August 19, 2025 • 20 mins
Join Theodore Roosevelt as he recounts his thrilling experiences with The Rough Riders, the legendary 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry formed in 1898 for the Spanish-American War. As Lt. Colonel and second-in-command, Roosevelt vividly portrays the brave men and their spirited horses, the challenges they faced, and the fierce battles they fought in Cuba. He paints a picture of soldiers forged from the rugged wilderness, accustomed to the wild and the unpredictable. With a passion for adventure and an eagerness for action, these “grim hunters of the mountains” were ready to face any foe. Roosevelt’s account is a stirring tribute to their courage and camaraderie, making it a compelling listen for history enthusiasts.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section seventeen of The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt. This
LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by William Peck.
Appendix E. Congressional Record fifty fifth Congress, Third Session, Volume
thirty two, Part two, Page twelve fifty nominations by the
(00:23):
President to be Colonel by Brevett, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt,
first Volunteer Cavalry for gallantry in Battle Block Wassima, Cuba,
June twenty fourth, eighteen ninety eight. To be Brigadier General
by Brevett, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry for
(00:46):
gallantry in Battle Santiago de Cuba, July one, eighteen ninety eight.
Nominated for Brevet colonel to rank from June twenty fourth,
eighteen ninety eight. Forts six Juan, Cuba, July seventeenth, eighteen
ninety eight. The Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C.
(01:09):
Through military channels, Sir, I have the honor to invite
attention to the following list of officers and enlisted men
who specially distinguished themselves in the action at Las Guasimas, Cuba,
June twenty fourth, eighteen ninety eight. These officers and men
have been recommended for favorable consideration by their immediate commanding
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officers in their respective reports, and I would respectfully urge
that favorable action be taken. Officers in First United States
Volunteer Cavalry Colonel Leonard Wood, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, respectfully, Joseph Wheeler,
Major General United States Volunteers, commanding Headquarters, Second Cavalry Brigade,
(01:58):
Camp near Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, June twenty ninth, eighteen
ninety eight, the Adjutant General, Cavalry Division, Sir, by direction
of the Major General commanding the Cavalry Division, I have
the honor to submit the following report of the engagement
of a part of this brigade with the enemy at Guassimas, Cuba,
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on June twenty fourth, accompanied by detailed reports from the
regimental and other commanders engage in a list of the
killed and wounded. I cannot speak too highly of the
efficient manner in which Colonel Wood handle his regiment and
of his magnificent behavior on the field. The conduct of
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, as reported to me by my two aides,
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deserves my highest commendation. Both Colonel Wood and Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt disdained to take advantage of shelter or cover from
the enemy's fire while any of their men remain exposed
to it. An error of judgment, but happily on the
heroic side. Very respectfully, s B. M. M. Young, Brigadier General,
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United States Volunteers, Commanding Headquarters, First Division, Second Army Corps,
Camp Mackenzie, Georgia, December thirtieth, eighteen ninety eight. Adjutant General Washington,
d C. Sir. I have the honor to recommend Honorable
Theodore Roosevelt, late Colonel, first United States Volunteer Cavalry, for
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a Medal of Honor as a reward for conspicuous gallantry
at the Battle of San Juan, Cuba, on July one,
eighteen ninety eight. Colonel Roosevelt, by his example and fearlessness,
inspired his men and both at Kettle Hill and the
ridge known as San Juan, he led his command in person.
I was an eye witness of Colonel Roosevelt's action. As
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Colonel Roosevelt has left the service, a brevet commission is
of no particular value in his case. Very respectfully, Samuel S. Sumner,
Major General, United States Volunteers, West Point, New York, December seventeenth,
eighteen ninety eight. My dear colonel, I saw you lead
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the line up the first hill. You were certainly the
first officer to reach the top, and through your efforts
and your personally jumping to the front, a line more
or less thin but strong enough to take it, was
led by you to the San Juan, or First hill.
