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Case Number: 2008-0703-F
FOIA
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the Clinton Presidential
Library Staff..
Folder Title:
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Roosevelt Medal ofHonor [binder] [4]
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Staff Office-Individual:
Speechwriting-Rosshirt, Thomas
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4021
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The c1valrymen- on rhe slope of Keule Hill were delayed by the
lir-.r of rhc Spanish cntan~kments. F.nemy en~ineers had used green
p;lfml'llo poles sel_ in rhe ground. twe11ty-five _feet apart and strung
ll'ith rhil'k slr:mds of harhed wire. The advan_ce was halted while two
IIH'Il of rht; tJih forced enough of the wire down to let Roosevelt get
hic; hi11·sc anms and into the lane l~a~ling up the knoll._ Lpoking over
hi-. ~houldcr. Roosevch saw lrqopcrs moving in hack of him and in
rill' ficld·ro rhe righr. Some were screaming epithets as loud as they
ll.lllld. while' l{uosevch again waved his hat to rally them. 1
Nc\ I I he·metrfaced a d~·nsc hedge where openings had to be cut
wirh machl'll'S. Troopers poured throu~h the narrow passages they
111adl', l11rrhn hlt·1idi11g rhe 9th and rhe Rough Riders. The men also
ltadr,, va11h over a11old hrush fence. One.Rough Rit.ler:re:called land-- __\lll-~...!-''1. ''~I~ ~·f -'-' hl_;l_t~_J!!.H'Pt.:f..fr5!!!l. tlw <Jth,_l>~spite_!lle urg<;_n_q~. __h_c~
rnmc·d In a-.Lrht·.man\ pardo11 ar;i.l'saw.thauhe lrooper was dead. __
\Vt1l111ut 11111Vin~-t thl' hod~· '"'' ofi_lll' way, the Rou~h Ridt'r hnstil}'
tclc,illed the flow of volull.lt-ers and_r_t•gulars in the short r~tshes that
had heeit· cirdnelL'·
·
As.rlw l\1ausn volleys slmvnl.rhc pace of the charge quickened.
Rnnscvl'lr said L11n 1ha1 the whole cavalry division was "tired of
-\\'olitit·l,!-:md ~·;tgcr lp dose wirh tl.1c enemy." Once ·more, ·the assault
\\';1<; ;, lllllh goirig all-out. R(ulS('Velt was racing against both his own
me11 and rlw olhcr lrnopns lo n·;Khthe crcst'of Ketde Hill. He was
dernmi11nl lo g~~j I hnc firs!. .
A Uulc ri!tick Aut
Most ·of 1ill' w;ucorrespor1drnts covering the_ hattie of San Juan heeded
\h;lfln\ advice and went tp Fl Caney during.the mornin~ of July 1:
( lnlr six ·journalists and two photographers remained on the hiiL.at
Fl l'oso. They wuld, sec ·rhc-cnri~:e held of hattie at San Juan in the
hrighr- tropical sunli~hi.Thc t·orrcspondcnts nor iced a l<.llle Spanish sentinel standing quierly on a rise far to Iheir left, holding the reins ~f h_is motionless hor~e.
<ln S;Htju;ln Jlill, there was ;t Spanish officer who looked to he half.
ac; tall as a Jiin~ Wearing a dariper l'ai1ama 'hat while strolling along
dlt' Spanish defenses, he sigrl<llcd hy gesrming with a stylish walking
_c;ritk. Front rh(· -trenrhc.-. ar his feet ClllH' volleys of Mauser hullcts.
I c""I hi,_ -.idc· rh·,. ;lltillrrr o;c·c·tnnl tn rn;rr. The rnrre~pnndrnr.; did not
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CJIAJH;E AT SAN JUAN
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dllu" of huhhles from opcnin~ a 1t1agnum of extra-dry·ch~mpagne. 9
With lield ~-:lasse~. the correspondents could distinguish clearly
·that Roosevelt was riding at the head of.the cavalrymen running toward the rouild.hillock. li1 the veteran journalist~, Roosevelt repreScntt:d the finest in t\mrric;~n manhood. He made the _correspondents .
want _to ;~pp_laud his audaciiy. To history huffs, the hlue polka-dot
handallll;l floating hehind his 11ead like a pennant was reminiscent of
llw scarf of British Cen. llenry Havci~Kk at the Sepoy Mutiny in
India. i{onscvelt's white suspenders were crossed over his blue shirt..
Jnmnalists knew th;H a heavy revolver was tucked inside his hclt;
Thi<> was the weapon that had ~1ecn recovered hy divers atthe wreck
of 1hc battleship Maine in 1-la.vana h;uhor. 111 _
·
Riu1sr.velt had the"c;~sual air <if the 'amateu-r of war. He was a
gl~ntleman v.olunreer. rathcr .. th;ll.l.a .methodicaLprofessional.soldicr-·
who gor the joh done effortlessly ·and-selflessly~ No· (me- who saw
J{omcvclt take· that dangerous ride helieved he would finish it. His
part in the ass;wlt lo;1ked like utter-recklessness, hut unquestionah!y
he se_r the p;1cr of the Rough Rider~· cha:r~e up Kettle Hill. He moti-.
v;llcd his men - to win thr da)'. 11 ~
Ri111111~·d 1)'1~~/a.(.<CJ a11d a Ikami11S Smile
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.
l{nllst·vrlt took ;t l'i\kulatt•d vit·w i1f the risks lw rnn. lie wnili h;1vin~
what he cilnsidcred to lw i\ hully iight. "(()him, the char~e was great
fu.n.- I k saw no man ahead of him to detract from his achievement.
.
.
I It- JH'Vl'r thouJ(ht, hi.· insisted lntrr, thnt hr would last through.
llw day witluult ~rttin~ hit. llr was a student of war nnd he had n
· llwory nh,·n•r his rok in·ihis l'illllpniJ(n. Even if struck hy the Spnni~h
hulli·t lw nntil'ipatt·d, lw li~llrl'd thnt tlw odd!ii would he nt len11t thrcr
Ill one ill LIVor of his hl'ill~.llll'rely wouiuled rat.hcr than killed.
did l~l>t hclie~r th;~fa.sin~le hullet.wound t<>uld st<)p him f~oni heing
first on the crrst of the hill. 11
. . t\ Fifth Avenue Boyw;~tched as the elated Roosevelt galloped hy,
yellin~ "like aSioux.:· The trooper turned to his Arizonan mate whiie
rhey wrrr prone during a p;~use between ~ushes. He confessed that he
had learned to respert Roosrvclt ;~sa soldier, ;1lthough "a couple of
\Taro; ago wr people in New York didn't think Teddy knew enough
;I hour rhc milit;H~' ro rc~icw :1 p;~radc of cops." The westerner s;~w
1 " " ' r11lll'd· l'iofcJil'c rrnt'l in): (,.""' :111. '.'IICXJWI'Ird ~onrcr. I lc admit~
1111k the t\mn1,·.111 '·"·Jin "'""ld·~"i,·i,.,. rhi· 111urdcro"" Spa11io;h
illlliJC·:·
hn.rll1. 11lw11 11 l.. ,,knl IJHIII·fl f'u"' ·'' d rlw t\mniu111 lorn·"
""ld h.ll'l' '" ll'llf',lf.· lltr f'l'"llll_i .. lll ,.,,, .....'fl')lldt·llto; \\'l'rt' aston
lwd 111 ...... "·h.11 lnnkt'd hkt· .1 I!ide hl.11 k ;II II nawl into.thr ydlt•wh ~rrrn ol 1hc tlp,·n IIH',Hio\\' i.n rlw l';llln. The shapl' th;H from.far
,,·,n· "cemcd 11111 w,,, f{nn~nch. hmni11~ ·IC.'<as til\vard the lrad of·
II' ao;c;;wlrinJ! trn;•pn~: ." t\n· in1:h or l\\'llhchiud him W;lS thr_r;~~~r·d
•c of ndtcr hnln .1111'· .t'nll dwn .. tnufhn line nf ;\nro; at a different
.llt', .'wd tf.('li .l11111f.n. llll!d II "l'l'IIH'tf ;t~o; If SIIIIIChod~· had duJ.: ;I
iLk inrn.1 1:•r.tl f.t)".. 111t,· "~''' dn\\'11 in the \';din·. and all the di..rmlwd
'''-liTre 1111 IIH·,·, 11'.1\. 111 '' 1.1111hlr "I' rhc •dnpc." t\lorc l·nnl'i,·i.d
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led, "J don'flll'\Tr.;q~.lilllrllq IHl 111;111 wilh ri111111Cd C}'Cglasscs and a
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.heamin~
Ycr Hclll\l'\Tit ;tl ... ll 111nl-: rime 111 he t""'l'·'''i"rr;llc, hr his li~hr ...
While riding .ll11ng rlw lure. l~t· rroritql a lloCIJll'r hlecding hc;1vilr
from ;I Lrt r;rl wonird .111d nrdnnl rhe 111an ,,; rht· rear for llH;dicd
;lllcrrrion. rl~t· ltllfiJ'''~' krH·w hi . . ~llllllll.tlldcr \\'ell. "Yo11 go ro lwll."
he 'II,Hkd. "l'ni "''' ):nin):_I•.Hk 1" Hno,·n·i·lr lmnnl hi-; hor.~e ;1\\';l\·
wrrh11111 rt''-l'(•rhlrn):.' '.
,\ hrr I{ n1 "n dr .rnd h" 11 H'll .h h-;lnu·d 1111 rill' -;Jopt· ol llll' Iill lc rorurd
l11ll wirhnrrr. "!!llilr~ .llrt.·lllndr.irr~t·.· rhn· t .litH' ,,·l ;i riwrc dillinrlr t'll .
r.mglcrr rn ll •. lnnrll('r '-•' l11n1- hi,:h 1>:11 hcd- wi rc· knn· '!t'l ti~taJ..:'J•y Sp;l 11 io;h
cngirrt't'r'. H11"'~'~ cit, nnld nnrgcr ·Ji-,,,, "'·,·r or aronnd rhc wirl'.·l It"'·"-·" _.,·.;r.rnd . . rrll.- lrrcd "" while he looked for men with nippc~· ...
-·.- · ~'-\\'t· t·.11r dn·l~~·rr~·r· rlr~rn·nippt·r._,,-: rlic· t\rilott;lll Bard\h;lr·o;holllc~l-.~
I )l_·,j'ilfr ~ 1.11 ,-.:-, .-,-_1 '• illc r\ :: t·ti ·.: i·ft<·,·, lrr~ ;·r i 1iu lid 1ht-ri 1; ht• phi fotTf.nfcn ·
.11 ,,·oodcnr''"'' rrdlll' lc·n,,:,nrd ltfrcd e.H 1, c•l riH'III 11111 ofrhc grorrrrd.
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w;rll.; hi,·hnr<.c: <.lldrdh .1~111'-~.-lhc· IIH'Il al"' ;id\·;rlltTdlln'l' rhc wire
.md ·\l.lllcd """i"11: IIJ' riH: '1"1''' .1g:1111·.·1':
A <.hor 1 ·d 1'-l.l 11< c· 1'.1 q · rll!'. dt~\\·nnl lcnn·. HcH 1'\l'\Th \ nT~Ll''"''"
wert· .'-hor nil ,,,. ;f hrrllc·r· ir11111 the rt';H. Thi' ln-.-. he had prepared· for.
llninrured. he lrrllll•lnl in hi-. pn~·kcr for ;lnorl;cr pair of c~·q~LIS\(''\,
lorrnd rhcm .. rrrd I'"' rhn11 c111 whilr qiiJ .ridrng ahc;ld. lie ,;1adc 110
IIH'IIIrnn 111 rill' lllrtdc·nr .11 riH· .1i111c hl'l'_;lir.~c· he \\';fo; afraid rhc rc~ulars
would aL·~·"''' lun1 "' h.l\·in~ rur.nrd '" rlrc reM like a cowMd. 1·1c_ roo
rrroncnmk rlwughr rlrr weak -:-r q Volnlllccro;.from New York had
hrcnl•chind lum. I It- ~·,rrld 11111 ;~,·u·pr rk11 rhe ht_dlct clmc from a
\\'rldfirlll)! H"rll:h I{Hft'-r.''
~ ( )111\-. 111111 (IIIIIJ'C'I ~ kl'J'I J'.hl' \\:ith 1{1111\('\'('Jr ;IS~rJH'\' hrr-.rJnJ !Ill
f11n1 "I' the 111\\'l:r p.rrr cd rl~t· l~tllnl k .. In .uidiric11\ lo .lbnl•drar ;ti'HI
t ·nl11r Bt-';Hn \\.rl,:lu. rhc: IlLII! fr:c.llll ·1\ Trc·u1p who hallrhc moo;·r car·
"Pirrtrri~ '"Ill' 111 rl11· rq,:rrncnr \\·a\ alclll~'>idc J{oosevch. J\r1owrr ro _
hi-.t·nmr.rdc· ... r~ "rlrc lllrman meg;~ phone .." he ri.·mainrd ncar rhe u1lo- ·
ncl to rcpc·:ll nrdn .. in t_hr htihhuh of thr h;tlllc. The r.11r11 hra).!J.!cd
rlr.ll l11o.. \'llllC' \\.,,, ;ludrhlr t'\'l'll \\'lll'rr huglc IIIli!''> would not c;~rrr.•1lrr hn1n;rn nrq:.rl'h"rlt' "··'' 'CI lond rlr;rr hrgli•dr "J'l\lking \pani'>h
11lfi, ,:,, "" rht l;, .• ,:lrr' 1 l.t~Jilrd !IH·\ hLrrd hi111. t\frrr dw li;tftlt-. _tlrC\' ·
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like ".Johnso11's hreet:hes," hur they couldn't find anything close· in
their dicrion01ry. Roosevelt replied th<lt he had ordered "charge by
rushes," ;I pt17.7.ling explanation for the Spaniards.rR.
The fourth trooper who sprinted next to Texas' saddlebags was a
priv;11c w;1rricd 01hout his own safety. He told himself, "If Teddy was
. 11111 on rhar horse, rht· huiiC'ts would not he co~ing so dose. It i~ not
· .. J.:ood for rhc ( :olonel to he on horseback. He might get _hit." After
dcharin'J~ with himself while he ran, he implored Roosevelt to dis111o1111i. I lis plc01s were ign:ored.'~
Following Roosevelt were the Rough Riders' troop guidons
\lrcamin~ yellow in the sun. Some.of rh~ troopers hehind the guid6ns
fell our 11i1der Spanish fire. The rest closcJ ranks and pressed on, some
ig11oring.head ;tnd L'hest wotuHis to st01ywith the troops. The cavalry- "
men·shot (;t pid ly <lS therra ll·llp what-they described as forty-degree - "·. ·irl(·lirw;·J.ike R<H>seveit, th<.yappe...red to he enjoying the charge:One rrnoricr from Oklahom01 had his c;~mpaign h01t knocked off hy a huller rhar went rhrou~h the crown ·without hitting hi_m. He stopped to ·
pil'k-up the hat, s01ying, 'Til have to p<ltt:h that ttp with a h!t of stick-·
ing plaster, or I'll get n~y hair su11hurned." His companions laughed.
The trooper.\ h01ir was.thc;. reddest ii1 the ~egiment. 20 ·
Beclllse o{ iheir.split alignment <lt the start, most of the rst and
· •HI~ regiments \vereadv01ncing upthe sides of the hillock at r8o de. )~rTes to t01d1 other. The Roitgh .Riders were in between.
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·Ririe mrd llrowtJ Traces
The experierKed British <lttai.:hc who was with.tl~e corrcspo~dents on
F.l Poso decl...rcd that he w01s distressed to sec Roosevelt at the head
of rhe g01llant <ltt;1ck: lie believed the exposure would inevitably lead •
ro tragedy for the colonel and the Rough Riders. Nevc~theless, the
ariachc claimed th<ll the fight for Santiago would ran~ as one of the
glorioirs h~trtlcs in rhe world's mili'tary history. The Englishman compared thr ass01ttlt by the Rough Riders to the charge of his own
.wuntry's legcnd01ry Light Brigade. 11
The <1'rt<1rhc had ohservrd the Mauser fire coming frclm San Juan
llill a~ the Rough Ridrrsstruggled to ascend the knoll. He watched
1ncn dropping from injury or exhaustion as the tropps surged upw;ml. To him. rhe (!'('.;(of S:m Ju~n I fill W:lS sputtering !ike asmokill): ,-,J.-:1111~ nrrprirrg 111:11 hit' .,fnH'I;d rh:ll pt'llctr;rrc.d :tnti stung. hur
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then: W;l<. no '>~gnof,\mnit an-. faltering. F\Til when Spani-.h gunfire
wa-. at ito; !wight. he l·ould tell from the AnH·rir.ans~ resolute stance
tha·t thn Intended to re;1d1 the top, imt a.; memhers of-tbe doomed
Light Brig;Hk migl11 ILl\T thought thC'\' would gain.their-·goal.
·r he ;Hh·.1nu· "I' 1\ettlc II ill \\";1<; o;Jo\\', ;ls the alladu; _'saw it. ·Jn
painting<. ;lnd dr.1\\"111go.; of the d1arge. the trnnpcro; a·n· -.hown nui11111~~ IIJ' the ':r.1dc i11 ln11g rcg11l.n rti\\·, l•chind lllOlllllnl.l{o~_"nTit.
Nn photngr;1phn , •. , t~rdt·d •. he trnc l.'Illllh·. hut nnly the fn11r_trnnp
t'r' ran at J{ ........ ,.cfl\ ""!'. I h.- n·.;t nl the nit'll were spn-;ld IIIII in"
hal k .of 1hem. ""' 111 ;.,,,.., hut ·'' 111.dl\·1du;ik 1->urinJ~ p;lllo;co;,_nH·n
pl. Ked I hcnl'cl\ I ' ' l•cllllltf \\·1dch q ;lltncd l•u.;·Jll'" ;Jcspite:rJw bl k nf
prntedlnll lr••111 1>1111.-r,. A, tht· <:oldin.; 11rcd. thn· dimht;d o;Jnwn,
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knowin~ th.u j•n'••n.d dis.J<;fn could l·onH' ;11 all\' <;!C'p, hurnot dra\\'IIIJ.! hall. I rnm I I l'i..,n thn· \\'t•rt· o;ccn ·'"thin hrown trarn neeping ·
-- -_-__ -_ -~- · _-_-~.:_- · --~-~-~~--~~--~,
high.er ,;,,·iht· hiii.;ZJ ... - -- - - ··- ---
. Mar·,,: oi r.hc lll·t.;, going ;,p the slope ILHI hand-rolled cigarc!le-;
SIIKk in their mnnrh..-. tht· I:C'ul_t of .111 unexpedcd issue of 11tharco
rhatnH•IIllllg. l"hn "·en· 1111111ing. shonting .. md o;mokingatthe o;amc
ti1111:. ( ltfln, hl'ltf .J'IIIJ:o.; nf lt~h;ll.lll in..itfc rJwir lllllUihs, againq their.
g11m.;. Thn· w.111tnl tn o.;;l\·nr rlw moist ILI\·pr of ·the oilr n_il".l•tinc:
before drnng 11111 the lc;l\·,.,··,o ll'l' another da~·.!' ·>
·. .
A lew tronpn" were lllllllllling, not noisilv hut quierlr to theill,cfn·'· Their f.l\·nrltc ,,;,H' "'·'" ;,:l"hne'll lk a 1-lot Ti111e i1~ thi.· Old
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lil\VIl fi,·.Night. ·· Nnnne <;;lng; 1_111t C\Til h~·nms." ~lost \Ven· just holler-.
ing, letting ;nr 11111 nl the1r l11ng' tn relic\T lension.!-1
The llH'Il "·rn· in tht· ••J•rn. hut thi:ir hasic nnotion wa~ anger, not
lear. T.hl'\' '-lid thr \p.1.i1i;1rd-. hitting them hard wc'r.(' hil!ing behind
lortiticd w.dk li,· .lddllinll. the I )nl". lbg lie\\' lron1 a sia'tf•a1id( i1i.
the eartll\\·nrk<. 1111 tlll'·hcights. It \\';Is the liro;r time tiwst ~•It he Rm1~h
Rider' had '-!'I'll tl~t· \p;111i'h t'll"ign tkll rloo.;e. The flag hung there
like .1.rrd r.1g w.l\ in)~"' 1h(· f;lt·c ••f ;1 bull alri:;id~· m;td.lt J.!ave the
men a dr\1111.11inn..
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On tl11· 'lnpe._thc trn11per-. nf the .;thn rrgimcllts u11dd iwt see.
HoP<.C\'rlt. In 1111 i1. ri11··Ho11J!h HidtTs did nni.knm\' \vhcn.·the troop-·
t'r<.. of tlir •1th PI-the 1 q \\"l'rc: l~11mc.\clt had o;trurk Kettle II ill 1in the
"'""H'.I". 111 11111 ' ... ,,. I1Pi11 1-"lJ'o,n I Jill. I li-. asn·nr \va~ a series nf
r11<..IH'<. .11~d 11111" 111 .1 \ """''' .d .. n,: the· •·.,q~·rll gr.1dicnt \\'_hnc the
"t'·"""h fj,,. "'"" i...lll.lll.lll lldl d,,_ ,lllll tjlllll' l"!'.ll h.,,
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CII/IRC;E AT SAN JUAN:
The other regiments were running along their own routes.TI1e 1st
( :;!valry was still to the left of the Rough Riders. The men were being
shot .-.r..-.s th~y went .-.long the exposed southern flank. C and D troops
of the <Jth were on the far right, on the northern side of the knoll;
hidden fn)m the correspondents .-.t El Poso and from the enemy..2"
The troopers were so exh.-.usted that they were resting more than .
