Rough Riders,
The popular name of two regiments of cavalry organized at the beginning of the
American-Spanish War. The most conspicuous one was the 1st
[
498]
United States Volunteer Cavalry, of which
Dr. Leonard Wood, a surgeon in
the regular army, was commissioned colonel, and
Theodore Roosevelt, who had resigned the office of assistant
Secretary of the Navy for the purpose, lieutenantcolonel.
The regiment greatly distinguished itself in the
Santiago campaign, particularly in the engagements at
El Caney and
San Juan Hill.
For their services in this campaign
Colonel Wood was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt colonel of the regiment.