In this your life was placed in extreme jeopardy, as
you may recall, and as it proved by the number
of dead left in that vicinity. Captain Stevens, then of
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the ninth Cavalry, now of the second Cavalry, was with you,
and I am sure he recalls your gallant conduct. After
the line started on the advance from the first hill,
I did not see you until our line was halted
under a most galling fire at the extreme front. Were
you afterwards entrenched. I spoke to you there and gave
instructions from General Sumner that the position was to be
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held and that there would be no further advance to
further orders. You were the senior officer there, took charge
of the lawn, scolded me for having my horse so
high upon the ridge. At the same time you were
exposing yourself most conspicuously while adjusting the line. For the
example was necessary, as was proved when several Coward soldiers
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about eight or ten twenty fourth Infantry I think, started
at a run to the rear to assist a wounded
Coward soldier, and you drew your revolver and put a
short and effective stop to such apparent stampede. It quieted them.
That position was hot, and now I marvel at your
escaping there. Very sincerely, yours, Robert L. Howes, West Point,
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New York, December seventeenth, eighteen ninety eight. I hereby certify
that on July first, eighteen ninety eight, Colonel then Lieutenant
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry, distinguished himself through the action,
and on two occasions during the battle when I was
an eyewitness, his conduct was most conspicuous and clearly distinguish
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above other men, as follows one. At the base of
Sam Juan or first Hill, there was a strong wire
fence or entanglement at which the line hesitated under a
galling fire, and where the losses were severe. Colonel Roosevelt
jumped through the fence, and by his enthusiasm, his example
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and courage succeeded in leading to the crest of a
hill a line sufficiently strong to capture it. In this charge,
the cavalry brigade suffered its greatest loss, and the Colonel's
life was placed in extreme jeopardy owing to the conspicuous
position he took in leading the line and being the
first to reach the crest of that hill while under
heavy fire of the enemy at close range two at
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the extreme advanced position occupied by our lines, Colonel Roosevelt
found himself the senior and under his instructions from General
Sunder to hold that position. He displayed the greatest bravery
and placed his life in extreme jeopardy by unavoidable exposure
to severe fire while adjusting and strengthening the line, placing
the men in positions which afforded best protection, et cetera,
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et cetera. His conduct and example steadied the men, and
on one occasion, by severe but unnecessary measures, prevented a
small detachment from stampeding to the rear. He displayed the
most conspicuous gallantry, courage, and coolness in performing extraordinarily hazardous duty.
Robert L. Howes, Captain aag USV, First Lieutenant sixth the
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United States Cavalry to the Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington,
d C, Headquarters, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
April fifth, eighteen ninety nine, Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Carter,
Assistant Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir.
(07:59):
Income Aplients with the requests contained in your letter of
April thirtieth, of the Board convened to consider the awarding
of Brevett's Medals of Honor, et cetera for the Santiago Campaign.
Did I state any facts within my knowledge as adjutant
General of the brigade in which Colonel Theodore Roosevelt served
to aid the Board in determining, in connection with Colonel
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Roosevelt's application for a Medal of Honor, whether his conduct
that Santiago was such as to distinguish him above others.
I have the honor to submit the following. My duties
on July one, eighteen ninety eight, brought me in constant
observation of and contact with Colonel Roosevelt from early morning
until shortly before the climax of the assault of the
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Cavalry Division on the San Juan Hill, the so called
Kettle Hill. During this time, while under the enemy's artillery
fire at El Poso, and while on the march from
El Poso by the San Juan Ford to the point
from which his regiment moved to the assault, about two
miles the greater part under fire, Colonel Roosevelt was conspicuous
above any others I observed in his regiment in the
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zealous performance of duty, in total disregard of his personal danger,
and in his eagerness to meet the enemy at El Poso.
When the enemy opened on that place with artillery fire,
a shrapnel bullet grazed and bruised one of Colonel Roosevelt's wrists.
The incident did not lessen his hazardous exposure, but he
continued so exposed until he had placed his command under cover.
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In moving to the assault of San Juan Hill, Colonel
Roosevelt was most conspicuously brave, gallant, and indifferent to his
own safety. He, in the open led his regiment. No
officer could have set a more striking example to his men,
or displayed greater intrepidity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. L.