. they ran. The ground was spotted now with shruhhery and :small
trees providing minimal coi_Kealment. Men were ascending in briCf
dashes, crouching, he fore flopping on their chests to fire a few rounds.
·Bullets rin1chcted 1.1ff 1he kettles on top of the knoll, adding an inconJ!I. IIous ringing to the hattie's dinY
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The assault had hee11 going on for twenty minutes. Colonel Carroll
\Vas wmmded and Colonel Hamilton .was dead. The cavalry attack
was_S!Til _hy the press .on. Fl l~osci as an--aggregate-of-aets ofhigh----- · ·
heroism. Courage was a common·commodity. 1R ·
No one was .-.ware that from the start of the battle, Kettle Hill
had hecn defended hy only a handful of Spanish infantrymen and not
the thousands av.-.ilahle to Linares. No one knew that these few Spaniards had already abandoned Kettle Hill to fight again from the San.
.Juan Heights.
He Grabbed a Red-Hot Rifle
At that point Roosevelt was nicked in the elbow hy a Mauser bullet.
The wound hied freely. As he hound the gash, his calm little stallion
w;~s sc:raped hy a couple of hullets. 1 q
· Roosevelt was ahead<>( the main body of cheering Rough Riders.
Forty .yards from I he top of the knoll, he came to the flnal wire entan-'
glcnH.'Ilt'. 'lcxas wuld n;>t get through and there were not ·enough men
around to lift oltt the poles or cut the wire. With the agility that re-,. ·
mained from his ranch man days, Roosevelt twisted out of the sad~ic ·
without hesitation, jumpc:d free, an~ landed on his feet. He handed the
reins to a trooper who had caugl1t up with him, scrambled over the
wire, .-.nd r.-.n toward_thecrest. He was the freshest man on the field.·
· This w.-.s the apocryphal episode popularized after the battle in
the "Ballad of Teddy's 'Terror-.": "He grabbed a red-hcit rifle where-a.
gur had let it fall, and fix in' o( his sprl'tades more-firmly on his face,
he st:Hied to a·o;sa .. ~ill;lle.th<' Dons, all .-.round the ·place!" 10 .
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chapter 23
Fil·stto the Top
righ-, tl.JI,~cil tiH·I. .i-,·:iln~ l>l·~!;iii ihi: ;l~ .. a-ult ;,n 1\-t.-lllr i llllat
I'. \I. n11 Jnh .1. rlw l•lw ~!nidnm of ( •l'IJCi,d hn11\ i11L1n1q· di\'isin;l
·err <;1111 1Tql.111lnl lrn~n .lll.llkin~ the <m .Ju.111 llill hlol-khvusc.
.
cs<th.111 ,,.,, ni111111c·'- L11n.- .IJ'l'"!'"·ll to .ld\'.llll:C \\';1'> rt'tTi-\:l'd ;Jild.
1e rnft,rm.d ·.,h .. lll "I c·t\ (,n!'' '>t't the loot snldicro; off anoo;s the
ol',Hh· '-.i"\ flltlldl'l'lf \ .nd-. nf )!leell 11H:adow. 1
The (,th .11;d 1 r.th lnl.1111n re~imcnts tonk tht; ;ld\'a;ll't' as skirlishrrs behind r.dl .111d i1npoo;i1i)! ( ;rtH'Lllll.n"kim. with l~is disrinc''t' whrtc h.111. lllll'l.h Ill', .md ~:n;llt't'. I It- wa" a hri~adc l'Oilllll;lndcr
kc ( Mrnll .1nd \\',;.,,1, 1-nt ht· did ""' l''Lll-lio.;h his hcadquartc'rs in
:H' rr.n. ln'-1r.1d. Ill' ql'f'l'nl nut 111 l;o·nr ,;f.luo.; nH'Il. i\o; an il1fanlrr1.111. hr lllll\l' fn·l't'_! •n I not.·
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'fit/ 1 l_i(ffrc'
R111111d
llilf,,.-k
L11f ;1 mile 11111th nl tlw mL111trnnen .l·d,:anl·in~ imv;ird San .Ju;lll
lriL ( ;l'IHT.d '>II;IIIH'r\ cll'-lll11111lll'd l',l\',llrnllt'n \Vl'l'l' dno;ing in on
H'ir twin ni>Jn tl\·n. the ht·ighrs .uulrhc knoll riLl! \\';1'\ 1\cl!lc I Jill.
Rt·H.Isnclt h.1d pbn·d n;ll'ling ti,·ilian rolro; in hie; thirty-ninr years.
111 1hisd ram.llll -,,;HI .1 s l nrnmandri· of .1 world ·famous Cl\';11 ry regiwr11 in u•rnl'.ll \\',1\ rltr rrH•'-.1 ... l!id,·in)!. ''' h,: nrarrd the nrsr. he
.1s c;printing .1'- h.Hd .1 . . he t nuld to o;f.\\· in front of his trnopcrs. 'Jhe
1111~h J{rdn-. whn.IIPitt·d .tlrn huu \\'I'll' \nungn ;111d man,· lt;id
•ngcr ItT'· \nnw h'.~tl l••·c11 llllc't< .. llq:LIIt' .llhktco; ;IIHI n11dd c;io;ih·
11·c ""'''''1'('··,11,""
\II .. r dwr~c ", ..,. ,,11111·"'· '"'".,.,.,.,_ '" •.r_,,. :1
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respectful distance in the rear. Although they. saw that running fast
was not oi1r of his skills, they deferred to his rank}
Roosevelt ticver looked hehind him as he struggled up the last
stretch of the incline. His regiment was the most disorganized on the
field, hut it was enough for him that he could hear the men's highc
pitched yips and· war wh<.lops. The cries spurred him on. To him they
represrnt~d approbation. Sor;~e of the shouts sounded like Rebel yells,
intended to frighten the enemy who supposedly occupied the loopholed farmhouse.
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I' IRS T TO THE TO I'
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Half an hmir after the charge hegan, Roos~velt hurst onto the
. top of the knoll and cased fi1rward a few yards; The- hard-earned
crest ha.d heen won at last. The farmhouse was taken. A disoriented
Spanish hu~lcr hoy ran into Roosevelt's arms and was captured.
-·- R«loscvelt {;l>llfcssrttsithscqtiently.tl1afhe-wo~ula no-t ·nave gor1ck1~·k -d,lwn· 1\rttlc II ill(<;;. any ~cas~Hl, not·e~~-n if or;c <-_;f his ~w~ s~~s:
had heci1 woundrdand needed medical attention. "No man·was ahe_ad
·of me when wr charged, ·• he .asserted, ".and now I think my men
would follow me !iterally anywhere."~
. _The tniopcrs told each other that the battle had been fierce . .Hun~
drrds of them had heen sprinting, dodging, shooting, smoking, a·nd
. shriekii1g.They said tha_t every hairy-chested man in the country would
havr relished the fight. l~ugles· had·l~e~n blowing and the Spaniards'
Mauscrs h;-.d hccn fi.ring at ihrm in steady volleys. The run under·
pr;co;surr had heenthe finest thingever, particularly when they bounded
on top ·of Krttlr-1-lill and gave the loud_est war whoop. They bragged
til each other that it had hecn "the whole cheese."~
.-.Battle fever still raged in the troopers. Just breathing smoke from
thr.gunpo~der discharged in that terrific assault. made men feel like,
giants. Thry had no time to spare for casualties. They did not think.
ahout their dc;~d or wounded or heat-struck buddies who had dropped
ont i1f the r:Kr. ,
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Instead •. the main topic among thcs.e exhilarated men was the·
bravura pcrform11nce of their fantastic colonel. He was the only offirer in rhr Corps who was referred to hy his. first name when the ·
men were. talking among themselves. There was only one Teddy in
Cuha.
"Whew! \XIac;n't Teddr a wild liHiian in that charge!" shouted the
l{nrq_:h H1dn knn\\·n ;1o; rlw ( ;;llnhln. "I \vnllltln't ktvr t:1krn 1.n rn
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mie on '"" lh<HllT,_ of gc·rring· to riH' tn-p ,,five! lie"'"" \\'a~· ahead nf
the line ·all rlw rnnr! ··
"Tell \"1111 wh.ll h1nkc nH'.ltp,"lnliln.... nl the Spider. "In the middle
of rlw l11ll. the f,11,., t.drnnl lor " mi1111lt' hchind him. a11d Teddy
lllrtlt'lf .trlltllld .1111f '·"''"Ill th;ll "III"J'Ii<;nf. ll'J'Ioadlfuf <;ill·t of Wa)'.
'\X1 h\· hn,·.;, .\'1>11 .HC'Il.,l -l'llilll' h.ll·k ;ill 1111', ;liT ..\'1111?' I lclr a.; if Ill\'
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mothn h;1d ,,; lll"c·d lilt' nl "fliki111: her."
"t\11' rh.11·.,. rhe kiln \\'t' \\'e.;rcrll l'II\IJ'liiH"hl'IS "''"' duhmu.;
;thonr .." grtllllnl .111 An11111;1 11oope1. "I'd l1ke to lind the mall'"'"'
th;tl would l.tl_l f11m .1 t.. m-nnll nlkge-h1nl dude!"'·
Hn; •o;cq·lt I'·' -.l..t·tl ;,, rhe ·'l'l'l'l'l i;ll ic 111 .111d rhe pride -.how II hr rhi·
.1dmiring rronpn'. I k "'·'" l.'CIIl\'llllcd th;ll "he had heen first 011 the
n~··a oft he l·;tptmnl hill11l k:·rnllownl d;io;c·h· hv the four trooperc; who
were ,~•irhhin1. I k J't'l<;tiiLllh· had taken rill' firo;(Sp;wish fortilicllinn
·;I! \an Jn;lll. ;\lllrt'cl\·c·l·, he l Ltin~~~-d _r_haulwJit:-.r guidu11s planted-on---rlti·l" r(·q~ ,\·(:n~ II;,~ ~-~cJ],"\:-1!-.} ,;; ~-,.;...,, •lin~ HcHtgh I{ idno; ·-Fa nd (-; -j roc ips."
. t\c; if,;;: "'~Ill" hlilllft-t,, he lo11ked o11h· ;11 rhc terrain o;rraight ahead
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nl h11n. ••.r• 11"" the '.tift-, wiH.-rt· rht·.l;t<;f. i1f 1he Spani;trdo; from 1\crrll'
IIi II were h.t q l"ll 111g 1IIWMd 1he l'llt rt'tll hcd height c;, Ahn\\'a nt', he
tould ""' tTIIH"Illhn .111 the; dcr.ail nl the dL1igc, except that to lia\'e ·
bee11 liro.t ''" the n't·o.t nlthi-. glori\Ht'> .. hdl wa<; what he had fwen.
ll\·111g l11r. In hi . . ,·ni11d~ the top nl Ketti~· lltll had heen hio; alone for
11ne whnlh· "·II''" 1111: "'""H'Ill. That "'"" hdnrc the rest of the Hou~h
Rrdcro;· and the other' ,1\·,dn-nlt'll Lllcd "I' ln.jc;in him and tl,·,. ;o;um-.
rnit hel'allH' n""·dcd \\'ith o;oldin-..'
i\" Rnn,cq·Jr h.HI o..1id. lte did 11111 t't.ljciy l.as <_;uasimas, hut "the
\,m Ju.lll ti~i11 "··'" ···llttn·h· dtllnc11t ... I k "'''" juhilam ac; he·watdll'd
H.ndo;h,H 'hnnt 111 rllt' h.llk .wd ktll two \p.lni;_Hd<; who liad Llgf!(·d
bchi11d 1n the rctrt'.ll. lit- hnppnl ;I round \\'ith o\'erllowinJ! jn~· ;is hio;.
men "planrrd):nnd '"~''" 111 the rear endo; of flccinJ! Spaniank" pottint! .1 hem l1kr parti idgn.··
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lie rq,nrrnl nlfi~i.1ll\· th;ll he "ILtd rhe lullmr" to have ~·aprurcd
"tn)!.lllallt .. h.q,·,. thr lir-.r t'lltrclll'htiH;Illl.Hrl('d h,· any of our fronps,·
the lir\1 hrc.d.; 111 tho· \p.1111o.h lnlt'. I. .. he· bn;l"'cd. "was .the fir..r man
111 1" I k '.till!'• I till"' .IJ-'11111' nl rl11· dc"t'Jtc·d n·d rnnlcd farmhono;e ao; if
11 lt'.tll1 h.tol 1,,.,." 11 l1.1t Ill" llt.tdr ·II 11111 ' " f.l'. ",t \lrnng hlnrkhouo;e
ll'tlh rtllc· I'll\ .. ,..
Itt ht'- '"' "' tl '' t'•" I
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,,,f. l11· ,J,·-.,III,,·,J hi\
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ltic·l·l'!lll'llf .t
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I'IHST TO TilE TOP
liulc more circumspectly: "The guidons of my Troops E and G were
the hrst planted 011 the summit, though the first men up were some of
the A and B troopers who were. with me and got in ahead of my
troops E and G." He was asserting that the first men onto Kettle Hill
\\'l'rt' the four troopers who in fat:t were immediately in hack of him,
,;o; everyone knew. In his eyes, this convoluted concept in false modesty made him the king of Kettle f-lill: 11
l.;fte; statements hy others, however, hegan to. cast doubt on
Roosevelt's version of the order of arrival on the knoll. Lieutenant
Coleman of the Ro.ugh Riders' E.Troop "saw Colonel Roosevelt ahead,
hut cltily for a few minutes." If he was not "ahead" at the end, obviimo;ly. he could not !Jave heen first. 1
z
New Mexican Nova Johnson, color hearer .of the Rough Rid~rs' ,
II. Trooj1~ was amo•!!U_h_e_ earliest .on the- hillock:-Known a's· Long
_1(",11r·,- hrl:;1-us~ J;~~~luhin and -six fret,· two-im:hcf tall; llc-daim"cll -,-,;at ~.Y;ll, should have seen the amazement Colonel Teddy's face took
on when he read1rd the top of th;n first rid~e, only to -find that the
colored troopers had heat. us up there." Roosevelt had restrained
·l~·xas to the' pace of the four Rough Riders running alongside his.
saddle. lie wuld not have seen the hlack regulars because they were
to the north. They nwsthave dimbed faster.'.·'
Tbese "n>lored troopers" Long John referred to were the blacks
of the 9th Cavalry. When theyreached the top of the knoll, they were
to the right c>f the farrtlhouse. Roosevelt insisted that he·never saw
t hl'm ~~r r heir white Mllcers when he sprinted onto. the crest. Co!lceivahly, they were outside his tw1nel-visio!l gaze, which was fixed straight
ahea~l at' his next ·ohj.ccrive. His hattie would not' end at the knoll.
Storming the farri1house was only the first stage. His eyes were a/. rl';ldy focused on the heights in front. of him.
In turn, the 9th :s officers contended· sarcastically that Roosevelt'
mi1st have been swallowed in the mass of mixed regiments at the foot
·.of the southern sl<'lpc of Kettle Hill, not to be !)card from a·gain until·
after the 9th had stuck its standard into the ground at the top. They
wne \villing til admit· that Roosevelt had heen "among the first to
reach the top," hut they insisted that he arrived after they got-there.
The llfficial report of the secrl'tary of war backed the 9th's Claims.
The report stated positivclr that two trc>Ops of the 9th gained the
\I'C<;f fir<.!. ~~0!1';('\'cft ;lflcf the f~o11gh f~idcrs \\'C'rl' ignorctf. 1 ~
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FII{ST TO TilE TOP
An·ordin~ tn du· ;tr11n· hr;Jo;o;, the •Jth\ ollin·ro; not onlr had given
I
tl;t. tiro;t UllliiiLIJhl "h•n,:.,,.d tc•.thc <.h;1rgc·!" "''' alo;o thl'ir trc~e•pcr-;
had l..';lrricd 11111 1hc· nrd!·r ·f,, lw111g fir•a 1111 Ihe lTI'.~t. Tht: offin·r-; of
tlw'•Jih wnl' lnlllnJ: l{, .. ,,nTir ·,,.111! tllt'ir .he·" nJH'·I\\'11 J'lllll.h hy ill'·
'" !'':'IIIII\ "' bnth t'\'t'llh. lhc '.·l'ht'IIH'ni.T of thl'ir
rnp11mc '" Ho ..... nc·lt.llld lu. . 'nluntt·c.,..,h.td 11t1tl11ng to dt~.\\'lth p1111 ·
111.' 11r nlnltt'\'. I hn: 111" rt''t'lltt't!' J{oml'n·lt .11111 ''';llllnl rl'c·og~titit~il
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lnr d"'"J: tlw,; '""' ·''
In .tddlllllll,'thr hl.h k rltlllj'l"' nf tlu< II'"' ( .w.dr~· h.ld l:nnl' ""
tltl' kn;•lllo.f{,;,.,n..JJ\ lf'fr. I hn ''"' ,l.llltwclto lt.l\'c' 111tlurll'd tlu·u
olon at
rnofnll.ll:n,hon . . c·lwfnn· l{cllt'it'\Tit\ IIH'n did. The'\'
~'~'',1\nllu• .11·1.11"'' lnl)'.llll'lll fttltll .111\nllr.''
If tl11· tllllllc··~, ,,., r1 ... ' 1n1 11l1lw kn"lllud lwc·n I.Ht' ltc,,c., J'.. tl
llJ'tllg lo1 "''"· l'l.t\ ~· .. tnd '"""' .11 .1 tr.h k. Hiu,...t·vclr\ t'ntq wc11dd
111i 1\·-li:, \ t' j ,~,-,~,-f,-1.- .-,·l-\ ,-,ill• ii·,: ·II• -(lie~ i; If i~.-1:11111\l ,:1~.-iTi~ ..,(;\.~rl>l ii·); ·c_,r.·\v:n~:~ -:· ·- ~~.
J'h<~-~,;~.;:,:,:;,~v-·,-\.,<- ,-~~,·,",,,IJilli~ :r;,-l~·t J{,-;"~,:~.;.Jr .. ,:~~.l'f~ iii~· ,~i~~-,:\. for the
h.ng;·. c·n·•', tlt .. n,:h rlin ·l·nrh \\'l'rc· l{c·pnhlll.l~t politilt;lll\ :I!HI hi'·
1.1d ·'1'1'"' 111 I'd I{ ""'n cit '" the J{nugh H 1iln~;. Ncit her he .it~ 11· t hl'.
c~ul.n~ h.1d l, •n11c'•l "' n the I'll''~. hn\\T\Tr, .1nd tht: nnvsp.tpcrs
~.1n· ,\Ill he j'l.llldth 111 Htlll'>l'\·t·fr ·and lltllll' Ill thl' hlack CIV;tlrymcn.
• . l.atn tiH' . 'mdiLH\' .llithoritics dt'llllll.l';llitcd the charge llll 1\t:ttlc
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llill. Thcr tu~l)!rd the ;1'-'-·llllt to ha\'r hcrn llLHic ir1 llnio;on 1,~. nTn··
:;train· rrgimcnt.lntlll' 'l"l'lllr.that da\· and lltll hyanv IIIH'unit, Fv·n·hnd\' \\".t<; tir . . t: dtc ;Hill\ hmc';l.lll.l';ll<o dclidrd. Ncithn the •Hit llllr
he l{llugl; Rrdn . . nnr ·rite 1t'lh \\';J<; .thcad.
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./ll(l't'J't~f Hcllt{llt.< 1hci r !'111111 io1L1I It ighs,
I{ idt·" 'l.trtt·d
from
·
1
.organit.t~d.
~cnc.:hed
:
1
1
· -~--
I
!
