18 - Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section eighteen of The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt. This
LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by William
Peck Appendix F Headquarters, Pacific Division, San Francisco, California, May eleventh,
nineteen o five. Dear mister President, as some discussion has

(00:23):
arisen in the public prints regarding the Battle of San Juan, Cuba,
July first, eighteen ninety eight, and your personal movements during
that day have been the subject of comment, it may
not be amiss in me to state some facts coming
under my personal observation as commanding General of the Cavalry
Division of which your regiment formed the part. It will
perhaps be advisable to show first how I came to

(00:45):
be in command, in order that my statement may have
due weight as an authoritative statement of facts. I was
placed in command of the Cavalry Division on the afternoon
of June thirtieth by General shafter the assignment was made
owing to the civil vere illness a General Wheeler, who
was the permanent commander of said division. Brigadier General Young,

(01:06):
who commanded the second Cavalry Brigade of which your regiment,
the first Volunteer Cavalry formed a part was also very ill,
and I found it necessary to relieve him from command
and place Colonel Wood of the Rough Riders in command
of the brigade. This change placed you in command of
your regiment. The division moved from its camp on the

(01:26):
evening of June thirtieth and bivouacked at and about El Poso.
I saw you personally in the vicinity of El Poso
about eight a m. July. First I saw you again
on the road leading from El Poso to the San
Juan River. You were at the head of your regiment,
which was leading the second brigade, and immediately behind the
rear regiment of the first bagade. My orders were to

(01:49):
turn to the right at San Juan River and take
up a line along that stream and try and connect
with General Lawton, who was to engage the enemy at
El Caney. On reaching the river, we came under the
fire of the Spanish forces posted on San Juan Ridge
and Kettle Hill. The first brigade was face to the
front in line as soon as it had cleared the road,

(02:10):
and the second brigade was ordered to pass in rear
of the first and face to the front when clear
of the first brigade. This movement was very difficult owing
to the heavy undergrowth, and the regiments became more or
less tangled up, but eventually the formation was accomplished and
a division stood in an irregular line along the San
Juan River, the second brigade on the right. We were

(02:32):
subjected to a heavy fire from the forces on San
Juan Ridge and Kettle Hill. Our position was untenable and
it became necessary to assault the enemy or fall back.
Kettle Hill was immediately in front of the cavalry, and
it was determined to assault that hill. The first brigade
was ordered forward and the second brigade was ordered to
support the attack. Personally, I accompany a portion of the

(02:54):
tenth Cavalry second brigade and the rough Riders were to
the right. This brought your regiment to the right of
the house, which was at the summit of the hill.
Shortly after I reached the crest of the hill, you
came to me, accompanied I think by Captain C. J.
Stevens of the ninth Cavalry. We were then in a
position to see the line of entrenchments along San Juan
Ridge and could see Kent's Infantry division engage on our

(03:17):
left and Hawkins's assault against Fort San Juan. You asked
me for permission to move forward and assault sal Juan Ridge.
I gave you the order in person to move forward,
and I saw you move forward in assault San Juan
Ridge with your regiment and portions of the first and
tenth Cavalry belonging to your brigade. I held a portion
of the second Brigade as a reserve on Kettle Hill,

(03:38):
not knowing what force the enemy might have in reserve
behind the ridge. The first Brigade also moved forward and
assaulted the ridge to the right of Fort San Juan.
There was a small lake between Kettle Hill and San
Juan Ridge, and in moving forward, your command passed to
the right of this lake. This brought you opposite a
house on San Juan Ridge, not Fort San Juan proper,

(03:59):
but a frank house surrounded by an earthwork. The enemy
lost a number of men at this point, whose bodies
lay in the trenches. Later in the day, I rode
along the line, and as I recall it, a portion
of the tenth Cavalry was immediately about this house, and
your regiment occupied an irregular, semi circular position along the ridge.
And immediately to the right of the house. You had

(04:22):
pickets out to your front, and several hundred yards to
your front, the Spaniards had a heavy outpost occupying a
house with rifle pits surrounding it. Later in the day
and during the following day, the various regiments forming the
division were rearranged and brought into tactical formation, the first
brigade on the left and immediately to the right of
Fort San Juan, and the second brigade on the right

(04:44):
of the first. This was the position occupied by the
Cavalry Division until the final surrender of the Spanish forces
on July seventeenth, eighteen ninety eight. In conclusion, allow me
to say that I saw you personally at about eight
a m. At El Poso, later on the road to
San Juan River, later on the summit of Kettle Hill,

(05:06):
immediately after its captured by the Cavalry Division. I saw
you move forward with your command to assault San Juan Ridge.
And I saw you on San Juan Ridge where we
visited your line together and you explained to me the
disposition of your command. I am, sir, with much respect,
your obedient servant. Samuel S. Sumner, Major General United States

(05:28):
Army and of Appendix F