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Mills Colonel, United States Army Superintendent, Headquarters, Department of Santiago
de Cuba, San Diego, Da Cuba, December thirtieth, eighteen ninety eight,
to the Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir,
I have the honor to make the following statement relative
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to the conduct of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, late, first United
States Volunteer Cavalry during the assault upon San Juan Hill
July first, eighteen ninety eight. I have already recommended this
officer for a medal of honor, which I understand has
been denied him upon the ground that my previous letter
was too indefinite. I base my recommendation upon the fact
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that Colonel Roosevelt, accompanying only by four or five men,
led a very desperate and extremely gallant charge on San
Juan Hill, thereby setting a splendid example to the troops
and encouraging them to pass over the open country intervening
between their position and the trenches of the enemy. In
leading this charge, he started off first, as he supposed,
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with quite a following of men, but soon discovered that
he was alone. He then returned and gathered up a
few men and led them to the charge. As above stated,
the charge in itself was an extremely gallant one, and
the example set a most inspiring one to the troops
in that part of the line. And while it is
perfectly true that everybody finally went up the hill in
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good style, yet there is no doubt that the magnificent
example set by Colonel Roosevelt had a very encouraging effect
and had great weight in bringing up the troops behind him.
During the assault. Colonel Roosevelt was the first to reach
the trenches in his part of the line and kill
one of the enemy with his own hand. I earnestly
recommend that the medal be conferred upon Colonel Roosevelt, for
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I believed that he and every way deserves it, and
that his services on the day in question were of
great value and of a most distinguished character. Very respectfully,
Leonard Wood, Major General, United States Volunteers, Commanding Department of
San Diego de Cuba, Huntsville, Alabama, January fourth, eighteen ninety nine,
(12:02):
The Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir,
I have the honor to recommend that a Congressional Medal
of Honor be given to Theodore Roosevelt, late Colonel, first
Volunteer Cavalry, for distinguished conduct and conspicuous bravery in command
of his regiment in the charge on San Juan Hill, Cuba,
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July one, eighteen ninety eight. In compliance with G. One
thirty five Ago eighteen ninety eight, I enclose my certificate
showing my personal knowledge of Colonel Roosevelt's conduct very respectfully. C. J. Stephens, Captain,
Second Cavalry, I hereby certify that, on July first, eighteen
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ninety eight, at the Battle of San Juan, Cuba, I
witness Colonel then Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry, United
States of America, mounted leading his regiment in the charge
on San Juan. By his gallantry and strong personality, he
contributed most materially to the success of the charge of
the Cavalry Division of San Juan Hill. Colonel Roosevelt was
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among the first to reach the crest of the hill,
and his dashing example, his absolute fearlessness and gallant leading
rendered his conduct conspicuous and clearly distinguished above other men. C. J. Stevens,
Captain's Second Cavalry, Late first Lieutenant, Ninth Cavalry, Young's Island,
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South Carolina, December twenty eighth, eighteen ninety eight, to the
Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir, Believing
that information relating to superior conduct on the part of
any of the higher officers who participated in the Spanish
American War, and which information may not have been given,
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would be appreciated by the department over which you preside,
I have the honor to call your attention to the
part born by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt of the Late Vers
the United States Volunteer Cavalry, in the Battle of July
one Last. I do this not only because I think
you ought to know, but because his regiment as a
whole were very proud of his splendid actions that day,
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and believed they called for that most coveted distinction of
the American officer, the Medal of Honor. Held in support,
he brought his regiment at exactly the right time, not
only up to the line of regulars, but went through them,
and headed on horseback the charge on Kettle Hill, this
being done on his own initiative, the regulars as well
as his own men following. He then headed the charge
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on the next hill, both regulars and the first United
States Volunteer Cavalry following. He was so near the entrenchments
on the second Hill that he shot and killed with
a revolver one of the enemy before they broke completely.
He then led the cavalry on the chain of hills
overlooking Santiago, where he remained in charge of all the
cavalry that was at the extreme front for the rest
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of that day and night. His unhesitated gallantry and taking
the initiative against entrenchments lined by men armed with rapid
fire guns certainly won him the highest consideration and admiration
of all who witnessed his conduct throughout that day. What
I hear write I can bear witness too, from personally
having seen very respectfully. MJ. Jenkins, Major, Late First United
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States Cavalry, Prescott A. T. December twenty fifth, eighteen ninety eight.