I
·
:·
j
r
111 ll'l'II\Tf:
hn.· l·nuld .,,.!' dt.ll thc·, '-I til 'wnc -.uJ.jnt to the -;;uitr l'vlausn hio;il-·
.hie' frnnt rl.w "·"' ln.111 I ldll>lnl-khon~c· ;tnd frm11 the t'll.trcn~.limt·nts ·
IIi .thl' hright'-. Jw.Hidltlllll, thn· \\TIT 111111'(" l'\f'O'I'd and Cllnl'CilLIIt'dOtllllJ' of t!tc·'·'l'lllll'll knoll than ihn it.td hccn in thl' 111cadcm·
•r 1111 lhl' "'"1'1'
l{, .. ,...n,·h lud .1 l•11d,· t'\T \'11'\\' of rill' \\'hnlc h;lttldicld ft . lllll riH'
nurlnu·q , citnn c•I illl' c rc·q.: 1. k fi•CII\t'd firq on the par;lnH•unt
1rug):lt-. rite 11111· l•n111: ".11:rd J,,' 1\rnt·, ntfanlrr ag.1imr the \p;llrn,kon \.111 l11.1u lid I. I Itt· c'IH'III\. l1•1 ~-,.,nit Ill(' It ill h.1d f,ccn o;tn·ngth ·
llt·d l•1 1 I· 111, • 1 ,., '"" 1111111111.111i 1'1111'- .lit.! .t ,.111111'·"". ,f .... rilnr'
.Soon the mmmtain guns hcgan droppi.ng shells on Kettle Hill.·in
n·o;ponse, l{ooscvl'lt
a squad of marksmen to sdcncc the
t'nc·mr hartl'ry. Ne)(t he agam turned the marksmen <mto the few
Spaniards retreating :Kross the valley. The enemy.soldiers had plunged
in.to rhr shnllow pondinstt'IHI of rnc.:inH
wny nrounil flu·
o;htlrt\ In tlw watt·r, tlu:y madc sirc.:h srilettdidly slow-rnovinK tnrK~Is
. rhatlllltsl ol thost• who took rlw sliort(utncvcr
the heights.••.
l11 ,·omp11rison with rlwir rotln!rynwn who hnd ddrndrd Krtth·
llill, tlu· ~111111i111'd, 1111 Still .Jt.l•llt llill.wcrc ill tllleK~·cllctlf tlcfcnitivc·
pn•:rurc·. TIH')' wnc· protl'rtnl hy tht· hlol·khou~c, etllrcndmtent11, rilll'
pi~~.__,ait~l_!l_!_!~ipl!· lii~"_J_tJ _ha_d~l·~-wi_r.l'_<'IJtall~kments on .. the hillsidt·.'-"
_-: _;- : __ · _.~- __ M orl'oyer, the mt·adow the Amcrica n infantrymen had to tra vc~sc
wa<i a third of a 1i1ilc wide. Tlwre was nit c.:over forlfawkiris's atrac.:k-.
tT~ a lithe way from· rill' jungle to the hill,.other than t.he same kinds
of sparse hushes and in frcqttcnt trees that grew in front of Kettle
II ill. Also, the cast face of San .Juan Hill was very steep. The infaJ1tryllll'll could SCC that parts of the ascent might have. to be. made hy .
,~ullin~ themselves up with their hands. The prospect was much more
·arduous for _the infantry than Kettle Hill had hcen for the-cavalry.
. N~verthdcss, rcsoltitc Hawkiits_and his two regiments crossed
the nH·;~dow.and approached the hill while RC?osevelt watched from
the knoll. Just hchind the advance were other regiments of infantry
thr.lcu1~rr
tilt''""
7
from the fleer in the h;trhor._The rcinfon:ernents·hrought the total of
dde1Hkrs ctn· San Juati tc1 ~ 20, the same nuinher as those r~sistitig
l.awton at El Can~y. 1 ·"
.
.
.
I_
regtdars. The valley to the left of the Santiago trail was filled with
cheering and
American foot soldiers. The infantrymen
c.:hargin~
jammed down entan~lcmcnrs or din.thcd over them, suffering heavy
lmses while advancing in the face of Spanish gun"fire. The soldiers
halret.l emir to r"!ise their rifles high ahove their heads to shoot over
the men in front. Then they ran on a~ain until they began to m<?unt
the hill itsclf. J{ooscvclr. said he prayed fonhc general. 21
Fortunatcly for the-Americans, the Spanish engineers had ordered
thl' enemy tr~ric.:hes huilt em _the geologic summit of the hill, rathei
th;ln on. the niilitary l·-~csr th;H was yards doser to the sl(>pe. The
111ilitary nr<;~.would have i:ontrollcd tlwasccnt hy giving the defendno; ;I rlear \'icw of all the ;II tackers. Instead, there ~ere pockets where
o\mcri,·;lm .liinhini: the o;hl'n ir~,·litH' ccnrld ll!ll 11l' rr.1d1rd hy the
�,.
_ I J· II II\
U I Ill \ I· \" I .I I A I · \ ,\ N .1
I.
II,\ N
1\hmcro;onthe lrttr Sllllllllil. JJawkim\ soldiers dttng therc, safe for
rhe mnnH'Ill l>nr I'I.Tt .11 inJI"h· o.;irn.lled. The \pani.ndo; l·ottld nor sho;11
.ti .rhr infantrnncn 111 rfu· md~t·s·wlrllllttl stand111g ;ind exposing thcm'l'"T" In rcr.1li.11nn· lin· lr.nm rhc o.;nldicrs in rlu· ,·,dlq'. ( )n the nrhn
hand. rhc inf:ltllrn•u·n t·n1d,·( nor t"llfllinttc rht·ir dimh wirhnttt incur·
.
.
riJlg lllllr(' (.1\11:1 h II'S ...
The \p.111i.1rd, ".,.,,. pl.1\lcring rhc rnr of rhc· infamr\· '""I Htimc
\'t·lt\ fortT w1rl1 ntT\ ""''': rhn had ldr. I ht· "'""mit of "t·ttlt- II ill
1\",1S lown 1h.111 \,111 111.111 JJ11J .lll!lthl' fmtlficil height.;, SO tht' troop
.,, rhrrt··\\Til' "' ,.,,, J., .1 '·"''"''·lin·. \n1111' tt\C'd the l.~rgc iron kcrtlt·o;.
1\
·i k ..... ··•
t(.... ,n..lr ...... ;,:1111nl llt.11 llu· tttl.11111\ w.1s ttll't'ling "'""I""" tt·
"'l.llllt' .11111111.11 1, •. lu,ltoo:.lll qtth ~h 111 lwlp ll.l\\•kJII\.11111' l.ulnl
ltY,t(l~ h.l\\kln.;-iniJ:Iwl•t·-·1·111 t·d-rtnt"llt',tt:--·1 ht• n•ltllll'ls-in nlllllll;lttd
.;1 rhl.- .~.ilwl ,:.~1 .ltr 1 -~~·l·.lritt·llf;,- .. ·~i 1\l·tflt·l ltll h;fillil'c·Ti~kfilt·d of
Wt•11111kd 111 \\ t'lt' ,·, '"'''J'I.It ,. ,.j .. ,.. \111ilnn :tnd ·\Vnotl~ wnt· .tl''''lll-~
It"'· ,., l<noo•.t 1 ··It \\ .1 .. rlw '·"'~ IIIJ'. "lfi~t'l 111.i rill' roirnd hrlltt\ k. 111
nllttll;llltl.••' .til rltt· llnt;l'''''· I It- 1t'l1,hcd .rill' rnpnnsihd1ty.
·ln,lld rhr llll.ttllll,l(t,tt\1'\Tir krptrhc lli.Hk,lncn;ltllOilg his Hnugh
l{~tlr~ .. '''l!···rhri ·,., fi11·· .11 rl11· ~J'.llli.Ht.ls 1111 \',l.fl Jn;1n I lill. The rq:n
l.n .. nl rl11· •rrl1 .111d '''"' ·"'" l1nnlttp In tlrn·lf thcir rarhi1ws at tht·
\.111 Jnani'lt~t kltnll\l',,llld t'IIIH'Illllllll'lll~. The \p;llliards' heads Wl'IT
1llth;ll ,:nttld l•1· '1'1'11 .. 111d rhen n11h· "'"~"" thl'\' rose to lire 1111 Ulllln.md. At rh.11 t.lll)!r rlti· r.•rgcl\.\\'t'rc rinr ;111d rhcr wnc lkcri11g.''
The 1nf.1111rr\ '1111.11int1 was dcspnare. nTi1 after ten llllllllll's of
.. Hhllle fire lrn111 rh,· l.11·.1ln:nH'Il. The _prnsmr ;tpplied to. the Span.nds "··1'. rnn1-,1:h. h•'''"~'''~''~ '" .1lln"· lr. fohn l';1rkcr of the (;arlin~
. otll1 J)ct.lthnu·nt l11.h1111): Jtj, tltil'l' r.1pid fire J:Hns Ill thl' Slllllh sidt~
•f "crrl ... JJdl. ll11" 1lu· ( ,;lllrnJ:<. l•q:.m tltt'lr krhal operation.·~
.-\~·"''"" ·'' J(,,,..,., ,.Jr lll',nd rhr .li'!lllt li\'l'l h.lllcri11~·.111' sllnttll'IL ·
'lr\ rhc ( •. lllllll:'' lr· .. lht· ( •. 1rl111gs!" I Itt· l{ntt~h l{idcrs lhcncd as
)H~ 111.H ·,IIIII' ,:1111' .qllh hk .;J1ol atlll\'l'f'J'II.\\Trin~ nlllllhl'r of httJiets
11in "1'·""'1.-lrtu:., 11.11 rill' hill. \\'itltin fin· mintttco;, the Sp<111i_sln·olt'l~
wltnlllllt.lllllrtll: I Itt· d .. li-IHino; I_Lill hrcn k1lll'll. The (;,It lingo; nratcd
1.1\llt \\'llh l11' .... ltlu·r ... \\·hil,· l(nn.scq·Jr tnlltinncd hi.; cnhinc \'ol
I
""'·"'\\'I
FIRST TO TilE TOP
to retreat whenever it was necessary to avoid hand-to-hand combat
with the American forn.·s who could now he seen to otitnumber the
Spaniards drastic-ally. The moment was at.hand. The Spanish positions ontlw hill h~d hewmc in~lcfensihle, like the outpost at El Caney.·
The hill had taken its toll on the attackers and now Linares was prepared to sacrifice it in a st01ged withdrawal. _He expected to make his··
stand not on.the hill h11t at his more strongly fortified line doscr.to
San.tiag;, and its resources where he hitd thousands offresh soldiers
i11 rt'st·rvt·. Ill· did not hi:lievc tliai his line could he breached hy force
. nf arms. In Llt"t, it tH'vt·r wao;.''
Allut Oil('(< Hoos''"''" ~••w th1· Spuniurds in their whirr nnd pnl1!
hint• 1111ifnrms ll';lp from rlw tn·lltlws 111td ru11 11111 of thr hlnckhoww
"" ,o..,,"•.ln•'" llill. Tlwr fbi in tiH· f,tll' i1l llll'IHiy hlllllllll'riiiJ.t frumthl'
h;lllin~s and l'iHhint•s.-ln a (,·w minutes, the-Gntiin~ll and carhirws---~,,.,;"'·d-lirin~~"" thitrl-lrtwkin'l'!t infMtlrylltCII o11thr !ilopr-l:tnlld ttlslt--- -~ ·.
ovn till' nt•st nnd Sl'il.l' tlw ~riurt1·d.hlorkho_usc ltltdtreitdu·N. Whr11
tlw i 11 f1u tlry 11 tl'll ~w11r llil·d i 11, 1111 I y dl';HIIl 11d srriou!iil y ·woundrd Spanianls whot·otrlthwt lw. illovl'llwt·n·ldt.l" ·
lh·joicing was so widespread on Kettle Hill that Roosevelt had
diffinrlty gcriing:·tlw IIH'n\ atil'ntion. Exhausted troopers lltill were
-;trt~~;gling up the kn,;ll i11 small groups. They were screaming with
. rL_irion they wailted to share with earli~r arrivals. The noise was deafening, \vhilc l·aslialtiedrom enemy rifles on the heights continued to
IIHHIIlt. Nevertheless, Roosevelt claimed tc-> have chuckled when he
ove~he01nl a black cavalryman of the .9th say,_ "This shuah am fine
place to make a fightin' reputation-hut it shuah am dangerous!" 29
.After another few minutes, Roc)sevelt was able to assemble the
Rnttgh Hiders and talk to them.· Holding his right hand aloft as he
pundll'd t!"H' air with his left f1sr for emphasis, he shouted, "Men, our .
~·amr"' fliSt and (;lid is with liS. Let all·hrave men attend to my
orders!" I lc intended· to lead ;-~nothcr advance at the first opporlllnity. '"
a
.,
I
I
n·~ ·.11 rhr ""'""''"'"': 11111111•,·r nl "-l'·"'"h l11·.1d'. '•·
''' '"' :.,,J,J,,.,, 1111 \.;11 !11.111 I Jill h.HI htTil
~( ,,·nn.d I "'-",.,-.,,.,,J,.,,
~
e
I.
Thr British attache who h01d climbed the knoll on the heels of the
l{ough Riders nmgratulatrd l{oosevclr. Somehow. rhc Briton who
\\'as dressed in ronspir11ous white from he01d ro toe, had remained·
immarula 1r despite the junglc and the rivers. Putting his monocle to
his 1'\'1', he told Rono;cvclr, "lr\ a grrar day for"" !\nglo-Saxons!" 11
�e
I I II
11 Y
I! I I l I \ I' \'
rI
I ,\
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I I I 1\ N
Fir51 ,in the Hci~ht.~
Roosevelt s.1id. "The light\'.·"' all right. I could see the\paniards"in contrao;t with l.a~ ( ;uasirnas where tlw.cncmr had hecn invisible.
II~ now had rnlnplctnl nrmt of what. he poctic1lly ~rphrascd as "ifll'
:rowdnl and glnriou<. hour: of Ill\' life. th;tt hom for whit•h I would
r1ot trade nn· whole·e-.;i<;tcnl:r. ·· t\i:tuallv. 1\\'o hours had. elapsed from
1lw time \\'hen hi· hq:.111:tlw ~uh-anl.-l' from tl_1e river.'·'
Although rlw inLllliiT-h.uiLlkcn the S;lll .ftt;ll) I Jill hlol·khouse at
1 :~o r.:..l.,·and the .,~·~ldil:r, there were looking out ;1\'er.Santi;lgo'itst·ll.
rhe Rough Rrdns \\lTC \lrll on 1\cttlc I Jill. \"lrlnnahk to the small
rniotttll of lin· lrum l.,p.tni<.h dcfcndns left in cntrcndiiiH'Ill\ on Sai.t
uat~ I !eights. \\"hrnthe Clll'lll\' on the heights ~vas rei11forrcd hr Sp;lll·
sh soldier.; rt·tn·.11in1: lrnr11 1\cttk llill. gulllirr dirrrred at the k11oll
'CClllll' a lrttlc IH'.l\'11'1. H;""l'\·dt nlltld lll'.H the two large l·oppi:_r: __ _
kt·ttlcstllll!.lllnn· ln',TIIt'iWI\'.;1<;-tlit;~-\\-(;j.t~t-rti;:J.: ~,~. -~~ulll-:-ls.1 ' -~ _· _ .. _ _
--I Ik ne\,- 1iic&rl\ .,(,rd~h., I· 'li_a_d \-.;b.;, r~·lr ;;:e -~,~:,w-een ·tl~t; kettle-..
I It· w.ts 111.1111 l11n1: rltt'lt' \nth tw1• lrll'lltk lll;tll his F Troop when a
.lu·ll,·' pl~~dnl d 11n 1h •'' ,., rlu·tn. Tit,; nt -"" 1 I\\'11 It} 11 'l~~'r' ~\T n· blow,_;
o hrtli hr ,lrr.tpru:l l•.tlk 1\ . lld .. h.u "'·'' 'l'l.tttnnl wrth hlood and
li·,h. SttiiiiH'd .111d \ nll'lll;ll, ol a ""dden. srlenrc. hl; \tartrd to W;llk
.lo\\'h dn11·11 '"''',1HI:'tlll' .. 1.. 1lln"· pnnd in tlt~··~·;tllt;r: think in·~ 1111l)' 11l
lu· w.1tn Ill' IIITtlrd i.". 11·.r~h nil thi· rnrtl\lllg 'illll'.ll''i. I k \\';1.' 1111·
1\\';trl' th.ll hr"··'' •lJ'I'''~·"I""g rite t'IH'Ill\-'. "·
j{llll\1'\TJt \,1\\" .h1111 1111!~'1' ;1\\',1\', ~I'll\('" hi\ 'd,lltgl'r h11t IIIII hi\
lr~;lhrlit\', .11111 n·llnl.11llll.ll tn'rt~trim. Tlu·n; \\',1.; 1111 n•ply.:SIII{IInsl'\'i·lt
.111 altn hnn. t l.lpf't:d l11111 1111 tlu· ,l;n11ld~·r. aiul sh1111ted;. "I >id11't
·"IIIH'.H 1111:, .dl '"")" H.11d .. h.1r lllrllrd ;Hn1111d. h1r the lir.;r t_il1tl' he
1'.1htnl hr 11 .1 .. dt·.d. I lt-"J'"II1Inltn hio; e.11< \\'ith hi.; i11dc-.; li11gi:ro; In
n.J,,·,lft' he,""'",·~~.~, III':H ;nn·t h111g. II." hc.Hil11! llllpr:ll\'cd gr;1du.dh·.
'lll In~ ~ept ltt'•"'''\t'_lr 111 ''ght lnr the n·.;t ;,f the tLI\'.
\\'hen. l{,o,nl'lt <.l.ntnltPSIII'\'1'\' the <.ttTtl~~th of his f11rl'(·~ llll
h,· knnll. .Ill' l11111l.l rhl' "111\'1\ing l{nugh Hidn raptain<; and licntcll.
1111' '"rlln~: tht' trliiiJ't't' h.lt k iiii11111;11Ll)!C;lhlc nllits,,"\'\1h;lt is going
'" hnc? \\'lur .11f'.\llil llnng tn do?·' l'l'lln\\'nll{nnsen·lt. "I amlr\'ing
•• rcqnrl'.II•"'J'·''''"1.1IIolll, <.rr," \\'.1\IIIH' IT'J'IlllSl'. "\\'ell." .;n;l·j,pcd
{nn\n dr. '·ft-t rlw l111"111.11 "'" 1.1~1' ,·,11l' "' llo;clf. There j.; ni, ,1\\';Hd
111 lll'.llnr .... l,,·"· I It, 1111111 th111!:" 111 \1·i11 thl' li,:ht." lie "hjcd;~d In
u,
e
the initiation of any procedure that might inhihit the regimenes readiness to attack. 11 ·
~
-a
I'IHST TO TIIF..TOI'
Helping Kent's infailfry take a position ahead of the Rough Ridns had made -Roosevelt testy. He feared heing exclud~d frqm -what ·
uHrld hr ·the day's final encounter, the capture of the heights that
would align the Rough Riders with the infantry's advance. In a relarivcly protected spcH under the brow of the knoll, he quickly called a
IIHTting of what was left of l_1is officers -at 1:55 r.M. He pointed out
that the portion ofthe cavalry divis_ion passing Kettle Hill to head·
din·rtly toward the. heights had heen slowed hy enemy fire. The trooper-; had not yet completed the crossing of the open valley. The Rou~h
Riders mi~ht yet heat them.'"
.
.
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j.
l{oosevelt took for granted that his assault on the heights would
~~ ..._take place. I lc emphasi1.etl-t hat the hesCcharicc- tc> capture. the. ~~xt_~-. .- ..... - ... c.lcvation would-wme imnfedi:1tcly whilc-d-ie "Rough Riders were exl·ited and on. their feet.. He advocated proceeding by:rushcs, as hclml', I lis c1ptains privatdy,-hclieved that t.:oming after everything ~he
. l'l'ltillll'llt h:id (·xpt·ril·iln·d sinl·r rt'Vl·illr, nnothcr nNsnult would prtl· .~
d~tn· !1111}" an unal·l·t·ptahk loss of more lives. They were silent, how .
l'Vl'J, in tlw prcsenre·of a headstrong Roosevelt who was elated at the
prmpcrt of lca~ling the Sl:C;IIHil:liar~e. 17
_
_
It was a hrid 1111;etii1~. 'li1kin~ his officers' reti~en~e for wholchcartl'd approval,. RcH;scveh shouted, "I will lead the way!" He felt.
1hat-"yo11 IIII;St.have in ypu.r lllen: aniJ_in your seif, the fighting edge.
<>11 mr 0\~11 hook," he asst'rtt'll, "I onlered imot_her ch_arge." He he-·
·lievcd that the deadly fire from the heights had to he sto-pped. He ran
to the front of the knoll :111d cried, "Forward to the Charge! Charge
thl' hill ahl'ad!" I lc was·comn1anding his men to follow him. 1
R
. Later, the officers of the 9th who were on the knoll agrec;dthat _this time it was Roo,sevclt aliu1e who initiated the ch~rge against the
heights. The only problem with ~rediting him was that he was delirinu-. witl1 exriternent. Wi1en l.1e stood in front of the Rough Riders
.a11d ordered the t·harge, he did not notice that only five of the hundreds nf troopers came after him. He started sprinting down the more
gradual desrent on the far slope, leaping over a wire entanglement
wit hour lookir1g hark. Three of the five who followed him were struck
immediately. IQ
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J I I II N .
Thr rc''' of the Hough ltidcr" hnitated. Ther were a moh, separated front thnr trnop t'IIJiliiLHllln" ;tnd huddir'\. Ther wrrr worn
11111. Al<.o, rhn \\'('1'(' f.1~111~ \\'h;ll rhn· ""w a·. . a <oolid "heet ofSpani<oh
hulkt<. and ,fwif, tnll1111g .,,·ri· the lop of the k11nll, fired from ,,;hat
rhn· rhn11):111 11111'-l.l'e .l·t·nmbi11.l!in11 of ritlt'\,IILll.·hille gttll'i, and t";lfl-·
111111\. It ''I'J'e.nnlltt rill' 1111'11 1ha1 11ntHil' .;,-otdd lin· ifiH' tried to get
I'·'"' the rrro;r. "IIH' < ""'11l.11HIIo.hh-;lllt'l' "··'' lnl.ll'l't·kleo;o; to he ollt'\'cd. '·
e\'Cil h\' I he nllitn\.
