…and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, also known as “Wood’s Weary Walkers,” were the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and are famously known for the Battle of San Juan Hill. (1)
There were raised specifically for the 1898 Spanish-American War, one of three cavalry units.
The Rough Riders were the only ones to see any action during the war.
In the years after the American Civil War, the US Military had dwindled down severely and was extremely understaffed.
President William McKinley called up some 125,000 volunteers for the Spanish-American War.
The volunteers from the south west part of the USA were cowboys and ranchers, and they were sent to the three cavalry units.
The regiment was under the command of Colonel Leonard Wood, a former Army Doctor.
“Wood’s Weary Walkers” was a name attached to the 1st Cavalry unit, because despite being a cavalry unit with horses, they ended up doing battle as foot soldiers and infantry. (2)
Colonel Leonard Wood’s second in command was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, the former Assistant Secretary of the US Navy.
Colonel Leonard Wood then went on to become commander of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, and the 1st Brigade was taken over by TR.
The Brigade became known as Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
It is thought the nickname stemmed from Buffalo Bill’s famous traveling western show of the day, the “Buffalo Bill Wild West & Congress of Rough Riders of the World.” (3)
The Rough Riders included the outdoorsmen, ranchers, and cowboys, and even miners and college athletes, and they were very good horsemen.
There were even some Native Americans, policemen, and soldiers, all of whom could ride a horse and shoot a gun.
The equipment consisted of Bowie knives and the Model 1896 .30 caliber carbine gun, (Colt Single Action Army Revolvers), horse gear, saddles, tents, and clothing for the men.
They also secured two tripod-mounted, gas-operated, 7 MM Mauser caliber M 1895 Colt-Browning machine guns. (4)
The Rough Riders sported a unique cowboy-cavalry look with a “rough and tumble” appearance of boots and leggings, brown trousers, and a blue flannel shirt, all topped off with a slouch hat and a handkerchief tied loosely about the neck. (5)
Most of the men were experienced riders already, but the techniques were refined through military protocols, drills, practicing in formation and shooting on horseback.
The Rough Riders left by train on May 29, 1898, from the south west region of the US, and headed to Tampa, FL, along with 1,258 mules and horses. (6)
One General William Rufus Shaffer gave a command at the docks for an early departure to Cuba, thus resulting in not enough room aboard the ships.
This in turn caused only 8 of the 12 companies of Rough Riders to participate in the war; the result was a blow to the strength of the regiments, and with sickness from yellow fever and malaria, gave a negative setback to the whole operation.
Loss of men equaled to a loss of morale.
Since their horses got left behind due to lack of shipping space, the men essentially became an infantry, something they weren’t trained to do.
The Battles of Las Guasimas and San Juan Hill, and the Siege of Santiago are all noted in historical tomes.
Thick jungles made sight impossible. Illness took a toll, but the Rough Riders battled and secured Las Guasimas, losing 8 members, with 31 wounded. (7)
At San Juan Heights, TR had no specific orders for battle or position, but knew that the Rough Riders were originally supposed to act like a distraction to the Spanish, while the US Army batteries and artillery attacked.
San Juan Heights consisted of San Juan Hill and another hill, with a valley in between and a small pond and river.
Equipment, such as metal kettles from a sugar refinery, lay around a spot known as Kettle Hill.
The Rough Riders came under fire at the base of this hill, and moved their position away and down the San Juan River, but were still pinned down.
The Spanish Mauser 7 MM had high velocity and the timing by the Spanish Military held an advantage over the American units.
Again, General William Rufus Shaffer had failed in that he had sent men out for reconnaissance and had not given the cavalry any orders at all. (8)
TR became very upset that he and his unit were left so vulnerable, right in the line of fire. He sent messengers to the generals to try to instigate some action.
Finally, the cavalry got the orders to assist in the assault on San Juan Hill.
TR, on horseback, roused all the men and ordered them not to leave him alone in the charge. They came across a regiment of black soldiers in the mix and TR ordered them all to go together.
TR realized the US Military couldn’t take the hill because they couldn’t return weapons fire. He felt a charge was necessary.
He “took over” the command of the ranking colonel, appointed himself lead officer in his absence, and ordered a charge up Kettle Hill.
Stampeding ahead of the speechless Captain he had basically lied to, TR, on his horse named “Texas,” stormed up the hill, cheering and waving his flop hat, his men following close behind. (9)
The Rough Riders never hesitated, coming up behind TR with excitement and enthusiasm.
Other men from different units caught sight of the Rough Riders and also began to charge up the hill with their fellow soldiers.
The big “Charge of San Juan Hill” was really a series of small bolts of action by regular military units and the Rough Riders. (10)
Lieutenant John H. Parker commanded three Gatlin Guns, which he kept loaded and talking, and this helped the Rough Riders. The rapid-fire sound of the shells also roused the spirits of the men. (11)
There were heavy casualties, but Kettle Hill was over-run by TR and the US Military in about 20 minutes. San Juan Heights fell within the hour.
TR credits Lt. John H. Parker and the Gatling Guns to his successful charge.
In August of 1898, the Rough Riders returned home, landing on Long Island, New York, where they were reunited with the other four companies that had been left at the docks in Tampa.
Many returning soldiers had yellow fever or malaria, and received treatment on Long Island. They were exhausted and all had lost about 20 pounds each.
They received medical care and plenty of food and were able to celebrate in the latter part of August with their fellow cavalrymen.
The Rough Riders received three gifts as mascots: a war eagle name after TR, a mountain lion named Josephine, and a small dog named, appropriately, “Cuba.” (12)
There was also a small boy present who had stowed away on the ship in Tampa, but had been discovered before it set sail. He had been taken in by the troops who were left behind, given a Rough Riders uniform and made an honorary Rider.
TR received, from his troops, a small (replica) bronze sculpture of Remington’s “Bronco Buster,” as a tribute for his amazing service and leadership.
The Rough Riders were disbanded on September 15, 1898. (13)
They held a reunion in New Mexico the following year with TR in attendance; by then he was the Governor of New York state. Later he would become the 26th President of the United States.
The Rough Riders reunions continued in New Mexico until 1967. The sole surviving Rough Rider to attend that event was Jesse Langdon. He passed in 1975. (14)
In honor of my favorite President, Theodore Roosevelt, a gentleman, scholar, conservationist, horse lover, and Rough Rider, to you, Sir, the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.”
1-13: Internet/Wikipedia. Theodore Roosevelt, 1899. Rough Riders, P.F. Collins & Son, Publishers
14: V.C. Jones, “Before the Colors Fade: Last of the Rough Riders,” American Heritage Magazine, Aug. 1969, Vol. 20, #5, pg. 26