I was Colonel Roosevelt's orderly at the Battle of San
Juan Hill, and from that time on until our return
to Montauk Point. I was with him all through the fighting,
and believe I was the only man who was always
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with him, though during part of the time Lieutenant Ferguson
and Greenwald were also close to him. He led our
regiment forward on horseback until he came to the men
of the Ninth Cavalry lying down. He led us through these,
and they got up and joined us. He gave the
order to charge on Kettle Hill and led us on
horseback up the hill, both rough riders and the ninth Cavalry.
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He was the first on the hill, I being very
nearly alongside of him. Some Spanish riflemen were coming out
of the entrenchments, and he killed one with his revolver.
He took the men onto the crest of the hill
and bade them begin firing on the blockhouse on the
hill to our left. That one the infantry were attacking
when we took it. He gave the order to charge
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and led the troops on Kettle Hill forward against the
blockhouse on our front. He then had charge of all
the cavalry on the hills overlooking Santiago, where we afterwards
dug our trenches. He had command that afternoon and night,
and for the rest of the time commanded our regiment
at this point yours very truly, H. P. Barchar, Cambridge, Maryland,
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March twenty seventh, nineteen o two. Theodore Roosevelt, President of
the United States, Washington, d C. Dear Sir, at your request,
I send you the following xp from my diary and
from notes taken on the day of the assault on
San Juan. I kept in my pocket a small pad
on which incidents were noted daily from the landing until
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the surrender. On the day of the fight, notes were
taken just before Grimes fired his first gun, just after
the third reply from the enemy, when we were massed
in the road about seventy paces from grimes guns, and
when I was beginning to get scared and to think
I would be killed at the halt, just before you advance,
and under the shelter of the hills in the evening.
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Each time that notes were taken, the page was put
in an envelope addressed to my wife. At the first chance,
they were mailed to her, and on my arrival in
the United States, the story of the fight taken from
these notes was entered in the diary I keep in
a book. I make this lengthy explanation that you may
see that everything put down was fresh in my memory.
(17:53):
I quote from my diary quote the tension on the
men was great. Suddenly a line of men appeared coming
from our right. They were advancing through the long grass,
deployed as skirmishers, and were under fire at their head,
or rather in front of them, and leading them rode
Colonel Roosevelt. He was very conspicuous, mounted as he was.
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The men were the rough riders, so called. I heard
someone calling to them not to fire into us, and
seeing Colonel Carroll, reported to him and was told to
go out and meet them, and cautioned them as to
our position, we being between them and the enemy. I
did so, speaking to Colonel Roosevelt. I also told them
we were under orders not to advance, and asked him
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if he had received any orders. He replied that he
was going to charge the Spanish trenches. I told this
to Colonel Carroll and to Captain Demick, our squadron commander.
A few moments after the word passed down that our
left Captain Taylor was about to charge. Captain McLane called out,
we must go in with those troops. We must support Taylor.
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I called this to Captain and he gave the order
to assault. The cheer was taken up and taken up
again on the left and in the distance. It rolled
on and on, and so we started. Colonel Roosevelt of
the rough Riders started the whole movement on the left,
which was the first advance of the assault. End quote.
The following is taken from my notes and was hastily
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jotted down in the field quote. The rough Riders came
in line, Colonel Roosevelt said he would assault. Taylor joined
them with his troop. Mc blain called the demic, let
us go. We must go to support them. Demick said
all right, and so with no orders we went in.
End quote. I find many of my notes are illegible
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from perspiration. My authority for saying Taylor went in with
you and joined with his troop was the word passed
to me and repeated to Captain Demmick that Taylor was
about to charge with you. I could not see his troop.