\Vhen .11 Lfq l{oo,en·lr ,·;,,,ilrd IHHII the o;ilcnre around hi1i1 how
few trooper<. \\Trt' \\'id1 hin1. he r~ali!t'd th;ll IIH' others rithn had not
heard h11n nr h:td 11;,1 hcrdnl him. "klliltg the men wi1_l1 him''' W;lil
under lire "·herr 1hn· \\'('I'C, fll' r;ln h;ltJ alone toward dft; crr<ol, leap"'~ rhe-ft'lllt' .1g.111_1. t )n 1hc 1\';l\· he' met the rq~illH';llal farrin ·\\'ho
had hit HIll q 11' .l111111J:-tn•111-;r "\\'( lfl11'd (IIYI fi.; lll;(k-:'-1{ I •f•Q>vd r S( i"•"pjlcd
II.-~~\ k ... .-\r(:· \ ·i 1,,. r '"'"'"" "\V"; ;,·,11lll·-d? ... n ~~ ih-r"fl-:-J'~llt('d rlie f:lrr il'f ~ ,j)
the h.~tk ;1nd. lodd.liun hr \\',1;, pllllk~· Jt• kt:l'l' nn-fightil;g, '"
Ron\('lrll r.dl~t·d 1hr 11n''l'l'r' nn the kn,"•ll hy n1rsi11g t_IH'tn.aiHI
dcm;HHii;l!! Ink 11·.""\· "I" rlw1· I.LHVnnl "11f'l'lll"ll'd liim. lie siHHlled. 111 · _
;~11 ;l~it;llrd ~-11LIII;,n, "I 111'\·l'~ rl11•.11gh1 1·n11 \\'ould rrfiise In f••llow.
where I k•HI. 1111'11 1 \\·,. 1111.1'-1 .HII-,111tT!" ,\ look 11f i1;jurnl j,ridt· "J'f"l';ld·
,Jmdr tll'l'r -r"J ... '-'\"t'.lll f.ttt''· The lrnopno; n·o;ponded, "\Vc didn't
hear 1"1111. \'\'c dtdn'l \1'1"_' ..,11 gn. ( "olnnd. I cad 1111 now ,·md \\'e'll
folio\\' .\"1111 ... \\"hell. f{,.,; . . cn·lt t·allrd "Hntu•h ltidcr<;, fi,rw;1i·d!" thcr ·
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let 11111 11nc "~''-"'·"' 11 hiu 'I'· ~llhflli-;o;in·ll" '"~'l'l'.llnl. "1-'\'nyhody d1;1rgc,"
;m·d prcp.nnlrn nn• .II leT l11in ;Httl. rhe ILl): l ;lf'rit'd hr ( :11l11r lk;irn
\Vrighr. i\ lr" llll'll '"''""dlf'r rq:inH'nt_.; ;·,;innl them."·~ At th.ll 1~"'"1. (,t.lll'J,d .\ut;IIHT rode up the knoll to take torn""'""· Hnn~ncll IH•lll'llcnTr 111 i11111 ;ll lll1t'~' .111d denLHHkd ;Jiflhnri/ .11 ion.r' i ' ~ 11111 ~ 11w tl w l I•.HJ:l· l1c h.HI ""' rt t'tl. \umncr ga ,;<' hi.; approval.
l•ut he nrdn,·d I l!'lll1'11.11it ( nlntH·I \'ide \\'h11 had arri1•cd with part
of the 1 \1· ( ;1\ ~,J, 1·," 11'111.1111 hci1ind 111 fnm; .1 hcl.1ted rcscrn·. Vide
.d" , h.Ill II 11 n · 1" " 'I'" nl II It' ~ rd ( ·.1\ ·• d n 1111 dn hi 111. ;111 d a lr w I{1111 g h
Hulcr<. trnn1 I I ""'I'· lh IIH'I1, .1hnnq "1'\"l'll hn11drcd trt11;pt·ro; IL1d
llflll"lkd·nnln .md .11••11i1d IIH· nt'\1 nl rill' knoll."
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lr'"'l' l'"""'". lnl111 ltohin<.ofl \\';1\ our 11fthc H1111gh Hiders
,Jrr.linnl fn1 !111' rnf'll c·. I li- l•t'J',):I'clllf·lltf'll.lllt ( "nlrllLl;l, "hn Lnd\
,_,kr. It-t nw 1'."' 11 .. , "dl 1,,: !111: " " " l h.lllll' I ""ill n·crhavc '"lire
r:
" " " 1'.1111
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FIRST TO TIIF. TOP
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When there was no response to his plea, Robinson deserted Coleman.·
. Ue joined the troopers around Roosevelt, shrieking at the top ofhis
lungs. lie participated in the charge on the heights, hut the next day
lw was killed in a meaningless exchange of gunfire with the Spaniards.H
Once. Roosevelt had Sunincr's consent, he gave the order for the
rliird rime to charge. the San .Juan Heights. He was waving his arms
'~hile holding the revolver from the battleship Maine in his right hand
as he C;llnmanJed, "Let all, brave men follow me!" This time, the
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response from the Rough Riders was a firm "We'll follow you." Qespite the continuin~ Spanish fire, the troopers tan happily after him
and Color Bearer Wright. Everyone was grinning. 44
<:apt a in Dimmick headed the 9th Cavalry after the death of Colond I Ia milton. He did not sec the Roug~ ·gig~_rs_ kav_cJ\ettle_HilL.As· ____ . _
~~-~{ul__:is_llc w~s ttJd ,~-ha~f~;ps~;~ft .had star.ted,.he ordered-a move- tllt'lll forward iti support o( the Rough Riders. After fifty ya-rds, the
white troopers were-mixed with the black.H
Crossing th_e valley was· hot, strenuous work on foot ~nd under
fir(·. The d1ar.ge hcgan like :1 flying wedge in the football games of the
dar. Rqosevelr was the poirH, with the revolver stuck in his belt. When
a westerner Sl:~rted the cowboy yell, the whole regiment took it Up
and the sound boomed into a roar. Roosevelt again interpreted the
roar as the hacking he expected. He too gave a shout of .exultation.
· With sweat streaming down his face, he impulsively turned to the.
deafened Bardshar trotting at his heclsand screamed, "Holy Godfrey;
wh;lt r;;ll! " 1 ~
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<:ritics said later that while Roosevelt was lending the second
charge, "the wolf rose again i'n his heart," and he was simply "revclit;g in victory. and gore. "The need· to prove he was not a coward still
prodded him: lie was rejoicing at the unbelievable extent of his sucC::c'is. In addition to his personal motivation, he was demonstrating to
·the regiment once more that "God is with__ us. "H
. Among the first to he hit during the charge was Theodore Miller
of() Tr;•op.ln vioi\Hion of Roosevelt's orders to leave casualties tC?
the medical corpsmen, Miller's friend stopped to hear him whisper,
''I'm going, !larry, hut it's in a good cause, is-n't it." Like many othns, he died believing f{onsrvrlr\ preaching.~R
"Jj, the ~mviving Hough l{idn'i, \\;Oli!HI~ h:-td hemmr m:-trks of v:-tlor,
1'\f't't i.dh· i( rhc\' J,J,.,J,,ro("''·h·. l)c·.lrll, "'''\'(''''''· \\'.1~ 1 ._,:J,;,., • (",
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bidden for·dr<:tll'-'~1111 .. , he illu.,trator hednil·l{emin~lonnot~·d that
well·cduLIInl. \'lllllhl111 in.>oJ"icro; like 1\lilln ex peLted to he killed in
rlw t;unp.u~rr. '' lnrnr. ·· J{erningtnn rnnarked. "_wao; old. talk .. tnth1·n·r.
.
In wh.ll "'·''·"'~'·"" ,,.._ .rd1nir.11ion nf ion~hne•" and nollTn\llrt', J{l;lllin~tnn h.1d ll.11mrd I rnm rlrc beginnin~ that "\'\food and l{oml'\'elt
\Vert'. had men .111d "·nnld lt'l'tainh· ~l'l the ynrrn~ lll~:n killed ... ,.,
Jr1 thic; n•rHe\1. h.rd 111!'.1111 "gnnd ;ll tlwrr job.''
r'rc ( ;,1/ II
When Hono;e_,rlt ;md 1\.rrd,har l·.rmc to rl;i. final wire enta11~lcment.
the\' nawlrd under .111d \\Till n11. 1\ trnnpn 'i.n back of them smao;hed ·
the <.tapll·'- nni nf't\\·n nltlrr \\·nod ,·~oq, with the burr of his corrhin.{'.
I k freed tire h.nbnl wrrc ,;nd the IT.'-1 nlrhc nwrr noso;ed easily. l'arker\
had ir~g··gullo;-wne· .11k.11 ,,.j IIJ:~ 1c11 I; :i 11-1 hc--1md.;r- of-t he ·Ill i-'\1 11 re-o f-K
;i.Jid_l.lri·•i•j''-~'·"-- --- - · ., -. ---~----·~-- ·_ ····... ...:c.. . . .
hom then""· ilrr d~;nge 'dq..:e11natnl i11tci romplett; disorder as
rlw Hnuglr Hr.Jn, 'f'lrrllcd nirw;nd. Thn fired ac; thn· ran. hilling
nothinJ!. ;liHIIrc•l l.HIII~:: ( ;nhiiH' h;irr~·ls bc·l;ltne sollot that llll';l were
afraid to throw 111 .111otlrn t.ntrid~c·. Thnrro;a1lds of hullers \\:Crt'.
drcij,ped in tlw)!Ll"-. lire .,elf-gencr;ited di11 nf their own detnnations
\\';1<. loud l'llflllt:h Ill I'C'f'-ILHk ihe tfOIIJ'l'f" that the Spalliards \\'l'IT
dwoti_ll)! .11 l.hl'ln ·''--'ll·.r, rh· ·'"before.''
Ronq·,rlr 111c·d wlrrlc- plodding drrou):lr IILH"hy grn1111d at the
north e11d nt ilw J'on.l. l,cHlll ,·orrr1p·i· and "'""nger nrrin.crs l.·•IIIJ!.ht rrp
to hrrn. l11 thrrr cnplinn.r. 1hn· .,\~TJ't b,· hip; ;llld the di.,intq.:ratil~i:~
\\'Cdgc. Thn· were <;till '-l.fl';lmirrg tlrcir.lll\\'ho\' n·ll. as' if IH;i._e alom:
l ould fri~lrrcn 1hc \p.11n.rrd ... ' ·
~ \VIrcrr Hcu"-c'\cll I'·'''l'll rlw p11nd .. 1 "J'l'lll hrrllet o;trrrrk lrim c1n
the h.ll.k "' Ill'- kit lr.in.l. 'llrio; \\';1" Iris th1rd mirror wo111HI. \Virl1ll111
hrc.1krrr~ lrr .. 1rn1, he·· "··"~"d tlr1· h.rnd in the :1ii· o;o.thc trcHIJ.WI'> rrr.rr
lrinr l·nrrld.'-n· rlw l•lc ,·,.c1 '-I"" J,. '-l'l'J'ill~.:. lie- ~lroutl·cl. ''l'n·.got it .1g:1i11.
l>n\·'-! 1'\l't:ot 11 .r):.rn'' .. I hen he trrrncclto,1 nrorT "l:riorro;h· \\'OIIIllkd
lrPPJ'l'r "'"" '~: .... kcFJ''"): p.llT wit.lr lri111 ;11Hil·\~·1,1inrcd L111~hingh·..
.. Yo11 IH'c·cln't f,,. ~ .. ci.IIIIIH'd prorrd!" 1\1 rlr;ll lllllllll'llt he ronsidnnl
lrrrnsclf the h.q'J''~"-' 111.111 111 ( ·uh.1.''
To rlrr lrl1 .1111l ,,·,·11 .rlll'.tclnl l11111. 111n'-1 of the 1q ( ·,l\.;1lrr lhi
1:.1dl' rlr.ll ll.lcll···· 11 < "'''II\"'·" J'lnc·cl'llint: '-'r:ri!•.lrr lc.r rill' "l'dor of
rill' .l~t··n:hl, 11c·.1" ' ' rJ,, 111.1111 \.1111r'.cr••• 1r.r·cl ·\, "''"" :1'- dw._,. lr""l'c·.rs
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FIRST TO TIIF. TOP
e
reached the edAe of the rise, enemy fire from the heights tapered off.
The Spani;lf'ds were faced with a thousand cavalrymen charging from
ldt.of the pond, another thousand .-rpproaching·frc>m the front, anJ
five thousand infantrymen flanking the heights from the south. Re. duced in.numher hy this time, the. Spaniards abandoned the San Juan
llei~hts in ~ood order and fell hack to their defensive line closer to
S;imiago. The hei~hts w;-~s the 1.-rst of the Spani~h fortifications to he
abandoned :1t San .Juan:14 .
After the enemy retreated, the only casualties the cavalrymen suffered that day were.stray shots from tlie inner Spanish line and from
the few remaininA sharpshooters in the trees. The noise generated
hr the t roope~s. however, co1~tinued. The R·;>ugh Riders could not
yet know that resistance to the charge was over. Roosevelt was still
l'L\Iatic.~'- -·.---- ....:..:. ---... -· ---,-~------ ...
--1\y~thc time'tllc Rough Riders,-the 9th Cavalry, anapanting·Roose-= .
vclt reached the heights, regulars of th_e 6th and 3rd Cavalry already
had taken possession. In the relative 'quiet, 1oth Cavalry trobpers
· · c1me up·on the right. The surviving ~paniards were gone, including_ .
·their wounded. Few prisoners were taken~ those who remained to
till the trenches were dead. Most of the corpses had little bullet holes:
in their temples with their hrains o01.ing out. 1A • ·
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l{ooscvelt and Bardshar were hurrying along the top of theridge.
when two Spaniards unexpectedly "leaped from the trenches" of the
~lead. The e1ieiny soldiers stood erect, leveled their Mausers, "and
fired ilt liS, ll<~t ten yar.ds aw;~y." Despite the slight distance, the har-· ..
ried Spaniards failed to hit their mark. "As they turned to run,"
Roosevelt reported, ''!.closed in and fired twice" with the revolver
salva~cd from the M,,inc. "missing the. first and killing the second."
'Borrdshar had stepped aside .to let Roosevelt have the honor. Now he
finished-off the man Roosrvel't missed. 17 ·
l{orrgh J{idcr Cliff Scott of J) Troop explained, "The Colonel jerked
his ~rrn and made a hip shot that was good, and he told a number of
us hoys he would rather we didn't say anything ahout it." To make
rlw "good shot," Roosevelt had yanked the pistol from hi~ heir in
true western sq·lr, hut he ac;ked for secrecy because he was not sure
that c;lrooting a man in the hack would enhance his image at home.·u
For a few day.,, the mrn did not mention the killing of the Span. i;'ncl "·l1<.1 lr.1d "turned rn run"' 111 ;1 v;rin :rttempr to ger away. They
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talked about it onlr to eat h other. hoastin~ ahout their l·olonel. Then
tht:y fot~nd that ltoosc\'clt himself hadhcc11 ·rctailiJi~ the episode to
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·correspondents ;tnd in letters recountin~ the h;-mlc's hi~hli~hts for
politician" and his t-i,·ili;tn friends.
Roosevelt finallv dct·ided that slayin~ the enemy soldin w;1s a·
coup. He could IIIli di'>til\Tr ;my other re~imental or .staf(officer who
had fired a \\T;tpon and hit his human mark at almost point -hLtnk
ran~c. IIi-. kill pnl\nl he had hcen in tlu• van.
"Did I tell \'on.·· he wrote to (:;~hot I od~r. "I killed a Spaniard
wirh mr n\\'11 h.md when lied the storm ofthr fir~t rcdouht?" Tht;
enjoyment \\';Js e1iriched hecauo;c he an:omplishrd thr Spanii~rd's en~l
"with"the pistol WJII gan· me·which '"""raked upfrom the M11inc."
1\y firiitg hi.; brother-in-law\ o;ou\Tni•'. he felt ht•-had done his hit to
.~'.rt·_nte;ulll"r .._the J.'-'11 t_lr~IJ ip \VbJ '"Ld_est IJ!ll ~ l.!J he_ h;1~J _h_1ng dt~H~('~
to thr Sf'••n•;n.d_.,_, .. _ --· --" -~ .·'...- ·- -- ·- ·
-- ---- -· --- ---- .. -Wig·n hi<: lrwn·tf., qtu·stioned Roo<n.-elt ahout how shooting anothn hun1.11t l'nn~: .11 less than tc1r rani.., made him fed. he Insisted
that he w,,.., "not 111 the lr.1st o;ensitiq· about killing ;tn)'lllllllhl'f of
men if there '" .111 .lllc-qu.llc re.lstlll. .. The motive he l·ifi·~l wao; rl~;tt
thio; was \\';H. 1'111 thnc ;JI'-'' \\TIT 111111H'Illione·d personal emotions.
IIi'> friend 1.d I 1. l\111> lt·q:usnn who h.Hienli..rcd in the ltough ltidns
sc•lch· 111 hr nc.n l{"""n·clt ohq·rq·d th;ll "no hunting trip so far has
nTr cqtJ;Jkclth•s in Tlici•clmc\ cq·s. \VIH"n I caught up \vith him he
h.1d tnst 'd""bkd "I' .1 \p.uush officer like a· j;ll'k·r;_lhhit' and all the
w;l\' dCI\yll to riH· IH'\1 lmc ;,f t•ntreilchments he rnl'oura~cd us tt.l
'lnnk .11 thco;c d;lliliH"d \p;lnio;h dc;~el.'"•·••
Tn a bi,: g·.u.n(·lluntcr IJkc Rnci..,cn·lt. ;I nmnin~ n1;111 wao; the ultilll.ltc prt'\,1''-J'Cll.l'ili .lltrr he tr.Jnsfnr111nlrhc o;Jain ~oldicr into ;1\p_an
,,.IJ nflil \'I.
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chapter24
Ending the Charge
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··- After:.the :capture of Sa·n Jt•an Heights, the troopers-gathered around· ,
· the loi1pholcd hacienda. They were more concerned about their empty
stomachs than they were ahout the Spanish dead they would have to
hury in the trenches. The men had not·eaten since. the early breakfast
that seemed to have heen consumed Jays ago, hut their rations were
in the packs they h;~tLheen ordered t<) leave near the hill at El Paso.
Fighting made men hungry. One Rough Rider asked plaintively,
"What in hell has. hel:omc of the dinner hell? I can see where I'm
g1iin~ to miss my cats.'' His sergeant tol_d hi_m to quit grumhling.
one re_;tlly expected to he fed that afternoon or night.'
Unknowingly, ho~cver, Roosevelt had emulated Civil War Col.
l.ew Wallace of the Union army who captured the Confederate soldiers~ breakfast at Romney, Virginia~ Here on the San Juan Heights,
the Sp;miards' dinner was still cooking on a. big wood stove in the
officers' mess, There was a ·Jar~e pot. full of the Castilian equivalent
of mulligan stew, maJc from meat the Rough Riders hoped was beef.
There were a couple of smaller pots of rice and peas and a dozen rice~
llour loaves of flat hre;~d. In addition, the Spanish larder included
salted flyin~ fish, hottles of wine, and a demijohn of rum that Roosevelt
referred to as "fiery spirits." A few men got. into the wine and the
nim hdore Roosevelt ha'd the jugs hroken. 2
No
Sur~ronl.aMotte gave the predictable warningthat the stew might
have hren poisoned :1s·a rulin;uy hoohy tr:tp. Roosevelt p;~id no at-·
t!'ntinn. Trpicdlr. he fed cnliqrd 111!'11 first. Thr food intcndrd·for ·
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t\venrr-tivr Sj1.mid1 ,_,(fin·l:~ was di:vid('d int1i small feasts.ft;rth~· fir<;~
one h1uHirC:·d tHH•J~cr .. ~l-nlinc 1ip.Tiicrc \\TI:c sci111e u;ps to ren·i\-e th~·
'>ll'\\', h1." nnJ_, ..1 k\\· J'l.llc'> •.·~· lltl'll'>il ... 1
~p.ini'h •.'t':l"tlllll):" prti,·etl _In be lllllll.i lih· the J{ough l{idt·rs'
11\\'ll '>nlrill\n:qcin l.trc.' Thn\t' ,\·ho ;Ill'. the 'Lilli meal declared the
~pai1i;;rd." tn l•c g,,;,(l· ~.nnk._..; ;I' ·,,·ell ;p; lllllt h sli:nr'igcr lightno; th;lll_
k1d hern npe_dc·tL
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. :rh,; Ch,,s~· ,,,·,,~' Oi'rTft!r'k ·,
fhe llil(ICII~I.r 1111 rlwJH·,,~jj,~·h'ac!'nn i,fft'll\in~ v;iltH·tothi: t;l\'aiiT Its
J:·,L;Iion·lllt'fl.J(;.d ••nlr·;;I'J'rn;l.liH'' fr;1111th;· ea\t~,Thr li.m·.of o;i.glit tn
~a,;i i.~l!.l.l w .1 '· 1~-~~~ · .11 1h.e ILil'll'Ud.l hut nrl -;ur ni..'crloi 1k a i10t 1;~-r tlnn;
huntir~·d Llrtj, :l.111hn \~T\1 ·th.lt w;l~ allgllcd w11h Kent\ adv;inl·(· tin
.b.:.'..l_l_.lll._l_l,l__l_I_I_IJj ~"J.·~rd~~~~k ,~.,-~_lJ.I.l.I...!..~J l~I!J~It'tiJ'\-' IH'.SJ!arlia rdo;.JJit~r
h·a·d. r.c1r:.c:1 tnLrc ,_ddu•srYc lrnes.nttt .n~l'-\··i"i bit~.
