar in San Antonio, Texas — still open today as a tribute to the Rough Riders, containing uniforms and memorabilia from the regiment and Theodore Roosevelt.

Before training began, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt used his political influence to ensure the regiment would be properly equipped. Private soldiers and non-commissioned officers received the M1892/98 Springfield (Krag) bolt-action rifle in .30 Army caliber, along with Colt .45 revolvers, clothing, shelter-tents, and horse gear. Officers each received a new lever-action M1895 Winchester rifle. The regiment also carried Bowie Hunter knives, and a last-minute gift from a wealthy donor provided a pair of modern tripod-mounted M1895 Colt-Browning machine guns in 7mm Mauser caliber.

Training covered basic military drills, protocol, conduct, obedience, and etiquette. The men were not trained with the saber — instead they relied on carbines and revolvers as primary and secondary weapons. Although most were already experienced horsemen, officers refined their techniques in riding, shooting from horseback, and maneuvering in formations and skirmishes.

On May 29, 1,060 Rough Riders and 1,258 horses and mules made their way to the Southern Pacific railroad to travel to Tampa, Florida. Due to inadequate storage, only eight of the twelve companies were permitted to leave Tampa for Cuba — and most of their horses were left behind.

The regiment landed on Cuban shores on June 23, 1898. Each man carried only a few days' worth of food. Without their horses and untrained for infantry marching, they faced a severe disadvantage in the hot, humid, and dense jungle — before ever seeing combat.

Within a day of making camp, scouts returned with news of a Spanish outpost at Las Guasimas. The Rough Riders were ordered to march and eliminate opposition standing in the path of further advance.

The Spanish held significant advantages: knowledge of local trails, smokeless powder that concealed their positions, and entrenched cover in thick jungle. General Young opened the attack with long-range Hotchkiss guns. Colonel Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt arrived via a more difficult path, going into action with fewer than 500 men.

Using careful observation, officers located the hidden opposition and directed their men effectively. In a remarkable episode, newspaper writer Edward Marshall picked up a rifle and began fighting alongside the men — until he was wounded in the spine. A soldier mistook him for Colonel Wood and reported Wood's death, causing Roosevelt to temporarily assume command as Colonel. The battle lasted an hour and a half.

The Rough Riders were ordered to march eight miles to San Juan Heights, where over 1,000 Spanish soldiers held fortified positions. Originally assigned as a mere distraction while artillery struck from afar, the regiment found itself pinned down along the San Juan River, vulnerable to sniper and artillery fire. Spanish rifles could discharge eight rounds in the time it took American rifles to fire one.

Frustrated with inaction, Roosevelt sent messengers to coax orders to advance. When orders finally came, Roosevelt — mounted on his horse, Texas — rode back and forth urging his men forward. He declared himself the ranking officer and ordered a charge up Kettle Hill. Waving his hat and cheering, he led the way. His men followed with enthusiasm.

The charge was critically supported by three Gatling guns commanded by Lt. John H. Parker, which fired 18,000 rounds into the Spanish trenches atop both hills. Trooper Jesse Langdon later recalled: "We'd never have been able to take Kettle Hill if it hadn't been for Parker's Gatling guns." A Spanish counterattack of 600 infantry was decimated before they closed within 250 yards. Kettle Hill fell within twenty minutes; the rest of San Juan Heights within the hour.

By constricting the ring around Santiago, the Rough Riders and other American units forced the Spanish cruiser fleet to leave port — where the U.S. Navy quickly sank them. Spanish forces in Santiago surrendered on July 17. On August 12, the Spanish Government agreed to an armistice relinquishing Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

On August 14, the Rough Riders landed at Montauk Point, Long Island. Many were stricken with malaria, dysentery, and yellow fever. Despite their fame, they received limited medical care in canvas quarantine tents. Most were nursed back to health over the following weeks, some twenty pounds lighter than when they had departed.

The rest of their time at Montauk was spent in celebration. The regiment was presented with three mascots: a mountain lion named Josephine, a war eagle named in Roosevelt's honor, and a small dog named Cuba. The men also presented Colonel Roosevelt with a bronze cast of Remington's "The Bronco-Buster." Each man walked by and shook his hand in farewell.

On September 15, 1898, all equipment and horses were returned to the U.S. government. The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was officially disbanded. Before the men dispersed to their homes across the country, Roosevelt gave a final speech commending their service and reminding them that, though heroes, they would need to reintegrate into civilian life and work as hard as everyone else.

Many men were unable to reclaim their jobs. Some, due to illness or injury, could not work for extended periods. Wealthier supporters donated money to supplement needy veterans — many of whom were too proud to accept the help.

The Spanish-American War began a lasting trend of United States intervention in foreign affairs. For Theodore Roosevelt, the charge up Kettle Hill launched him toward the Governor's mansion in Albany and, ultimately, the White House. The spirit of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment — courage, diversity, and bold leadership — lives on today in the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment – Rough Riders, Inc. of Tampa, Florida.