I have not put it in my diary, but in
another place I have noted that Colonel Carroll, who was
acting as brigade commander, told me to ask you if
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you had any orders. I have the honor to be
very respectfully your obedient servant. Henry Anson Barber, Captain twenty
eighth Infantry, formerly of ninth Cavalry and of APPENDIXE
Section seventeen of The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt. This
LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by William Peck.
Appendix E. Congressional Record fifty fifth Congress, Third Session, Volume
thirty two, Part two, Page twelve fifty nominations by the
(00:23):
President to be Colonel by Brevett, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt,
first Volunteer Cavalry for gallantry in Battle Block Wassima, Cuba,
June twenty fourth, eighteen ninety eight. To be Brigadier General
by Brevett, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry for
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gallantry in Battle Santiago de Cuba, July one, eighteen ninety eight.
Nominated for Brevet colonel to rank from June twenty fourth,
eighteen ninety eight. Forts six Juan, Cuba, July seventeenth, eighteen
ninety eight. The Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C.
(01:09):
Through military channels, Sir, I have the honor to invite
attention to the following list of officers and enlisted men
who specially distinguished themselves in the action at Las Guasimas, Cuba,
June twenty fourth, eighteen ninety eight. These officers and men
have been recommended for favorable consideration by their immediate commanding
(01:32):
officers in their respective reports, and I would respectfully urge
that favorable action be taken. Officers in First United States
Volunteer Cavalry Colonel Leonard Wood, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, respectfully, Joseph Wheeler,
Major General United States Volunteers, commanding Headquarters, Second Cavalry Brigade,
(01:58):
Camp near Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, June twenty ninth, eighteen
ninety eight, the Adjutant General, Cavalry Division, Sir, by direction
of the Major General commanding the Cavalry Division, I have
the honor to submit the following report of the engagement
of a part of this brigade with the enemy at Guassimas, Cuba,
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on June twenty fourth, accompanied by detailed reports from the
regimental and other commanders engage in a list of the
killed and wounded. I cannot speak too highly of the
efficient manner in which Colonel Wood handle his regiment and
of his magnificent behavior on the field. The conduct of
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, as reported to me by my two aides,
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deserves my highest commendation. Both Colonel Wood and Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt disdained to take advantage of shelter or cover from
the enemy's fire while any of their men remain exposed
to it. An error of judgment, but happily on the
heroic side. Very respectfully, s B. M. M. Young, Brigadier General,
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United States Volunteers, Commanding Headquarters, First Division, Second Army Corps,
Camp Mackenzie, Georgia, December thirtieth, eighteen ninety eight. Adjutant General Washington,
d C. Sir. I have the honor to recommend Honorable
Theodore Roosevelt, late Colonel, first United States Volunteer Cavalry, for
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a Medal of Honor as a reward for conspicuous gallantry
at the Battle of San Juan, Cuba, on July one,
eighteen ninety eight. Colonel Roosevelt, by his example and fearlessness,
inspired his men and both at Kettle Hill and the
ridge known as San Juan, he led his command in person.
I was an eye witness of Colonel Roosevelt's action. As
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Colonel Roosevelt has left the service, a brevet commission is
of no particular value in his case. Very respectfully, Samuel S. Sumner,
Major General, United States Volunteers, West Point, New York, December seventeenth,
eighteen ninety eight. My dear colonel, I saw you lead
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the line up the first hill. You were certainly the
first officer to reach the top, and through your efforts
and your personally jumping to the front, a line more
or less thin but strong enough to take it, was
led by you to the San Juan, or First hill.
In this your life was placed in extreme jeopardy, as
you may recall, and as it proved by the number
of dead left in that vicinity. Captain Stevens, then of
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the ninth Cavalry, now of the second Cavalry, was with you,
and I am sure he recalls your gallant conduct. After
the line started on the advance from the first hill,
I did not see you until our line was halted
under a most galling fire at the extreme front. Were
you afterwards entrenched. I spoke to you there and gave
instructions from General Sumner that the position was to be
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held and that there would be no further advance to
further orders. You were the senior officer there, took charge
of the lawn, scolded me for having my horse so
high upon the ridge. At the same time you were
exposing yourself most conspicuously while adjusting the line. For the
example was necessary, as was proved when several Coward soldiers
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about eight or ten twenty fourth Infantry I think, started
at a run to the rear to assist a wounded
Coward soldier, and you drew your revolver and put a
short and effective stop to such apparent stampede. It quieted them.