.1\Y;ur~i· i111: i.1kr~•i: ,;l.rllr.h~:ight' wa' "~'' \Tt ~·iullJ1Ictc; ( :apr;lin
lim''';: ,,.. 1'-.' \\;;ft;,·IIH';I ,\·hcnJ;c·H;de up to ilw Llrmhtm..,e w.ith an
•irdt;r·:,~;,ll; (-,·t'll~T:II \lllliiH'r io th~· t.rh ( :a,·;tlq·\ (:a,~taili ,Wcs.t \vho
1!;1t) hrl;ll, t hdi r(t. nlli~ n.t' •,i:t.·;llch the ht;ight s. Th(·· imt~qditH.l was for.··
\Xic.,( t,·,' ~-~-}~c,l'' .~,, ..... ,, •1r (,(1 he ,,,·nl' 11 ,k: \Ve,t o;t;l nct:l . hi.; regi IIH'Ill
lll~H~-hlllg. rl).!!ll ;I\\ ;I\ .
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: :. L1~11.11ri<:" ;lllH•.".l: the J{ougli Ridno; \1111 were urK_t.HrnteC.I. hut
1hne .were i11:1;,~·.,_Nnn ilit·ks< j{,·,,,,!'\Tit r.lllie~l_tlwth•opcrs in supI'Prt' "' tl11; ·(.,I h. 1\\ dn~ 1.1r.•w he h;l_,f-(;Hrghl his breath, and 1hc mc11
h.HI j.:.ii\\nJ .1 11cnlnl ll'~l'it~·- \\'rtl·i:nul .lllll;nritati·c.,ll fni111 s·ulimn
who.mrglil:. h.r\ ,. t•rdnrnl.ln kZ·cp tiH· ·l{nll,~h Hiders ;l\\:;1,: h·on·l thc
lrnllt .. l{,;n,t·.:l_'lt ,',llnl'ln< 1111'11 ;lnoo;, the ridgi·. 1111 the doirhk i11 the
••nk j;idun·l•n••k th.ir~~· n(rll('ILI\·.The tcrrai11 wao;ciperl. tfll' dist.llllT \\';;~:-~1\,,,1, -.;r.Jil 1hcn· ·\\',1\ JHt \p;lil·i,h ~~~ . . i~t.llllT. ·1 he trtHlJ'I'rs
~\Tri· ;;!tit· i;,_IJ,.Icl·:~·..,lr:ir:t:li; ~(i,;rse.- lhn· \fnpf't~d ;·,;1ly·to kr·l.cci ;illd'
iirr· thr·i;·l.lll~n~~·~ c'.l)~i·rh·:llc;l;mn: line" the\· llllrl~lllclt scr.'
~ AI .!. :-~ ;, r·,·"·· i lh~ l{nu):h I{ idcrs tc 1inrd \X'cst 011 t hr fin a I ridg~: R1u·,.,e.- · ··,
d·lr ln!illd lir'rnsl-·11 d1rellk nppo-.itc \aritiagt•. <aari11g' down_iillo l'irr
\lr~•cio;tf;:~,-~,·cr,.'ti,_~sntnl nl~!'J't {,, .. ,,,Jdir·r.;' mnn:'llll:_!lt~.The hca,·ily
llLl;'u1ed t..l~:nti-.ltlll'l;, ltc"·< 1·1-l\\'1;1'11 tl'11· p\·rrlnnk and the l il\' \\'ITt' itll
.i ,·,,:n.dil·,;;,iJ, 1,>"~'' i·J.._, :lllllll·I;H'rcl~· dll.-1'1' hnnclrcd Lll'ds ;IW;;, .. ·....
It '"·;'-I'\ .1:1r 1~ · 1... :I h, · ; 11 , k111;. • "IIi l i.,. .11 1Ii 1.. <;c: l'l i "" n f rill' f r nn t : I k '
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ENI>INC; TJI'f:CII/\RGE
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;~lryrq~iliH:-'nts were prcsent,-hut they amounted to only four hundred
troopers. Most of the other cavalrymen were milling aro·u.nd ~t. the·
farr.llhouse the Rough Riders had just vacated, wcrc'placcu· tin hap:.
t~ily in reserve with Viele at KcttlcHill, or wer~ located somewhere ih
. hct we~n·. There \vas also an infrequent infantrymai1 'on the 'overlook,
-..: · although th(' main body of infantry was digging in '<'>n S~n Juan HilL.
.lf~~~·si·veh h.l.d fwt calmed down. He was aggressively ~onsider~
ing· the ft;asihility i1f organizing the fouf hi.mdr'ed troopers .on the·
_ridge illlil ;-1n assault on Sa.ntiago itself when.Captain.:Howze a~rived
a11d ttild him nor to adva.llcc f:~rrher; .He was to holtLthc.overlook at
···- ;\,jh:mts. How7.e e:xpl;~irled, hec;1·use~tl~e heights had hechri,c· the key·.
. lo an :1tt~;ript to d~aw a horseshoe of conta.innicnt arot!nd the ap-_ ·
. .pn.,;.li:hes to the city:·~
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·. ·
--'--__..:,..----1-lowze-also advi:o;ed·l{<!liscvclniffctrc-:··iTfiffy.yarilst(>
,irotectrd·J-nfsiti<ifl-(lfl....-diFridge:Tfc
sl!rprlsc(ft{) h~at R~-~~~~;Tt -~ ·.
r~·sj)-ond tru~ulently; "Retreat! Therc-go~y men! S.top_,.them ify~nl
c;rl! I ca;l't!;, Fifty Rough Riders~1nd ~ ·JozeriJ:,Iack regi.il<l~S under
· dai-ing.Captain Jones of tht ·, oth had ~ontintied onehun.dred ya.rd~
. past the overltiok 'to a~poiiit w!Jerc they were exposed, suhj~dedJo
Sll:ll:rig crirmy f~rc, a't~~Lunsu,):JlOrt~d. ROl;sevclt was tempted to join
t heni with the: rest ·of the tr;>11p~rs; hut. i~erec~nsidcred .. On cq:m. ma.nd, .Jones reluctantly' rcturne'd·t~ thec>verlo~>k, while Ro~sevelt
~;irdgingly agrc~d to fall hack a couple <>f strategic pa~cs from the
· . cdge torr~c;llify Howze.~·
·: ·· ·. ·
. ·.'
'
· _:. '
was'
gaiJi'a-mo'rc-~-- =-~
-;According ,to the rwvclist Stephen <;r.ane who arrived alittle later,
;he cavalry on the ridgc'"w.~s dtlsty, d'ishevcled, its, hair matted f<! irs
. forehe;1d·with sweat, it~- sl\irts gltJed to irs ba'cks with the s~mc s.weat,.
and indescrihahly dirty, thirsfy,.hungry,'and a;.veary from irs bundles·
;11_1(1 irs marchrs.amr its figijk ft sat do~n on th~ conquered.cr~st and'
· fi·it satisfied. 'Well~ he'll! Here we a·re."'" ·
· . ·. . . . .
..
. . Rocrsevelt- was ,;or ~atisficd. :He·s.tt)()d recklessly in th~·operi and.·
~a zed a r cdle city th'~ough borrowed' field glrisses. Then he S<lUiltered
. u·,~ ;u~d down past clusters of. prone troop.ers,.co.nsideringwhe.thet to
·oher Howze's order not to advance. just dead _Buckey O'Neill had.
rliumhed his nose at da11ger, Roosevelt hehaved.without ·regard for,
~
.
.
.
.
.
.
hl!llt'rs"urttillg thr grass at his krr. The r11_en lying on the ground said
rHithing In hirn, hut the~> rcmrrllhercd O'Neill vividly. They ~ere
wn11dnin~: hn\\' Inn): i1 ""'.rid h1· hcf1,r1: l{nns!'vclr w:1s hi1.•
as
�e
I I II II Y
HI
If I \ r \' I· I I .\
I \ 1\ N
I I 1/\ N
W11h the ficld,:f.t,,,.,, Hnn\1'\'t•lr ;tl"nl't'l'rt'd into the nctwns of a
l!ffl\'t' nf rn\'.d p.tlin lrt't'~- whnr t'll;;lll\' .. h;trpo;hnott·ro; were hidden
111'.11 rflf' \I'·""'" lit" II< hr'. ffll' J:lll'l rdf.t\ Ill If11• IITI'Illl'." Sllllll \VI'I'!' _...
d"l'·"' hnl h, ·., ,ft.r.h 111111'111 11l Ihill\' I''' ked l{nugh -Hidn marko.;-·
111!'11. I hnt· \\·,p; 11nlhi111: '' icnrifi,- -;t_hnul rht· prnl·cdurr. \X'I~t·n_rhn·
.;;"" .t "!'·""'"-''"Ill''"''"'~'~· rhn· l..dlrd him. \VIwn ht· \\';\'; ill\:io.;ihlt·
111 Ill' J'l'·r,·h. rhc l{nll,:h HHll't' o.,intph· lltindnl rlw hrandH'" with r.tn
dom htdlt:to., unrd rill' \p:t111.11d \\'a.., flit ;tnd fell nul oftlll' trrt·.'"
l{nm('\'dt nh"·rn·d rh.u rht· IILtil; \p.tni•di ddcnsive line 111 fwnr
·.,1 rhc qt\· bcln\\' h1111 \\',t~ l.11d ""' 111 lormid.thk rriplr l'lllfl'lll:hmenro;
.i11d lriJ'Ic ciil.lllglrnu·llti.. hom the IITillht"S, c:ni·nn• ;1rtillcr'y and rifle.,
W!'H' rhunilrr1n1: rht·lr lire iiJ' .11 thl' llll"t't'll AntniLtll soldici·s. Htlnsc\'l'lr _H';ll rnl h,- rdn'"''"l! tiH' nhamtnl UH'Il i11to a firing. lint· on the
o\·nlnnk .. IJc.h.td rlwnt.lu: ll.tr jii~Lhrhind rhc ulgr_ofthr ritlgr \',lht:r_r __
rhn·-·\\'crc· rc I. 11 11 cl \ '>;t lc bu l~lcoul d--~C"I'"IHI- -if_ llt'cdcd .-A It lu IH).!h ~ i1___ _
w;l'; mid-.tltcrnt1111i :utd <.;lllrn·. hr diqrihurrd t·apturrd Sp;lnish hLlllkci ... Thc·rc _\\ nr rn• llll!h lnr nnl\' nne Hongh Hider iit IC'Il. The rest of
;hr hH'Il \\Till""''"'''''~ ,,.,·he hin;.,ell did_,~.jH'Il he strt'tdted .,;,~till the
ground to t.1kc .1_ h1'id rro;plft'. 11
·
\X'ith thr d.11tgn frn1it nKmylirc li:so;ened. thr tension on the o\'cr·
look eased. Au·11rd111g t•i Rooo;t'\'Clr, howe\·n.c he remained illl the
alert: Thrrc "'~·rc hLH k l·;n·alrnncn ,\·ithout their wounded or kill~-d
whirr nflin·ro;. lie hclu·n·d th;tt white trnnpns who lost thrir commiso;lnllcd Plli,·n.., 1\"nnld ,·;liT\' 1_111 \\'itlt o;t·rgt\Htt_s· in l'llllllll;Htd-hut
th.11·,;.\T11 \Tin.tn hl.11k rrnnJ'n". \\'nuld he 1111rrliahk in rhc.ahscn~:c
of "·l11tc' in ,·n11trnl. \VII\· clo;c. he rhollgltt. would thr \Xo'ar lkpar'tIIH'Ill Ita n· l''""dn I wIt ir c ,·d ficn~ Inr hl.1tk rcgi mrnts?
,\., Hnmn.-lr lt.td .t.nlitip.ttnl, o;nmc of rhc hbck soldiers "hcg;)n
111 drift In rill' lt',t_r. l'lrlll'r liclpin).! rill' wounded or to tlndrltcir m\·n
rq:tmcnr•;, .. ( l.llntllt): tlt;tt rlti .. ret r11gradc 11111.\'Cillcllt had to he h;llted
hcfnr\' II llll"llt'llllllfl_ .1 ~.l.llllJ't'lll' l'tHf.lii)!('I'IIIJ..: n·(·ryone 1111 tfte ll\Tr·
ltu-~k. he '·'"I th.tt lu: "j111111~l'd IIJ'. drc\\' Ill\; revol\'l'f, and ctllnlour
rlt.11 J·wnuld o.,ftnn( d~t· lirq .nt;llt who \\"1'111 In rite rear. The 'smoked
.. Y.tnkcc..,· fl.t . . ltnl rltcir wl11i1· trrtlt .111d hroke into hroad grino;, "I.'
)
Hnn\t'lr·lr l"l"l'"·''"rd rlt.tt ·'l'·'rr f~"'" rhio; one incitJent.thr com.1gc <.hn\\ 11 h1 ·l·l.11 k' 111 1 nnil•.ll lt.ld lln·11 1'\t'll.tpLtr\', F\'cll l~nngh·
HHirl' "ft,, 1\n•· 1;~,-, .. dH nl (,llllltiiT\Innr·r< l11· rnainLtinrd.·henlT·
ln11h 1• ""I.Jf.,· ",IJ,.,,._--''In ,lr111L ""' ,J! 1l11· \.IIIII' t".lllll'l'(l."''
-
l'NlliNC; TilE Cli/\RGF.
.
----
'
llow1.r rern:uked that the hLu;ks were impressed with both the
wlonrl\ dctrrniinatic1n and tli(• proven killin~ power ofthc hig revolver from rlw Maillt'. Tlt,·y srayt•d on rlH' overlook, as they would
lt;n·t· .. if Roosevelt had simply ordered them to remai11· instead of indulgin~ in histrionics .
Next Roosevelt al'tcd to srrcngth<.•n his defenses. Because his troop. ns were so few· ~omparrd to the thousands of Spaniards they faced,
he fearcd·a ro11ntcrattark and set the men to di~ging trenches. A few
·used L·aptured Spanish shovels. Thr rest employed any implement they.
l·,,uld f!nd. They wielded w~1kirig utensils, cups, dishes from the few
mess kits, rans, tna1.:hetrs, sticks, pointed rocks, and as a last resort,
'
fi11gcrs. 11
.
. .
· .
••
The Rough Riders Jug without complaint. Willingness to obey
_ ____ orJ.t.:.r:.s d~st~i_t_r (at!girr w_;_l~_ty_p_it:_al_of_tbem, al~h_Qllgb.the ~ntr~nchiog_
____ pwmised .tolastirito~the,night and.could.not.accomplish much with
. rhe primitive tools at hand_. Meanwhile, foreign attaches d~<;lared that
the American advance up the San Juan hills was something no other
an.uy in the world could have improved on. Correspondents were
d~·scrihing the hattie as having hecn like a string of exploding dynamite sticks ·three miles long. 11
111 the-Air
Shortly after 2 'r.M., couriers froni· Lieutenant Miley advised General
Shafter a little prematurely that "undouhtedly we have the heights;"
·Shafter got out of hcd, dressed, and rode to the top of the hill at El Poso.
- The afti.·rnoon was getting hotter, adding to Shafter's malaise. By
2: _lO hr could ser ·from the hilltop that the heights were unoccupied
"" Ameriran forces for a half-mile north of the Rough Riders. It was
c~-itir~l that thr gap he fillet!. This was the position Lawton was sup:
·posed to have taken, hut he was still hogged downat El Caney. Sumner
had dispatched urgent messages to Kent req~resting support hut had
received only one regiment, the I vh Infantry. Kent's forces were at.
least as mixed and as spent as the cavalry; and they had to cover the
<~xpansr cast and south of San .Juan Hill.'~
Under thr t:irrrrmstanccs, Sumner· described the whole cavalry .
pmition as "in thr air"-that is, tinsetded. Th-e northern flank might
hr rrrrnrd hv the strong Sp;111ish force Roosevrl·t feared, routing the
~-.1\·;tln··;md fflrkiti111~ rill' r111 ir(' ;Hh':llllC. Another l\mr.ric1n division
�e
I I II II Y ll l I l I ' I \' I I I ,\ I
\AN .
II li\ N
wac; needed IJIIIlkk I hat l'l11lld nnh· he I ~nvt'on\. At two o'cl(,l·k,
hn\\'nn. I ,1\\11111 h,,d j,;q nrdnnl hi\ artillt·r~· mnvcd up .for the first
time .. nhll hl'n nnl' '" .1 rl'"'''·"'d Lndo; frnm rill' \·illa~t·. At 1.: .\0 hefln;tlh· "'·'' t·;,JJin)! l11r .·'" nrg.llli1cd ;Hh-;llllt' ;1g;l1nst the fort.'-.
·lh· tl""'''"i·. \h.llrn "·'' rudull\' ,l\\',11l' rliat he had erred-in 'l'lit'"'1'. hi"'"'''' lwt\\'l'l'li !:1 < ·.lllr'\'_,tnd '-..111 ln.ltl. h·adul nlthl' 1111~,
Ul_IIH' ill hnth .I1Tll.l'.. l11· '''Ill .111 ;tidc In I ,1\\'tllll \\'ith tht• dt·m;md that
the· ud.111111 dl\ '"'"II dl'i'IIJ~·'I~'· .11 II ( .. 1111'\ .u lllltt•: "You 11111\l Jll'll
U'l'd \\'lth rlw ll'lll.lllldt•J nf \ lllll fi•n I' ,11111 111111 llllllll'di,tii'J\' IIJ'l.lll
.'-.11111111'1 \ IIJ'.IIt ... \lLIItn '•• dn nl '''
. I ,1\\ IIIII lt.i.l 1111 I ""''"''Ill,. Ill •;h.dt;.,· .. ·"'"'''' ,,, tlldg·· till' ;.,,,:111
nftht• d.lllt:l'l .II \.111 J11~111 .. /\11111'11\J'I,I_ti· \\',1, ;lfr.llll th111 ilh.lltdllllilll\
I I ( .1111'\ " ' " " ' " J,, .. 111 ·'""""'"II nl ddt·.tt I""J'•Irdi!ing hi-.ciiTt'r. I k
duln111 nltn rl11· nrdn. lni.Ht.lw did 11111 <Hknowlnl~t· rq.'l'ivin~~ it a~
-p:rrn'it·rh··~ll.i\ \-ntti,,-:.lri·l'tlrd. II I IIi in. I TC:i 1lc~· ~\·;\s ~~--q,l.lr:,.~;·E,~~--~ -_ ·
·
\\·llldil, h'.l ,(:,;-;-,-lie· i·i~d~ r!·g~l-r~llt·<;-. -, ~, ~-;~~-~~~~~p;~ll~'l'S, ( );; i r;~--~. ~,.,;~t h.
.
nlthi\ lltlr.ut.d•lt- J,,.J~,I\·inr, hi-. .,uJ.nnlinatn l''idainu·d th;ll "l.awton
·": .1 l1nn ... _I li- l"llll:d \\:h~·.l'ln. YollllJ!.\V; .. ,d. ;ind l{oo'i('\'t'h it; \'iolattll~ Shaftn:,_~pn di, "'"'hltt_inm \\'ithout innfrrin~ a pcnah~·.'"
The l.,pani.nd-. """" t_ricd to 1;1ke ad,·;tnLtgc of l.awto11's rcdkitran~T. t\t 4 r·. \I. the Rou'gh f{idns· rntr<'IKhin~ \~as inrnruptrd by a.·
comp;tll\: nllnm lnmtfrrdSjiani.trds ;tth-a;King in spread for;n;ition.
l'hc llllt'llit;,;, ,,·ao; Ill tuni Rnt;'l'\Tit\ ri~ht flank where l.awtoil w;\s'
111 have htTil ....
Roose\'clt thought thr Spanish inLmtn· "showed itcr\'l: .. in their.
011ly. offcml\·c of the l.linp.ti~n. t\ftcr the SJ'ianiards lt'ad ad\'anc.ed a.·
hundred r.tnk h"wt·n··r. I';Hker kt niH' (;,,tlillg gunlooo;e on the-cxpmcd l'lll'tll\·._ H"'"''' t"lt -m;Jint.lllll'd that .tlln· o;·impl~·-."di.;;lppe;ncd."