That position was hot, and now I marvel at your
escaping there. Very sincerely, yours, Robert L. Howes, West Point,
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New York, December seventeenth, eighteen ninety eight. I hereby certify
that on July first, eighteen ninety eight, Colonel then Lieutenant
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry, distinguished himself through the action,
and on two occasions during the battle when I was
an eyewitness, his conduct was most conspicuous and clearly distinguish
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above other men, as follows one. At the base of
Sam Juan or first Hill, there was a strong wire
fence or entanglement at which the line hesitated under a
galling fire, and where the losses were severe. Colonel Roosevelt
jumped through the fence, and by his enthusiasm, his example
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and courage succeeded in leading to the crest of a
hill a line sufficiently strong to capture it. In this charge,
the cavalry brigade suffered its greatest loss, and the Colonel's
life was placed in extreme jeopardy owing to the conspicuous
position he took in leading the line and being the
first to reach the crest of that hill while under
heavy fire of the enemy at close range two at
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the extreme advanced position occupied by our lines, Colonel Roosevelt
found himself the senior and under his instructions from General
Sunder to hold that position. He displayed the greatest bravery
and placed his life in extreme jeopardy by unavoidable exposure
to severe fire while adjusting and strengthening the line, placing
the men in positions which afforded best protection, et cetera,
(07:09):
et cetera. His conduct and example steadied the men, and
on one occasion, by severe but unnecessary measures, prevented a
small detachment from stampeding to the rear. He displayed the
most conspicuous gallantry, courage, and coolness in performing extraordinarily hazardous duty.
Robert L. Howes, Captain aag USV, First Lieutenant sixth the
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United States Cavalry to the Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington,
d C, Headquarters, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
April fifth, eighteen ninety nine, Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Carter,
Assistant Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir.
(07:59):
Income Aplients with the requests contained in your letter of
April thirtieth, of the Board convened to consider the awarding
of Brevett's Medals of Honor, et cetera for the Santiago Campaign.
Did I state any facts within my knowledge as adjutant
General of the brigade in which Colonel Theodore Roosevelt served
to aid the Board in determining, in connection with Colonel
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Roosevelt's application for a Medal of Honor, whether his conduct
that Santiago was such as to distinguish him above others.
I have the honor to submit the following. My duties
on July one, eighteen ninety eight, brought me in constant
observation of and contact with Colonel Roosevelt from early morning
until shortly before the climax of the assault of the
(08:42):
Cavalry Division on the San Juan Hill, the so called
Kettle Hill. During this time, while under the enemy's artillery
fire at El Poso, and while on the march from
El Poso by the San Juan Ford to the point
from which his regiment moved to the assault, about two
miles the greater part under fire, Colonel Roosevelt was conspicuous
above any others I observed in his regiment in the
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zealous performance of duty, in total disregard of his personal danger,
and in his eagerness to meet the enemy at El Poso.
When the enemy opened on that place with artillery fire,
a shrapnel bullet grazed and bruised one of Colonel Roosevelt's wrists.
The incident did not lessen his hazardous exposure, but he
continued so exposed until he had placed his command under cover.
(09:28):
In moving to the assault of San Juan Hill, Colonel
Roosevelt was most conspicuously brave, gallant, and indifferent to his
own safety. He, in the open led his regiment. No
officer could have set a more striking example to his men,
or displayed greater intrepidity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. L.
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Mills Colonel, United States Army Superintendent, Headquarters, Department of Santiago
de Cuba, San Diego, Da Cuba, December thirtieth, eighteen ninety eight,
to the Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir,
I have the honor to make the following statement relative
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to the conduct of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, late, first United
States Volunteer Cavalry during the assault upon San Juan Hill
July first, eighteen ninety eight. I have already recommended this
officer for a medal of honor, which I understand has
been denied him upon the ground that my previous letter
was too indefinite. I base my recommendation upon the fact
(10:34):
that Colonel Roosevelt, accompanying only by four or five men,
led a very desperate and extremely gallant charge on San
Juan Hill, thereby setting a splendid example to the troops
and encouraging them to pass over the open country intervening
between their position and the trenches of the enemy. In
leading this charge, he started off first, as he supposed,
(10:55):
with quite a following of men, but soon discovered that
he was alone. He then returned and gathered up a
few men and led them to the charge. As above stated,
the charge in itself was an extremely gallant one, and
the example set a most inspiring one to the troops
in that part of the line. And while it is
perfectly true that everybody finally went up the hill in
(11:16):
good style, yet there is no doubt that the magnificent
example set by Colonel Roosevelt had a very encouraging effect
and had great weight in bringing up the troops behind him.
During the assault. Colonel Roosevelt was the first to reach
the trenches in his part of the line and kill
one of the enemy with his own hand. I earnestly
recommend that the medal be conferred upon Colonel Roosevelt, for
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I believed that he and every way deserves it, and
that his services on the day in question were of
great value and of a most distinguished character. Very respectfully,
Leonard Wood, Major General, United States Volunteers, Commanding Department of
San Diego de Cuba, Huntsville, Alabama, January fourth, eighteen ninety nine,
(12:02):
The Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir,
I have the honor to recommend that a Congressional Medal
of Honor be given to Theodore Roosevelt, late Colonel, first
Volunteer Cavalry, for distinguished conduct and conspicuous bravery in command
of his regiment in the charge on San Juan Hill, Cuba,
(12:23):
July one, eighteen ninety eight. In compliance with G. One
thirty five Ago eighteen ninety eight, I enclose my certificate
showing my personal knowledge of Colonel Roosevelt's conduct very respectfully. C. J. Stephens, Captain,
Second Cavalry, I hereby certify that, on July first, eighteen
(12:45):
ninety eight, at the Battle of San Juan, Cuba, I
witness Colonel then Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, first Volunteer Cavalry, United
States of America, mounted leading his regiment in the charge
on San Juan. By his gallantry and strong personality, he
contributed most materially to the success of the charge of
the Cavalry Division of San Juan Hill. Colonel Roosevelt was
(13:09):
among the first to reach the crest of the hill,
and his dashing example, his absolute fearlessness and gallant leading
rendered his conduct conspicuous and clearly distinguished above other men. C. J. Stevens,
Captain's Second Cavalry, Late first Lieutenant, Ninth Cavalry, Young's Island,
(13:29):
South Carolina, December twenty eighth, eighteen ninety eight, to the
Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington, d C. Sir, Believing
that information relating to superior conduct on the part of
any of the higher officers who participated in the Spanish
American War, and which information may not have been given,
(13:51):
would be appreciated by the department over which you preside,
I have the honor to call your attention to the
part born by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt of the Late Vers
the United States Volunteer Cavalry, in the Battle of July
one Last. I do this not only because I think
you ought to know, but because his regiment as a
whole were very proud of his splendid actions that day,
(14:13):
and believed they called for that most coveted distinction of
the American officer, the Medal of Honor. Held in support,
he brought his regiment at exactly the right time, not
only up to the line of regulars, but went through them,
and headed on horseback the charge on Kettle Hill, this
being done on his own initiative, the regulars as well
as his own men following. He then headed the charge
(14:36):
on the next hill, both regulars and the first United
States Volunteer Cavalry following. He was so near the entrenchments
on the second Hill that he shot and killed with
a revolver one of the enemy before they broke completely.
He then led the cavalry on the chain of hills
overlooking Santiago, where he remained in charge of all the
cavalry that was at the extreme front for the rest
(14:57):
of that day and night. His unhesitated gallantry and taking
the initiative against entrenchments lined by men armed with rapid
fire guns certainly won him the highest consideration and admiration
of all who witnessed his conduct throughout that day. What
I hear write I can bear witness too, from personally
having seen very respectfully. MJ. Jenkins, Major, Late First United
(15:21):
States Cavalry, Prescott A. T. December twenty fifth, eighteen ninety eight.