· l'ltt· \p.ltll.ll'd .. llt-,1 ·"''' !lH· HPu~:h Hidno; put down the c1rhinl'S th;•\'
h.ul tH•I lin·d. ·1 ht'n 1hn "'~""' l•.tl·k tn their di~~ing and snapin~:·•
)
h'l''l.1lh. "t'·'"'"h <,,·twr.ll I in.m·-. h.td dispatdll'd too few sol-d,cr" inthr llllltlll'l.llt.H k. \Vith the druhhing. the San_ltLin fight con-:
dutfed ... ltio;l.tl!Prih lor the Amrrir<lll'. 1~1 the S<tinc time, l.awtc;n\
di,-i.,ion tonk _II ( .1nn .. The ~ z.o \p.1nianl" :11 Fl ( :anc\' h;ttl resisted
I ,1\\'lnn'\ ''·''' '" ln(·n lnr trn hnttr\. :\\till' ,-iiL!gr ;li_HI thrn the fort
ltrl:ltnc tttlf('lt.thlc. tlw '"II 1\ "~'' n·trl'.llrtlti•w;nd \1111ia!!" thrn11gh
.111 :\nH'rh .Ill.•. ,,,,,fire
I hnt· 1\o lo : · " • '-.1'-1111'·11 t.l'-ll.llltl" .II Jll-.1111'\' . . \ln11"1 (,,, 11!'1
e
~-
'ENDING TilE CHARGE
lTIH of the enemy infantrymen were killed or wounded. A hundred
soldiers escaped to Santiago and 120 were captured.
contrast,
l.awton lmt 4 ~o men, ahout_~ 7 percent of his force. He had fought
l·alltii>mly, despite both the urgency that developed for him to win
qttil·kly and his characicrii'.ation as a lion. By five o\:lock, the valley.
1111d till' Snn ,1111111 l'llttgt• Wl'l'e qttil't, l'Xl.'cpr for Ol't.'nsiottnl rille shells.
fin·d hy skittish.sl'ntrirs.''
In
Mil·;· rlw Spanish Wllllh'ratta~:k was stopped hy the c;,HJin~. Sumner''
twollllndr(;d 1111'11 frorn tlw n·srrvr on Krlllt•llill to support ltooN('
\'I'll. Tlw l'lltirl' l'llVIilrr division 111 tlw frntll hlul hrc·n n•dnn•d to tlw
C'tflll\';tllont of lour lull rq.~,int~·nts out ol tlw_six thnt st~trtl.'d thl.' d.,y ..
t )tu· troopt•r in thn·t• hnd ht'l'Oilll' 11 l'I\Nlllllty or wnN nwny from lhl.'
front aidi11~ till' wnundl'd, on burial dl·tail, or not yet ac<:ountcd for. 14 ·
___ ~-~__hc>m hisht·;Hiqttarll'rs-m·ar.EII'oso, Shitftcr-put-Whccl<.'r hnck in
-·~ -----ronun;1nd of..th~ ravalr-y-divisiond fcr_rrurned Sumner w the tst-Rri:·- - ·
~ade where thl're was an opening hecai1sc Colonel Ca'rroll had heen ·
shot. Wood n·taincd tlw l.nd lh·i~ndc dttrinRthc ~o:nntinuing Jisnhility ·
-i ,f _<;en era I Young. Roosevelt remained joyously in command of the
l{ou~h Riders.
"'Ill
_
Nearly Plrmkcd
Roosevelt had held the overlook against the Spaniards in compliance
wi.th Hc>w7.e;s order. Now Wheeler rode up to tell_ him that Shafter;s .
staff wanted the Rough Riders ready to fall_ far back to a more defens_ihle line.
_ Elated hy his gl<~rious day, Roosevelt demurred at discussing a
ll('~ativc like a retreat that brought hack memories of talks with dead
·<:a pta in (:apron. "Well_; ( ;cner;1l,-" Roos<.'velt replied, contemplatively,
.. , really don't know at this point whetherwc would· or would, not
accept an c;rder to faNI~ai.:k. If we move out of here at all, I should be
indincd to make a rush in the right dirl'ction, to take the city."
. "Is i! cymp~1lsory in the J\rn1y," he asked the g<;neral in mock
ingl'nirousness, "to ohcy orders 'that arc oral?" He insisted that he
wanted his instnKti<)r~s in writin~ ifthey went against his grain. The
l{ou~h Riders would go forward on any pretext to take Santiago, he
a~scrrcd, hut they \vould not retreat toward El Poso without at least
;ill oflirial dill'lllll<"tll he u11tld rcrain. 11
,\fin \X'IIl'cln ldt. l{om('l't'lr ,;dd lti\ officrr\ tl~;u·thc old general
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I I II II \
. J(
tIt I' I \' I I I ,\ I \ ,\ N
J
IIi\ N
The -:n·neq ln"l'' \\'l'JT in "c111\ inhntry .regiments. The San
. 111.111 lltll .11-l.llk "''I' the mmt damaging hr f.1r. The f·th lnLH!,_try.
under 11.1\,k'"' lmt !f• l'~'~lTill id i~".;nwll. The ·I \th wh.id1 htn halknf
. dw l aLtlt:' ""the "''~'tl"nk lnq :!. 1 pe.rn,-111. The 1 f;tll_loq 1•1 pt."H.cnt.
,\.,_;1 l11'-f•1• ll.d l""ll'·l' i-:nn. hn\\·1·\·n,·thnt· \\'ere 11111d1 hloodin ( :i\'il
. \V:n I>.Jttlt--:._ ·\rt11\· l,,,n· there ('\tTI'ded ·lnl't:rl:t·nt. '"
hH'IIl\ l .l':li ..Jt!O'': .11 \.111 111.111 \\'!'rt' lllitiallr J'UI l'llll'>l'J'\';11i\'l'l\' :11
1:; l'l'll ('lit."' .llld111"" in the 1,.,...,, .., .l_t II< :.lilt'\". B~· l: \Cl I'.~L. ho\\'
t'\Tr. three h11ndrnl "'"IIIHinl \p:111i.Hd' h:td been Liken froin the hill
a11d the hc1gl11, '" dH" 1111lit:liT hn.,pit.d i11 Santiago. That was m_orc
th:1n c;o l't'rlellt. ,\d.l•tinn.tll.l'·ti.tlt'"ir' \\'t'IT being brought ino;t~adilr.
Str;n· AnH'rtl.lll l•ulkt' \\'l'l'l' l.tll111g 1111 rite hno;pital-without. hll\\·-~
l'\'l'r, Llll':lll'! ill)lllll'<... .' 1
- -Tlw O,p.llll"h "lldli.·r-:.\\'ere.dt·IIHII';llitxtLTht·Ldid nouhink that
retaining.. ( ·ul>:t"";l'-~l·l'lllt•n\··\\'a'> worth -tlwir--li\'t's ... ln addition,. tlwy ..
resemnl d~t·' ltl\t;rit·, nlfilTI'" '>till cn.jo'·'::d in nlt\11, \Tgerahks, and
KC. Thn· .ll':tlt.llllli'LIIIICt) tneach othn that Americans fon~ht in a
m:HHH'r cnntr:~r,· tn \\'hat tlw,· had hccn tr;lined tt) think tif its aj)prit::
rrra.tc in war. l"urope.llt<;oldin.; fired their. riflec; in 11nim·n and fell
hark t'o rdo;ltl. fh.lt.\\',1\ \\'hat the sp;lni•dt infantrymen usnallr did.
Americ111' ~:etH·r.dk kt'J't ;llkllllin)! wl11k firinR at individn;ll tar·
J.!l't-:. Till'~ 11'1'11 ~hl'lr i·_tfk .. :l~t-IILltel\' :1'> ~llark.,meiL: 11
· ( .etu·r.d I lll.ll ,., h.td not. ;ulcq11:11rh· ·'"l'l'k-lncnted hio; <>p;IJ'>t' dcfcno;n ._11 1·1 ( .tnn. \.111 ln.111lltll. m "rille llill. lie brought t~1 the-.~·
outer ddrn.;c lull''""" .111 e.tghth of tlw o;oldins and sailor-; av.lilahlt'
tn hun Ill .md 1ir.n- the t·it\·. Thi.;. "''"It''" th:ln a sixtt~enth of the .sold-_
in., lw·l"""":"'dcd in th·,. dl\trilt .1nd ln-. than a lwndredth of the
\pan1-:h·'"ldll'r' 111 ( nl•.1. Jlr,pitt' tlw.l\inu1 thattll_;(.. t~;_tined soldin
bt·hmd cl~·, .11i·d ddt·n-:r-:- i.; rqn;ll in fighting power to 'l'\Tn ;liLH-k·
-er". lw h:id .tlln\q·d hi-. lt•rln .11 \,111 ln.lll·f,; he outiwmhncd.fom·
trcnln nJH'.:
")
Yet I 11~.m·-: l•l.11nnl hi, lm., nn thr ( ultan rchclo; once ;lgain. lie
A) ll.11111nl t\i.lt rhn: h.td, .tn-:rd hio; rnnn·t·nltunn from ~l:mi:1nill~, to
1
l.11l tn .nri1T 111 tiiJH'. I k did nnt :ll·knn\\Jrd):e that hi'> own di.,po'>i ..
llllll.nl "'ld11" l1.1.l l•tTll l.tlllt\· "' rlut tiH: dft:l·ti\Ttll'"~ of tlic Sp:llt-,,J, 11tl.tnir \ lu,l_l.,-, '' ,,.,J, .. nil•\ tlu· lnn11.tl \1\'k of \·olin· firing. The
\1'.1111,_1. .... ~1,1,,-,,· 111.11 1 11 '"'hit• 1\".l'-1''1''' i11 \"tlllt·y.;_ Tl~t·\·t·,,n,i'>ll'lllll·
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~
e.
FNIIIN<; TilE CIIARGE
if there had heen hetter c;upport hy Spanish artillery, they might have
held off tlu; Americans despite volley firing. Then malaria and yellow
fever would have ht·n,me the decisive fact<;rs for the si10rt ter.m. 14
The hattie for Santiago was _one of the few times an American army
. routed an enemy of potentially superior strength positioned on a for·
· tilied hill. Although tl1e Americans did not re:-~liz.cit, they already had
won the hattie for Santiago. The Spani:-~rds discovered that the end
had colne when Fl ( :a;1ey was lost to Lawton. Lin~ res had not known
that Santiago's entire supply of fresh w:~ter was piped in from El
<:aney. When that·~~s cut off, or11y the water.in cisterm was left.H
The conclusion of foreign milit:~ry experts was that "Shafter's
n111ductof the campaign was im:ompetem and culpable, and bis ulti·
marl.· sun:cc;s w:~c; undeserved good for'tm1e. No precautions were taken
.. against. r.e.vet:s.ec;. The..d;~ring_of .A.!ner-ic:~n ~f.O,Qps -~~-s e_J(~eed<;~ <.?!lJL. __ :) ·
. hy~~their .extreme ·rashness.~· .Roosevelt and the Rough_Riders__w.eri__
the prize examples of audaCity l:~ced with imprudence.'"
Fi11allyDarkllc.u Fell
When evening c:~me, the situatiori of the American soldiers at San
,lua1i was dangermis and unc<imfortahle. Their lines-were thin. They
were merely. three hurHlred y:~nls from hundreds of rested Spaniards.
j:_xcept fo,r the lirck y few who h:~d shared the meager portions of. the
Spanish dinner, the troopers had not eaten since early morning.Therc
wac; no water. The men \vere so:~ ked with swe:~t. The night was growing cold. Coats and blankets were scarce. 17 .
I kspite the hardships, the soldiers expressed no discontent. There
was onlr a determination to hang <lll to what they h:~d_e:-~rncd. Roose·
velt said he told Wheeler, "We could not ha~e ta_ken the hill if the
Spaniards _hadheld <nit, hut after we got to the top, all the Spaniards
i_11 Sj)a in L:ould not h:~ve moved uc;. ".IR
·
( )ther officers ~~ere no.t as <;rtimistic. Wheeler reported to Shllfter
;lf H:l.o l'.t-1. that "a nmnher~lf officers h:~vc applied to me to have the
line. withdrawr1 and take up a strong position further back, and I
expect they will appe-al to rou. I J1:~ve positively discountenanced'
that .• as it would L·ost Ire; much prestige ... ,Q
Fi11ally it wa-; dark. The 11ight\ respite was wckorned hy the Rough
({idcr". J{omr\'elt shared one optmed Spanish hl:tnket with two
t1"ol'n'· I k q11itkh· kll .t .. ln·l'-
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.l~en·ilk w;t' ;tf tlllet' ,·,·dock the following morning. No hu!!lcs ·
c;ounded. ""' ,·Ill' 'l'i'gcants mo\·cd.·ahout in the darkness among
the huddli:d 1"1111'. sltaking the lllCI.l nut of their blankets. Shortly ..
ilftcr da\'hre;tL (PIInwlllJ.! a breakfast of rancid banm. hardtack.
and hitter roffn·. the _l~ou)!h Riders n11•ved out of Sihoney in a ..
column pf fnurs. As the dense tmdcrbrush dosed in. the t_roopers
were forced In narrnw dm\·n .to two·. and finally io sii1gle file. 1\ ·,
thick :curtain nf _l·atttl<;. ,·incs. and low trees lined both sides <•f ·
the trail. hiding small. secret places covered \vith undulating tall
grass:. Soon. the undcrhrush was so thick that no. tr;i:rc of the
column pf Rq~ularo; nn the right could he seen or heard except ·
for a faini huglc r_all nnw and then. although they were less than
a half mile ;"~·av. ·
·
-·
·
· 'li1 Theodore R•u•-;evelt. it seemed. the perfeCt way to gt} to
war.· Riding ncar the head nf ·the rc!!imrni. he 'thoi•ght the ex-.
pcdition mo!c like' a·huniing. trip than the hcg.inningof the conqm•o;t of< ·ut\a /\ttht• nro;t of a hill. he found that the tropic sun
had burned ;1w;" the mnrning mist. allll lw mnincn_tarily reined.
in hi-; hnr-.r I•• l!.;llc ;trrnso; the secmin!!lv pcarrfuh·allcv th;it lay.
beneath"'"' RP\:tl l';tf,it' rcadll'd inlt~lhc o;kv and here and there
:J
"
) ()
.'
.,.,__ _
(·ROWDEn
HouR"
e
293
he saw trees covered with masses of hrillfant scarlet flowe·rs. "It
seemed ha1_:d to. believe· we were about to go. into a sharp and
bloody liitle fight:· Roosevelt later 'recalled.
.Only the senior officers were mounted, so the men-:-now wryly
callin~ tliemselves "Wood's Weary Walkers"-trudged uphill with
iwavy packs. their nan"nel shirts hlack with sweat. Land crahs .
. snJttlcd about in the jun-gle and vultures wheeled ominously overhead. The trail led over the spur of a·· tow mountain range and
then twisted 'r<)r more than a dozen miles down to ;..the Spanish
stronglu)ld at Sant.iago. Every 'tree might conceal an enemy sniper,
hut the troopers were. according to Roosevelt, '.'filled with eager ·
longing to show their mettle .." In spite of t~e heat and swarms Of
flies and gn;its that swirled about them, they laughed alld joked.
____ .:.'D<t!lJn["_:_ s_hguted QH~- Jropper~amid~_cries ___ o[_approvaL ____
___ "Wouldn'ta.cold glass.oLhecr taste ..good?" __ . ·- ...: ------ --- ---~
. New to the tropics an·d always an enthusiastic naturalist, Roosevelt was fascinated by everything he saw. He peppered Dick
bavis, who. was riding behind him on !l mule and knew the island
well:·with questions ithout unfamiliar birds and _flowers. It looked' .
like good deer-country. he observed. Indeed, it had bee·n. Davis
replied. before being devastated by war. The cooing of a brush
cuckoo caught and .held Roosevelt's attention. Not until later did
. he le;irn that the Spaniards imitated the bird's call to signal the
Americans' approach.
·'· ·
The reginicnt kept up a brisk paceand therc.wcre_few stragglers
even though .the· cowboys were unused to ·marching. Toward late
morning. Captain Capron sent back word he had come upon the
. corpse'mentioned by the guerrillas. Colonel Wood ordered a halt .
~here the trail dropped sharply into a deep ravine, and then
ti•rned upward to a long ridge topped ·by the crumbling ruins of
a large ranch ho-use. The officers dismounted and the men were
ordered to load their carbines.·
Roosevelt was telling Edward Marshall of the New York Journal
a funny story about his employer. William Randolph Hearst, when
. his eye fell on some barbed wire curlih.g out from-a fence on the
left side of the trail. He reached for i strand and looked it over
with the eye of an experienced ranchman. "My God!" he dedared. "This wire has been· cut today.'_'
·~what makes you think so?" asked Marshall.
�e
1()4
TIIHliHIRF. Roost=vrr r
e
"Mv
CROWDED HouR"
e
295
"The end i.; hri~ht. and ·rhere hao; heen enougi1 dew. even since
spout hullets .. Within three minu.tes, nine men lay crumpled in
o;unri-.c. In put a light ru.<;t on it.··
.
the tall grass, among them Edward Marshall. Hit in the spine, it
Sulldcnh. t>fl It• the ri.l!hl the tw•• field ~uns with the H.e~ulars
was 1hough! the wound was fatal but he survived.
.
l>oPmed Pill \\'hcthn intended or not. the-.c two shots were till'
Pinned down hy an invisihiC enemy. Roosevelt and a few officers
sil!_nal for tlw t>peninl! "' a lin·li~lll. Bullets kirked·up the ~roi111d
scarl'hcd the _jungle with field glasses for some trace of the enemy
_at the ket PI the 't;utkd Rou~h Rider" Under lire for the liist
so the. -Rougti Riders· fire ·could he delivered with more effect.
tulle. thn· hc'-ILI!t"d·," the t>pen :·ncp1Pv 1"shoutcd Woi1d. ""Iitke
:S11ddenly. he heard a voice shouting for his attention.
rnve r , ..
"There they arc, Colonel! Look over there! I can sec their hats
. Springlllg tn lilc. the n{cn darted inlt'·lhc dense hush. Thcv
ncar that glade! ..
uo;ed the butt.; t>l their rarl>ir!l'" ,,; hat down frantically the almost
Roosevelt turne.d to sec Dick Davis, glasses to his eyes, pointing
impcnetr;tl>k ~"'"tiL "It was like fon·in!! tiH>walls of a ma7c."
al'ross tl~e ravine. Looking in that direction, he spotted the hats
reported J);t\i' "If e;1d1 trn11pcr had not kept in touch with the
. and pointed them out to three j>r four marksmen, who concen. man illl eithcr-.h;utd. he Wlltild han- hee.ll lllst in·'"t11e thicket. 1\t ·
trated their fire upon the indicated place. At first, there was no
_ ~·n<;_ ~~~!l~cn_lllfc llrHkrl>n.r-;h q·emcd ~"'armin~ with troopers. and
indication of. results, hut after several volleys, the Spaniards
_tll(' n.~~~- r_x_l:~pt~t~,-~;l_~~!!u)l..c~ntf!)lc·l~~,~!~-~~rc~•~i_,1g_._;\i,~fthc I1c:tvv -~---· ---- 1 · ·-~ -~ .
._.__"Js.-:~j)_~-_f!o~!j~~-.l!_n~k!f~~-~~- a~-~~~<:>_ughj_sa.fify-~ls_e_\\!~~-~~~~--:-·.· -·
hrcat hi n~ , •f the mer1. '.,. a, nash as a vine pulled stm\e(,,1(. (10\vn ~- .- ------- · '- --I laving· at last spotted the enemy, the Rough Riders· began to
thnc w;"; nt>t ;r 'il!.n l>f a humai1 he in~ ;mn,·hc.r,c. ··
·
move· forward. The advances were made in quick desperate~
Hnt>sevclt later rcrallcd that he had no time to feel fca:-. hut
rushes-half a troo.p would rise and race. forward and then burrow
cxpnicnred a· tn·mor of .;clf-douht. ·Wt1od ordered him to tnke
deep in the hiJt grass and fire. The heat was intense, and the inen
thrcc·lronp.; to the ri~ht and. ifpossihlc.link up.with theRcgul;irs
(liscarded all their equip!llent except for their carbines, canteens,
11n the i11ain road. "In theory tl1is was excellent.~· h.e recalled:
and cartridge. he Its. They caught only fleeting glfmpses of the
"but a-; the jun~k was very dense the first troop tllill deployed to
Spani;irds and men were killed and wounded by an all--but-invis_the rillhl vanished· forthwith. and I never sa\v it again until the
ihle enemy. ·Roosevelt took cover behind a palm. Just as he stuck
fight wac; 11\'l'r- · havin~ n frightful feeling mean:whilc thnt I might
his head out~"vcry fortunately," he hiter observed-to look
be nlurlmartialed for loo;ing ir.··
around it. a hullct passed through the tree, ~lling his eyes and
The rcnwinin~ men ,\·ere deployed in column to keep them.
cars with tiny splinters.
·
fwm lnsin~ tnuch with each other. "I had an awful time trying
. By th_is time, the line of skir~ishers had reached .the place
_It\ get intll the fight and .trying to do what was,right v.:hen in it:'"
where the regiment's point had been ambushed. The grass and
Roosev~lt rememl>t~red. "All the while I was thinking that I was
·rocks on either side of the trail were spattered with blood, and
tht• only man whn did rwl know what I wns ahout. ... ··
discarded blanket rolls. haversacks, and carbines were strewn all
In a few inim~tl.'". the soldiers hwkr tllll into a small patch of
around. Fifty feet away lay· the body of Captain Capron. Beyond
high grao;s in the 1inderl>rush. Some threw themsel've.s onto the
a turn in the trail; at the farthest point of advance, Roosevelt
ground. while Plht'~" rrn11rhed in the grass desperately lo<1king
found Sergeant Fish, the first man to ·be killed ..
fnr snme "if!ll 11f the enernv. 'i'he Spailish were ':!sing smokeless
The fight had now lasted ahout an hour, and the Rough Riders
powder and ''"C'H' in\·isihle. Ailll they had sighted in the irail~ over
had fought their way into more. ()pen. country, where t~e land ·
whirh the 1\ mnir:m.; wrrr advanring. The only sounds were the
·sloped up toward a ruined farmhouse that was being used as a
deadl\' "·lrit-11·hit ;md slnill ::t'·r-11·11 of 1\·tauser bullets followed
hl<)ckhousc hy the Spaniards. Both Wood and Roosevelt, out of
(1,· :1 j·/111l' if :1 '1111: ·1111 .ht~mr. The rllemv\ fire was heavy. and
c;i~ht of each otherand at opposite ends of the line, decided to
... their :1i111 \\:1'; J,,,, I he tknq· lllltkrl>tmh 11p ahead seemed to
drive the enemy from the building. Roosevelt picked tlp a carbine
:!)"
r
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l"lll"fliHIIU' Hnn<;I'\TI 1
"Mv
CROWDED
HouR"
e
297
from a wou1Hkd man. :a•Jd joined in. the char~e. The advrince
upon the n_1innl buildirl,e was made in <,~ubhorn. short rushes.