I was Colonel Roosevelt's orderly at the Battle of San
Juan Hill, and from that time on until our return
to Montauk Point. I was with him all through the fighting,
and believe I was the only man who was always
(15:41):
with him, though during part of the time Lieutenant Ferguson
and Greenwald were also close to him. He led our
regiment forward on horseback until he came to the men
of the Ninth Cavalry lying down. He led us through these,
and they got up and joined us. He gave the
order to charge on Kettle Hill and led us on
horseback up the hill, both rough riders and the ninth Cavalry.
(16:03):
He was the first on the hill, I being very
nearly alongside of him. Some Spanish riflemen were coming out
of the entrenchments, and he killed one with his revolver.
He took the men onto the crest of the hill
and bade them begin firing on the blockhouse on the
hill to our left. That one the infantry were attacking
when we took it. He gave the order to charge
(16:24):
and led the troops on Kettle Hill forward against the
blockhouse on our front. He then had charge of all
the cavalry on the hills overlooking Santiago, where we afterwards
dug our trenches. He had command that afternoon and night,
and for the rest of the time commanded our regiment
at this point yours very truly, H. P. Barchar, Cambridge, Maryland,
(16:48):
March twenty seventh, nineteen o two. Theodore Roosevelt, President of
the United States, Washington, d C. Dear Sir, at your request,
I send you the following xp from my diary and
from notes taken on the day of the assault on
San Juan. I kept in my pocket a small pad
on which incidents were noted daily from the landing until
(17:10):
the surrender. On the day of the fight, notes were
taken just before Grimes fired his first gun, just after
the third reply from the enemy, when we were massed
in the road about seventy paces from grimes guns, and
when I was beginning to get scared and to think
I would be killed at the halt, just before you advance,
and under the shelter of the hills in the evening.
(17:32):
Each time that notes were taken, the page was put
in an envelope addressed to my wife. At the first chance,
they were mailed to her, and on my arrival in
the United States, the story of the fight taken from
these notes was entered in the diary I keep in
a book. I make this lengthy explanation that you may
see that everything put down was fresh in my memory.
(17:53):
I quote from my diary quote the tension on the
men was great. Suddenly a line of men appeared coming
from our right. They were advancing through the long grass,
deployed as skirmishers, and were under fire at their head,
or rather in front of them, and leading them rode
Colonel Roosevelt. He was very conspicuous, mounted as he was.
(18:15):
The men were the rough riders, so called. I heard
someone calling to them not to fire into us, and
seeing Colonel Carroll, reported to him and was told to
go out and meet them, and cautioned them as to
our position, we being between them and the enemy. I
did so, speaking to Colonel Roosevelt. I also told them
we were under orders not to advance, and asked him
(18:37):
if he had received any orders. He replied that he
was going to charge the Spanish trenches. I told this
to Colonel Carroll and to Captain Demick, our squadron commander.
A few moments after the word passed down that our
left Captain Taylor was about to charge. Captain McLane called out,
we must go in with those troops. We must support Taylor.
(18:58):
I called this to Captain and he gave the order
to assault. The cheer was taken up and taken up
again on the left and in the distance. It rolled
on and on, and so we started. Colonel Roosevelt of
the rough Riders started the whole movement on the left,
which was the first advance of the assault. End quote.
The following is taken from my notes and was hastily
(19:21):
jotted down in the field quote. The rough Riders came
in line, Colonel Roosevelt said he would assault. Taylor joined
them with his troop. Mc blain called the demic, let
us go. We must go to support them. Demick said
all right, and so with no orders we went in.
End quote. I find many of my notes are illegible
(19:42):
from perspiration. My authority for saying Taylor went in with
you and joined with his troop was the word passed
to me and repeated to Captain Demmick that Taylor was
about to charge with you. I could not see his troop.
I have not put it in my diary, but in
another place I have noted that Colonel Carroll, who was
acting as brigade commander, told me to ask you if
(20:03):
you had any orders. I have the honor to be
very respectfully your obedient servant. Henry Anson Barber, Captain twenty
eighth Infantry, formerly of ninth Cavalry and of APPENDIXE
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