-;nin(·tillll'' 111 .;iknn·. <llld_sPrnelimcs with the troopers firin~ as
thcv ran. Yelling at the tnp of their lrlllJ!S. thev swept up the hill.
1\t alnH"I the ";unc lllllflle.qt. the hrst and !i.-nth re~iments. which
h;rd ahn bc~·n hc;l\ II\· CIH!agcd. inadc l'tllltact with them a11d
joined in the ;ro.,.;a(dt ·:< '(1111e n11 1"' c;houtcd hghtin~ .Inc Whel'lt.·r.
:.\Vc·n· !.!Pl. rhc da11111 '\·;,flkcc\ 11;1 the run•·_:
. 'plucked out the eyes and tore .the faces and the wounds of the
dead Spani;m.ls before we got to them. and even one of our own
men whn lay iri the open."
The Fifth Corps was now tanializingly close to Santiago, only
ahout seven or eight miles away, and from the corps' forward
position on El Pozo. a conical hill nanking the Camino Real, the
red an~l hlue rooftops of the city could be seen .. The troops could ·
also sec men stringing barbed wire and making yellow slashes in
the·ground as ihey dug trenches along· a series of hills known as
Follnwing thi-. -.1..111111'-h. the Hnu~h Riders camped for the next·
the San Juan.lleights. One. San Juan Hill, was topped by a block.,jx d;l\·-, in ;1 pk;~<.;llll ~l;ulc 1111 the l;u side of the ridge thcv had
lu~use with an arrlling roof that looked like a Chinese pagoda,
l·apturcd. l·Jpq· to a dear. c11nl <;frcarn. The rcgirn~nt"s spirits were
more quaint than threatening. There were other blockhouses_
high and mPq IH''''flapno; had )!i\'l'n them rredrt for drrvmg _off
aliuig the Spanish lines and a stone fort at the village of El Caney
1
11
.I
Sp;lllia J,. ;Ill ~ 1111 i~nori ng !he Regulars. Ht)osevclt ' n:uprc.d
____ . ______ --~~lll t}lG_JighL oLthe heights. From -these positions,. the -Spaniards: ·
--a prc1nii "''" t plan·. in~tl.1csc arrountc; .- and he~was·pleased '~rth h_1_"_~-~- __________ .. __ _ __duminatcd the CaminoHcal and the trails leading-out of-the jurigJc--,ierfnrn1:11ul·~·-:-l·k lud ..,JHIWfrrc,olnt·ss·:ufd hr:f\·e--rYiTrfdeThr't' and
into the open ground over which the Americans would have to
h:HI e.-.~ncd th~· rcspcct.of his men. Snme of the newspapers were
advance.
he
mentinninJ! him f11r c ·,~n~rrss nr the govcrnnrship of New .York·
· "\Veil. wiJ:.rll'n;r ninic" I shall f<.~clcnntcnted with havin,l! left the.
Na\'\' lkp:11tmcni ,,; ~tl intnthe armv, .. he wrote l.ndge. 'Tor
c1ur ·re!!irirl·nt Ji:r, 1>\~crl in the first fight on land. :!tHI has done
·
well...
Casualtie" were hcavv for a hrid skirrilish.·howcvcr .. In all. the·.
attack in~ fnrre lost o;i:xt~en killed and fifteen wiltmded: ,,f th-ese. ·
ei,l!ht Rou~h Ridns "were killed and thirty-four were .wounded. _
Regular offirers rhar,ecd that th~ fight had hc~n unncc~~s:uy hec:1usc tlw sp'ani:r.rdc; had already decided It) wrthdrnw. I hey sard.
that the ;unateur soldiers. in their eagerness to press on. hlld hcen ·
flmhushed. Wood ;lnd Ho(,sevelt were irate at this sug,l!estinn a_nd
1
; qwed that it wa.; quite different to he attacked hy an enemy .
knowr~ ti• t"~c 1\·in,e iri wait" and blundering into nn ambush. • · ·
. FoiiPwin,e o;imj'Je rrrenlllniec;, the dead were buried in a trench
beside thr tr;•il \\hnc tht·,· had fallen. Thcrr w11s nothing r<llllflntic.
:rht~ul the aftcrm;rtl!' of the fi~ht. "The \'lllturcs were :vhcelinl!
o\:erhcad "' the hii.IHirl'd" ... Hnosen;lt wimlv reptlrted. "They
.
"In ho< ,;"~"'"' ""'"'" h '" lhr .\'ru· h•ri /l;·,.old. llido~rtl llartlinJ! llavi< Wlf•lc lh~l
rhror h>d l•rrn :on :onol>oo<h ""'·· oOJHinuhlrdh· inllooo·rHTol hv hi< lrirntl< Wood ant! I~PCl<cvdl.
hr :1hrrrtl h•' \lt'-1 \~t'tn l,,t,:r :'rn•unh I•' n't~h"h lh<'ll"' S('(.' fl:-wic;, flu ('ul•an ''''" ,.,,,,,,_
J?,t'n'l ( n"ll''llf''' 1'1'. ll l I l I
3
Through_~HJt thispcriml, -General Shafter remained on theSe~
'-'
~tmmm,
nnd the nriny made no attempt to advance. Despite the
urgii1g or- his commnnders and the open criticism of the corre~
sponden~s. he failed to issue orders to reconnoiter the ground
ahead. to cut additional trails through the brush. in preparation
an attack. or to shell the· trench diggers and wire-stringing
. _ details. Without interference from American artillery, the yellow
sl11shes grew longer and dcepcr.and the wire entanglements more·
complex.
_
.
The miny season began. Every afternoon the skies opened and
rain poured down in torrents for an hour., Some of the men went
ahout nak_ed in an effort to keep their uniforms dry because they
·_had .received no fresh clothing since the landing. The trail back
. to the beachhead at· Siboney was a slippery gutter of mud ori
which· even the pa~k mules had trouble keeping their footing.
Only a trickle of supplies reached the forward positions, and the
men foraged for provisions in the pouches ofdead Spanish mules.
Rumors nf a· stockpile of,supplies on the beach reached Roofilf
·seve It, who took a detnil of thirty or forty men with pack mules
to sec if they could obtain somcJor the regiment. They scrounged
around and found some sacks containing about eleven hun~red
. pounds of beans. htit <l commissary officer refused to ler them
I
.--1
�e
29R
TIIHII)()RI' R;lhSI'VFI I
"Mv CRmvoEo HouR"
haw them. PrPducitlJ.! a wdl-thurnlted hoi1k of rq.!ulntio11s. he
pointed to a ·.,uhsertiorf staiinl! th011 heans·wcre to he issued only
to an offkero: meo;o;_ Hoosevdt went '!"''"'and as he later related·.
" 'o;tudicd 1111 ir' ao; .llr'n Hahhit would o;av and l'ollllC hal·k with
. a reque..r for eleven hundred pomulo; of heans .fnr the offkcrs'
mess. ..
. ....
.,
"Wil\'. ( 'nlt~rH'I. \'llllr offin•ro; t·an't l'at l'lt•\·l·n huruhed pounds
of ht•nn"." th1· lll!in·r.prof!•o;l!•d.
"You d11rd ~n11w what appt•lrtt·s Ill\' ollil't•rs haw ... replied
.J{cioq'wlr a<. he· nrdC'I·t.·d tl~· <.ark<. to hi' l11aded IIJ'IIII the lltllll'S.
The militar v hureaunat insisted that a re-quisition would have
ti1 hl· sent i•ff ,,., Wa,JlinJ!tllll.'l{ntl'\t'n•lt·rl'"Jl;'lltkd ilint hl' didlr'f
rare ao; Inn~ "' lw rnuld takl' the heans hark to his reJ.!iment :•·1\s
ht· si~·tll'd the requio;itrnn amilh\·arni"~" that the cost would prohahlv he dedul·:tcd frnm hi" pav. th~' s;t~k~-~\'l'rt'Jo;ukd on.tlw mules,- -~-
- ··oi1'"\vft;ii ~~-~l~~~~~--~~r l~;~d~ji;!~tlu'~'-'·--"'l' __ elljc,ve(Lit/:. RcHlsevclt-- ~.~-tPlllTti~-fanlil\:·~·~·---:---~
· . ·
·.·
.
/
On the mcirnin~ of· June Jll. (!eneral Shafter, having finally
, come_ ash11rc and hrieflv examined the enemy's positions. summoned his "cnior commanders to lay out his plans .for an attack
Hte next day. :_'There \\·as no strate~y at ·all ... Shafter later rcla_ted,
"<~nd no altempt at ttrrning their flank. It was.simply goin~ straight
at them.". Reports had re,adted him that the Spanish garrison at
Santi<~gn. numherin~ scHlle thirtecn·thousand men~ \vas ;\hout to
he r.einf11n:ed h,· ani'' her eiE!hl I houo;<~nd I roops-actually ahout
. half thr~t nurhbcr- from Manzanillo_. approximately forty-five
miles awav. ;ind he wa" :111xious to strike the enemy hcfore they
:nrivcd.
T~e allarkw;'" tn hc~in at daybreak with·ar1 assault on EJ Caney
·and its st11m' hlnrklllluse by a Regular infantry division under .
Brij!adicr ( iencraJ II. W. Lawton.- supported hy artillery corn-.
manded hv Cartain t\llvn K. C<~pron. Sr .. f;\.ther· of the R1iugh ..
Rider killed ;it l.as <iuasirnas.- In the meantime, a hatterv ·under
the rommanthif ( ·aptain ( leorge ( lr.irncs would shdf en~ my pn·
sit ions llll the San .Juan llci!!hls from 1-:1 l'ow. while the rest of
the inf:mtrv and th"mllunted cavalry tPok up positions in the'
jun!!lc in frllnl ,-,f the San .Juan llcights As <;oon as Lawton's men
had taken Fl Cmn. thrv,,·nul\1 join in ·thr·m;tir.i'fr(,ht;tl attal.'k'i
0
0<)
--
299
on the .ridge. Shafter intended to storm. the San Juan Heights,
r.out the enemy, and capture Santiago all in one fell swoop.
This plan was faulty in several respects. The iidges and hills,
augmented hy the Spanish trenches and· blockhouses that anchored them. were naturally suited for defense. Once past the
liiic·M depnrture, the nttncking troop!i·wnuld be on open ground,
without cover nnd exposed to 11 withering tlrc from modern wenpIIIIN. Admlrnl SumpNon, for.onc, wnN NurpriNcd wlicn Informed ofShafter's irllcntions. BclievinR th;it the hrirhor forts, rnthcr than'
Sariiiago itself, were the principal tlhjectives, he had expe<;tcd
sfli·t;fir:h,·, advance along " rnilnind line thnt rnn ·up the coo~t to
witJ\'in:'fSiir n1ilcs of Morro Castle and then turn inlaml tp litorm
· the.f<Htifications fro'rn the rear.
··
·
.Before the conferen<.·c hroke u~. t~e_r~._\Y_as_pncJurther__bit of
-· "-~·:- - - --litlsir1c-ss.' Scveral-s-cnior:- ofiicers·.~_i[l!;l_u_ding .. Brigadic·r General--::",--~--- ~-:---s:tCY61ing:-t-iad comc--d()wn~ithJever, and Wood was promoted
to brigadier' general and given command of Young's brigade.
Comma~ld of the ·Rough Riders passed to_ Theodore Roosevelt,
and _the regime.nt was Roosevelt's Rough Riders in fact as well as
in the popular imagination. "I was very glad, for such experience
as we had had is a quick ·reacher," he later. noted. "By this- time.
the men and I knew one another; and I felt able _to make them
do themselves justice in march or battle."
By late a(ternoon; the army was on the move. The confusion
that ensued while some twelve thousand men jostled for position
on the narrow, muddy toad leading up to their jumping"off points
. was indescrihable. It took· the Rough Riders nearly eight hoursto cover the three miles to their position near El Pozo. There was
not much talk that night as they bedded down on the muddy
ground on their -ponchos. Like Shakespeare's Hen~y V before
Agincourt, Roosevelt moved among his men, lending encourage~··
men! and checking 'on the sentries. "Above us," reported Dick
Dh'vis'."''thc trilpical moon hung white and clear in the dark purple
sky, pierced with millions of white stars .... ·Before the moon
.
.
rose agai_n. every sixth man who had slept in the mist that night
was either killed or wounded."
.-.···i::::·
i
·;i1i["~t{ l1_mg. as he lived, Theodore Roos·e~elt regarded July I,
IHIJ1("a~('''•th'c gn·nt dny of my life." He was up heforc dayhreak.
�e
TIIHliHlRF
JOO
.
calmly
~h:n-ed.
Roosrvn.t
e
and after h:tving·hre:tkfast-the usual fat h:tcon
hl watdt the l•r i).:adc Ltl..c it" po.,itiniL "II was a very.lnvdy nu'irn·
in~:· he.latcr recalled. ''the sky of cloudless hlue. \vhilc the level
simrnerin~.r:tV<; frpnl.fhe jlf<;f-ti~e.n ~1111 hr011~ht i~to.fine relief the
paltn" which here and there towered over the lmvcr
.
,
.
.
·1!rowth. .. . .
Thic; tevci II' w:tc, brnk.l'lt hy the dull hoom of ('apron\ )!\IllS as.·
tht;v· opetH'tl lire o11 Fl CatH'V. The 11oise sent douds of hirds
c;nt'erhill~ mti• 1he :ur. a11d their nit'" re-.n~tnded anoss fom m-ilt·s
pf. jungle tn t'J J',),;, Captain ( irimcs"s hatlcry was. dircrted to·
rre:tle a divcro;ion hv c,hellin•! the pagndalike hlorkhouc;c on San
.luanlllll I :itrk ~lalll:t~~~· w:l'• dPill' bv tlw Phsolt•sn·nt. Allll'r iran
1111 I llt'l-\'. -IIIII I. I lw hllll'l.. ·I" t\\:c k I. s I i Pl!lit~dJ lw Jlll lllli'JP! \'IT.Ill nl ll!irL:
. ____ .,. ·dt~ll i Ic,-nl- 'ti '' •kl'- I h a 1·-1' 'p••wd- tlw i1- poo;i t.io11o; ·. 1tL rot 111 terhatJt• r v. _--c-: _ -··-·--. __
li~•·. ow·,, .. d '''111111~..-ol 1!.111 lw "''lll'il thnl lot \llft:l\'." 'lll..t··lll'l'flllld
mnw '"' ltet"l" I·t . . nyiH'tt·
Nn '""'"'' ",.,,. tlw'l.' ''"'"' ""' nl h1" 11111111h than "!her,· wa'
a peruhar wht,llitig . .,,j,)!in~ sound in the air. and imnH·dintl'lv
afterward" tlw nniq· of "nmething explodinJ.! owr our. ht•ntlo;,"
Hnnst'\'l'll ne~lt;d. It wao; Spanio;h o;hrapnd. The two officers le-aped·
In tlwir h11r"c" . bul a pil'rl' of me.tal strurk Roosevelt on the wrist.
hardly l;~cakin~ the o;kin vet raio;ing a hump ns hifl, as a hickory
nut. Scwral men wnc killed nr wounded hefnrc he got his regiment under thl'. rPwr nf the thick 11nderbrush.
l.awtnr!'s at_tark nn Fl Caney. which began a·t -7:00 A.M. and
\Vntlld he m·er·within two IHlurs. quicklv hog~ed down in the face
nf a ~tul,born ddt~ll"e hv <;nnll' five hundred Spnnish troops. lhey
rnmcd fusillado pf·M~HIS('r lire into the ranks of the attackin~
1\mniram and held 11ff a fnrce tcr1 timl'~ their .number for eight
hnms without :u tillcrv suppnrt. lnste:td nf hre:tkin1! nff· the en,l!~gr.rncnt ~'r rnntinuin~ with :t sinall fi,r'lT. whill' nwvin,l! the hulk "
nf his di"i'-iPn t1.1 all ad the San .Juan !Ieight~. the main ohjt'ctivc
nf the b;1tllc. I awt11n prr~i<;,ted in :t filii-scale ass:tult o_n (:';u1ey.
and the fnrt w:J<; not taken untiiA:OO r.M.
Shafter. <•,Trrnmc dmin,l! the ni,l!hl hv his physicnl exertions
ilnd go111. dirertrd ··•prriltion-. from his cot three miles in the-rear.
..;... and i'""rd nrdcr-. rhrnuch h1" adjutant. Colonel hlward .1.
~h'( "krn:md Ht·ali1inr. tl.tat I :m·rnn. wa-. nnt goin,l! In take lJ
S,)
e
CROWDED HouR''
)01
.
wa~hetl dnwn :with hi:"H:k l'Pffcc ·-·-joined \Vood on top of Fl l'nzo·
~rlcndid
''Mv
Caney on schedule or withdraw, McCiernand ordered the rest of
the nrmy to get into .position to attack the San Juan Heights' as
·planned. The actual assault awaited direct orders from Shafter.·
McCt'ern.and later recalled giving the order to· prepare for attack
directly to Roosevelt, "which seemed- to please him.".
·
· Infantry and dismounted cavalry plunged into a maze of underhrush and trees with only the Camino Real and a few trails
running through. The Spaniards, entrenched a half mile away on
the slopiri~Z hillS: hnd previoi1sly 'sighted their:gu.ns along the trails
and the border rif the woods. Under merciless artillery and rifle,
fire. the Americans bunched up and the area was soon filled with ·
dcnd and wounded nnd the torn carcasses of horsc!li and mules .
Snipers also took a heavy ·toll of medical corpsmen and surgeons.
____ ·'-'" J!l.~·y _\Ycir_~~_t!_ ,_,vcr Dt~· wounded In nwkc.u~hlft uroNNing NUttlonN. _
--~ .1\Ube ~!!il !lf_nhout n n1rtc ~ t11c-ct'lii-rltry()pcnecfi•r al'ihe--poi'rir --wht·rt: tlw <'mi•ln~t, l{~·~·t" ~~t~(,ij~(.(f il Nlrcl,-rll ~.-riHciltl~o- Slirl-Ji•ilti - Rivrr. I lnvln~ mrulc thrir wny thrmrJth the imdcrhru11h, the Rough
Hidl·ts hnltl·d at the strrnm lo kni.l support to.thc l_kgulnr cnvnlry
reiZim.cnts. They h~ok whatever cover they could flnd and awaited
further ohlers. Directly nhove them wn!l a knoh that became
known ns Kettle Ifill hecause ·of a huge iron kettle found there- ·
thnt was used in refining sugnr._Behind it and to the. left rose San
.Juan Ifill nnd its hlockhouse. Some of the men were deployed ·
along the right side ()f the stream in the tall grass while others
crouched t1nder the bank of the far side.
·A Signal Corps observation balloon was sent aloft to search
·out the·enemy positions and was, in' Dick Davis's angry words,
"an. invitation to kill everything beneath it. And the enemy responded to the invitation." For a long hour and half the troops
endured a trial by fire and intense heat. A battalion of the Seventyfirst New York was caught in an iron hail of shrapnel and, in
actirin for the first time. panicked. The men either ran away or
- ·threw themselves on the ground in terror. Their officers managed
. to prevent the panic from spreading, and other units cursed and
hc<lped ·ridicule .on the New Yorkers as they moved up to the
front.
·
·
a
Roo~evelt moved up and down the line of his regiment making ·
certain the men had as much cover as possible. The heat was
intense ilnd !ll:llly of them were alreildy showing signs of exhaus-
�e
_102
TuuitHlRI' Ronsr:vr:r. r
linn. Ynlkvs from the Spanish trenches "sputtered <md rattled.
<mu the hullers <.an)! nlflr"inlllluslv like tlie wind through the rigging
in a !!ale. shrapnel whined and hwke. and still no order t:amc
·from Shafter.·· na\'is related. "The situation· was desperate. Our
troops co\tld not retreat as the !tail for two miles behind them
was wedJ!ed with men. Thev could not remain where they were
for they were bcin).! o;h,,·t to piet:es .... ··
Casualtico; amPn~ the l{ou!!h l{idns wnc heavy-'- as hcitvy as
if the reJ!iment h:td been on.thc· allack. l{,)oscvelt observed. And
thev could not tctmnthe lire. A West Point cadet named 1-:rnest
llaskell. inC ·11ba to tll>tain combai t•xperiencc during his Sllllllllt'r
vacation. was hit in the stomach '':hile talking with Roosevelt ..
Williah1 Saunders. the n'lonel"s.mdnly. Cllllapsed from the heat.
and Ronsc:wlt tkr"ailcd anPthn trooper to take his pl;lrt•. Sho~tl_y.
after: as 1{,,,1o;cvclt ·dircrtt"ll hihl.lli"j!"(,·hal.:k ;iiHrtin{i!:~c_n_~~;!t~-.:.-_
an~· general-::-:-,,-,-~rt jli:·rniis"Si,-,j,'ti,·att~-rk.tllc rtli;·;, was hit in the
head and kll.d\"111~! :tnt1"" Rnt,~n·elt"' knees. Farthci· down th1·
line. llud;y (!'Neill '-I tolled up and dnwn in front of his trt11•1Wrs
r"almt\· 'n111ktll,1! a u_l!arcttc. lie thott).!ht nflirers should tH'Vl'r take
U1\"t'l· bt;rall'l' 11 't'l a had t'Xamplt• for tht• men ..
"( 'apta111. a h11llcr ·is o;ure to hit vntt 1" one of his St'l").!t'illlts
W;llllnl t1\.t:t tlw d111 ;11 ktllil'.
"Serj.!l':tlll. thl' \l'ant'h bullet j,n·r .mad!' that \\'ill kill IIH' ...
O'Neill tilt ned and '"''"led hack.
.lustao, he ltllllcd Inward lhc rid~t· a~ain. a MmtSl'r h11lkt slrurk
him in ihc mouth and !nrc through the har.k of his hea1i. lk was
dead hcfnrc he hit the _f!round.
By now it was I :IKI I'.M. and Roosevelt was anxious to get his
men in a pno;ition In rctmn the enemy lire. I k was ahout to lake
matters into hi' n\vn hands and ad\'anrc wiihout orders when the
Rou!,'.h Riders were ditTrtcd to support the Regular c.avalry in an
i_tssaullon Kcrrk Ifill. :'The instant I received my orders I sprari~
on Ill\' horo;e itnd then mv 'nowdcd hom' hegan." he recalled.
Back and forth. he galloped down the line. shouting orders to
advance. Secrii1n bv o;cction. the lrllopers rose. rnovcll"forward in
npcn c;,kirlllic;,hingnt~kr. and dropped dtm·n· to fire. Instantly they
were fpiJowed h\' annlltl.•r section.
· Ronc;.n·clr ~pnttrd it trooper lvin,l! on lhe !!round who rdt.tsed
to ad\'anre "1\ rc \·nu afraid til "1:111d IIJ; when I am nn horse-
0
e
· "Mv CROWDED HouR"
e
303
hack?" he shouted. Before the man could move, he fell flat on
his fnce. He had been hit in the head by a bullet that went through
his entire hotly lengthwise.
Soon. Roosevelt had ridden through his line of skirmishers and
·was closing in on the Ninth Cavalry. Finding its senior officers
hesitant to advance without orders. he shouted: "If you don't
want tp go forward. let my men pass!" The regiment's junior
officers and black troopers sprang into line with the Rough Riders.
"I waved my hat and we went up the hill with a rush." Dick Davis
described the assault in graphic terms:
They hall no glitlcring bayonets, they wert; not massed in regular
array. There were a few _l!l_~n.. in _advance bunched together-,and
-" ·----·--- ·-·-ch·e-pirigtip asleep: suimyhi_ll. t_h_e topofwhich roared and Hashed
· ~- --·-wit If tl;'fnfe.-Tnc-nlen lield their guns pressed against their breasts
and stepped heavily as they climbed. Behind these first few, spreadin~ out like a fnn were single lines of men, slipping and scrambling
in .the !illlOOih griiS!i, lllOVinfl forward With difficulty, a~ though·they
were wading waist high through water, moving sl,owly. carefully,
with ~lrenllnll~ effort. It wn~ m11ch more wonderful than any swing- .
inllchnr~e could have ~ccn. They walked to greet death at eyery
~lcp, mnny of them. n~ they ndvftnced, !linking 8Uddenly or pitching
hir wnrd nnd· dl!'lnpprndn~t In the high gru!l!l, hut the others waded
on. !iluhhomly, formin~tn thin blue line lhnt kepi creeping higher
nnd hi!lhcr up the hill. It wns.inevitable as the rising tide. ,It was
a mirnclc of self-sncrifkc, a triumph of bulldog courage, which
.one· watched with hreathlcs~ wonder. ... ·
.Roosevelt was at the forefront of the charge, and the blue polkadot handkerchief _he wore on the back of his hat to keep off the
s~n streamed straight out behind him like a guidon. "By this
time," he said, "we were all in the spirit of the thing and greatly
excited hy the cha~ge, 'the men cheering and running forward
. het ween shots" as Mauser bullets zipped through the air. ·Partway
tip the hill, they encountered a barbed-wire fence, and men frantically raced at it with knives and bayonets. Jumping off his horse,
Roosevelt turned the animal loose and continued to advance on
·root. The Spaniards fired a few last shots at the fast-moving wave
that was sweeping over them and retreated across a wide valley
to the next line of hills. Soon: the crest of Kettle Hill was swarming
�1-
e
· Tlll'OilllRI' H.oost=.vt=t
_W4
with
1
Rou~h
Riders and h.lark troopers. Years later. they were still
there first.
~l(1 the ldt. l{ntl'cwlt saw a line of infantry slowly advancin~
up San Juan II ill in the face of heavy fire from the Spanish treni:hcs
and hlockhou,e. I k directed his men to open rire on the enemy
to help _out the ;,ltat·king force. Suddenlv. he heard .. ;, partkular
drummin~ s11und'' ;1bnn- the ~·ral'king of the Kra~ carbines. "The
Spanish niarhitH' g'"'"t .. nne llf the men cried with a touch of
panic. I istenitl~ .. Rnn-.c\'l'lt dctermiiwd that the firing was rom in~
from the flat grn11ild 111 the left and jumped to his feet. "ft's the
(iatlin~"· mi.:·n. nm tiatling"' .. Cheering spread all alnn!! the line
and with the ~11ppntt of th~ ·marhitie !!lllls. the infantry s\\:ept
f11rward and drnvc the em'm~· from their positions.
. <>'nrc his ·inrn had L'<lll!!ht their wind. Roosevelt dcril!cl!- to_
_ __ --~- _
char!!~' the nn:r li_ne. tif Sri:lt~isl~}r~rr1r.l\~~~~ll_l ;!·_srii_i_i;·r_~;mJuan ______ --- --.-Hill ti1 t he-ffllt11 Mflil;- J((J\i~li-Riders from which steady fire was
c11min!! lklin·111g that the regiment was follllwing him·. he leaped
on'r a h;ubed-wirc frnrc· and ran fllrward into a little valley hdort' ·
the Spani'h 1111"''i"n 1\111 the men either did-not hear or sec him.
Rnn,ewlt had ;Hh'anred ahPut ;, hut\dred vards when he turned
around tn di,rcn·er ,:hat . he ha1i llnlv lin' n;cn with him and that
.
.
.
· huller.; were rippitig thro,·•gh the air: all around them. Ti..'lling the
men 111 take en, cr. lw ran hark and an~rilv shouted and si!!IWI_cd
fllr the re.gimcnt 111 f,lu,n\·. The lrllopns nearest himumkrstood.
"We ilidn"t hear \1111. ( ·tllonel'" thn. shliutcd. "We didn't sec
\'tlll ~~~' lead ""·and "·.l'.ll lt;llnw!"
Tlwv rami' "" \\'ith a ru,h. whih· a11d hlark lflliiJll'ro;, I{IIIIJ.!h
Riders and Ri:gul;"' all mixed 1\Jgctlwt. S\Vl':tl Iiiii down_ their
fal'l'" i'ntP tiH·ir n,., and· the\' l'nllld.nnt <;l't; thl· si~hts of thcit'
.
.
\\l':tl'""'· l>ut thn tr•w ami dttH'l' :thl'ad . .lus't as th.l' Amnirans
kap~·d "''" tl11· l'tH·rm· IH"nt·IH·< '"'"'' nf thl' Spaniard" lkd. hut
two ·men h1111tHkd "I' and-fired at RtHI"l'WII. As they turned til
run. he l'llll'ltnl lu' tc\'lllwr at them. mi,sinJ.! the first mall hut
killinJ.! ihl' "l'llllld. lk "dnubled up .... like a jackrahhir:: the
Colonel tnld a friend.· t lpnn H'aching the crest of the hill. the.
dchatin~- wh11 ~nt
'
---------
--------.- ------
• Rrw><r,TII <;nol thr rn.·nn· trrru he< "rrr frllrtl "with tlr~tl hodir< in lhr li11h1 hhrc ~nol
"hitr ""'''''"' "' lhr 't"'""" trenbr ~rrm
I\ I•"' "' lhr r~llrn h~rl lillie hole< in thrir
hr:uh f••'"' "htt h thru l•r:urn "rrc· ""'inc ·· I hc·rr·tt '-'11H' qur"liun :lbPul th(~ :u:nuarv
-
nf hit Phtrr\·:•1"'"' """··n·r -\nllthr~ \\ilnf'-',
l:-tnnrti11H'JI'
wrrr "" trrnrhr' in lhi~
:lffll
e
"Mv· CRownED HouR''
305
victors drove the yellow silk nags· of the cavalry into the softearth-and unfurled them within sight of Santiago.
The Fifth Corps had the Spaniards backed up against their last
line of fortifications. only seven hundred yards away, but the
American hold on the captured ridges was tenuous. Casualties
had been heavy-205 killed and I,IRO wounded. or about 10
percent of those engaged-and the remainder were disorganized,
hungry. and exhausted. Santiago had also been reinforced by
a hour .l ..'WO men from Manzanillo. ·"We arc within measurable
distance of a terrible military disaster," Roosevelt scribbled to
Lodge two days after the hattie. "Tell President McKinley for
I leavens' sake to send liS every regimcni_Jlnd_ above . all-every,.~
battery possible:"-:--· ··--- ~--~--'--- _____ ·,. ....... --- --- --------A-s-the·'Rc1TI'glf Riacr.~-iillg
he made quick tally. of the regjmenr·s strength. lt'had gone into action with about fourhundred
men: t=ighty-six had hccn killed or wounded, six were missing',
and nearly forty were down with heat prostration. Some troops
. were now commanded hy second lieutenants and sergeants. There
. was no food except for what they found in the blockhouses, the
water was had. and they slept in the rain-soaked, muddy trenches
withoul cover. .
·
·
.
m.
Pers(l;lally. Roosevelt was'jlroud of his own performance under
lire. "I·<H three days I have been at the extreme front of the firing
line.·· he wrole home. "Jfow I escaped I know .not." He was
jtkascd when General \\'heeler rccornl'!'lended him for the Medal
of I fonor. While he very much wnntcd the dccorntinn, ICit lluc!m't
r11akc. much difference," he said. "for nothing can take away the.
fart that f<lr ten great days of its life I commanded the regiment,
and kd if victoriously in n hard foughl huttle. I never expected
to rome throu~h! I ar,n as strong as a hull moose ..... "
In the rneantime. Shafter. shaken by the army's casualties, had
sent ;m urgent message to Admiral Sampson: "Terrible fightyesterday .. : . I urge you lo. make _every effort immediately_ to force
the lharhorJ·entrance to avoid future losses among my men, which .
arc already very heavy. You can operate with Jess Joss of life than
anti
1\'l'tr•
tartlv nb<rn·rrf: "Thr~r lrrnrhr• b~inJl rhrn. imn~tinary. il i~ (air to Hrjlur that they·
lillrrl with irn;iJZin~rv. rlrnd Spnniwl<." Tra<k. Thr War ll'itlr Spain in IH9R, p. 24.l.
�e
_lO(l
Trii'OIHlRI' Roosrvn r
I C<ln."' 'Ii1 Sampson's surprise. the navy W<ls now hcing <1skcd to
come In the rescue of ·the 11rmy. which had nrigin<~lly heen sent
In Cirha In assist the navy .. Farly nn the morning of July J, he
s<1ilcd eastward along the roast of Cuha in his n11gship. the Nr11·
York. to confer with Shafter ahoul the grim realities· of sweeping
mint'S undc~ clu·rm• lire.
·
II wac; a Sundav. o;o the routine of aru.,thcr~lay ;Hl the hlo~·kade
wa" hr11kcn h\· "hipbnard dwrdt <c:rvicco; and_ihc monthly rcadin~
n( the t\ rtirft··, nl. \Var Suddenlv. a guit hrHI!Jlcd out from the
'"".'' ;11ul St~nal.'-'>11 w;l'• hni<;ted: "J:.ncmv Ships ( 'pming ()ut 1"
Adm11 ;II l ,., \l'J a :h:HI been 11rdcrcd In break out of Santia~o hv
the authnrrliL'' in 1-Ll\·:rn:r. whi1 wen· l·nrn'inn:d the l'ity was ahout
In fall. :11111 ,;,ltl him In lr\· rr·,. escape to Cienfuegos or Havana.
The "Prlil' '""" the t\mnican squadron hv surprise; some of its
-;hips "'S rc_ r~~ fJrc.~l_l_l!g_j_tr_(_; !l;rrJtf!J!a n_H 1, a~l::tjliU red hase.a hr HIt. frnl y-~-)i~:<:". _";{ti}~·o;.! ,_, !.ht•, t'1l"L ..:.while nt he,rs. did not.::have -st~anHrp.--'11 ad ( ·cr"cra ni·:uk hi' .d;r.;h l11r freedom al niglit.·he inight have ~nuen
.
.
awav.
The Sj,anic;h (];,~,hip. the /n{mlla Maria frrr.w. smoke belching
from her funncl~and the rrimsi1nand ~~~td nag ·of Sp<~in snapp.ing
· al her ma<;~hcad. kd the w;-rv with three rllher rruisers and two
des! royerc; 'in her wake. Once .out nf 1he .pass<~ge. Cerver<1 's ships
dashed at fuiJ,peed alr'll!! the coast to the west with the. Arneric<~n
squadron in hnt pursuit. The Spanish vessels were in poor rep<~ir.
howe·,·er. and ''"l' hv 11ne. thev came wiihin range of the Americ<~n
guns. Withm .three hPurs. e,·er~· em·rnv·~hip h;-rll heen lkstroyed
or he<lched lw its crC.\V. Cervera <lnd his entire squ<~dron W<IS the
U.S. Na"~··., l~;,irrli· nf Jr;ly present to the nation.
The 'dcc;trurtinn ,,,f Cervera's squ<~drnn mcani th<1t for all practical purpnc;cc; the land ramp;-riJ!n ill Cuha was iwer. hut the siege
of Santia~n dra!!~ed nn for another two weeks. The Spaniards
refused In smrendcr. sa~·ing rnilitiny honor preve1itcd them from
doin!! Sll whil_c thn had the power to resisL Day hy d<1y, Sh11fter
ri~htenrd hi" ·~rip upon Santi<~go. rnipl<~cinjl artillery. making his
lrt·.ndwo; lllllll' frirmidabk. J.!amhlin~ rhut he could win tht.• city
hv o;iq!t' hdPrt' di~r·ao;t' rkrimatt·d his army. Typhoid. malaria.
dvo;entl'l v. and tht· firq r;l\t''i of n-ll11w fl-wr were alrea~fv cxartillJZ
11 ~lcatt·r tnll ;li1JPIII'·''"' bniq•.t'l" than ~lamer hullds. J;lil's nnd
mno;qurtr•r· . . ruadr tf11· nwn\ "''"" ""'t'labli·. tllt·il unifnllll\ werT
---'
9
"Mv CRownEo HouR"
e
. 307
in tatters, and the stench of rotting mule carcasses and half-buried
corpses uncovered hy the persistent rains was everywhere ..
Throughit <~II. Colonel Roosevelt-the rank was now officialhurled jercmi<~ds. at Shafter with his usual fury. "Not since the
campaign of Crassus against the Parthians has there been so criminally incompetent a gcncml as Sh<1ftcr ... , It is hitter to sec the
misery_and suffering. an(J think that nothing but incompetency
·in administering the ·nation's enormous resources caused it." At
the same time. Roos.cvclt worked tirelessly forhis troopers. "He
tried to feed them,_" Stephen Crane wrote later in the W~rld.
"lie helped. huild latrines. lie cursed the quariermasters and the
'dogs' on the tr<~nsports. to get quinine and gruh -for them. Let"
him he a politician if he likes. He was <1 gentleman down there ...
One day. a mud-st<~ined figure <~'ppeared at a Red Cross supply
~ --~---- · .... - · - depot in-_~_ii~<Hl~X~-~~I_I_la·ve ~s<~~Tr~-.s~c~ ~m"~n~\_\'i_~!fifr~gJ'n:i.e_!l~_~h~~ :·:_ .,.~-~-......,--- -----------··do -not ·wrsh to go to the hosp1tal hut arc unable to eat army • .. ·
ratio·ns ... he told a Dr. Gardner. who was in charge. "C~m you
-sl.·llme some:of-the things you <Ire issuing,herc?"
"Not for "(I million dollars.
ncl Roosevelt," Gardner rc-.
plied. recognizing the visitor:.
.
.. . .
·
. ·
·
"But. Doctor. you have the tl ings I need for my men. I think
a great de;tl of my hien. If you will not sell them, how can I get
them?"
' ·
"I suppose you might ask for them. ColoneL"
"Then I ask· for them."
·
"All right. Make out. _list o.f things you··. need and send for
them... ··
·
CZl'
a
"Give me some of. them now. I'll take them myself."
Gardner filled ·a sack with rolled oats, condensed milk; rice,
dried fruit. and (;!her items and Roosevelt tossed it over his shoulder. "Fm proud of !TIY men," he said as he walked back into the
·jungle.
,,....
llonor satisfied, the Spaniards finally gave up on July i7. Shafter formally accepted the surrender in the milin·plaza of Santiago,
and thl' troops on the six.'rnilc ring of entrenchments nhout the
rit y rhecred 11s the ili1Jt of Spain. which hnd non ted over the
( lowrnor's l'nlnre for nearly four ·rt·nrurics, was rqllllred hy
tht· St;"rrs and Stripes. A hurrcry lin·d 11 twenty·onl'-).!1111 salute, 11
/1
�e
:wH
·e
e
TIIHHHlRr:' Roosrvu.r
"Mv
"-
CROWDED
HouR"
309.
hand rrashetl intn ~··j-JI(' ~tar-Span~lcd Banner." .'m~r <m honor
1
accompanied hy an even stronger personal letter from Roosevelt
cuard .;lapped thei1 Kra~" and presented arms. W1thm days. anto Shafter. and hothwere leaked to the press. "To keep us here,"
1
;,tl;cr l'\J•ediri,•nar \· fnrn· was sent to Puerto Ril-o that· quickly
j
Roosevelt wrote. "ii1 the opinion of every officer commanding a
. mnpped uj• th;tt i"L111d\ dckndt·r.; __ · ·
_
divisi<_lll or a brigade will simply involve the dcstruction,of thousands."·
·
.In the m~·;11llimc. l{"""t'n·lt tTl tilit:d l>v the 11~\vspapers a:~
t•nc or tht· ~~ ;11·, her "t'". wao.; i t'l'l'ivin!! pit~ as from New )'ork
McKinley imd Alger were angered 6y the puhlicati<)n of the
Rcpuhlicall' that he ,_,·ttun immediate!~· and run for !t"_vcn_Hlr.
letters___:in fact, the _r~esident only learned·of·the round robin.
"'{ou ;nl' """'lind ... lie rcspnndl'd to one such rommumcatton.
when he read about rt m the newspapers-,-and the War Depart-··
ment emitted veiled threats of.n court-martial for Roosevelt: In
"hut ....1 """'d ""' he. willinJ.! to lcavl'- the reJ!imcnt. while the
011
1 ~rc;tt an office ao.; that of< ioverr)or of .New·
"war i"
''·'' cn-11 ' "
revenge'. Alger saw to it that he never got. the Medal of Honor
· York ... - · .
.
.
·
that he thought he deserved. It was, as Edith wrote later, "one Ne\i.·rtlll'k''· t'H'IIt" kt·pr _him on the frpnt pages. Ctiha had·
of the bitterest disappointments of his life." Undoubtedly one of
hl'en l''''liJlll'tcd. l•ut the hfrh <'mps remained iHl the·,island. its
the n1ntrihutin!! factors .to Alger's ire was that, unkno~n t~t.h~---- _
rank" r;" ;tet·d "' "~;,_li" 'i'c--~~~·rrJ l!:trl_ft!!IUiwusand ntciuvcre OIL.. ---- --- · ·- ---:--- .: -pu hli<.~;-lh<.'- War Department ll;i<:r:Hrcady pl~u1rie~ f(l hriJ!g Jhe __ .. ____ _
~-~';"'·~irk ,-~L-~1~{~~.;_1., 1· Li ..!~;tloJiatnl thatJn,T.Lth;in Jwlf.-' he- si.•c_..: ----- - ---------1 roops -home-and· Jla<.l-(lfilcrcil tl1i'•-til.camp 11e- set up_a_t M-~ntauk
t111111 1rcd H~>11eh i{tdl·,... wt'tn had Llflilcd rnur weeks hef<ire were
Point. <)n the tip of Long Island. to receive them. Thus, ·when
tit r"i ""''- \tl;tftcr implored the ·war Department 1<.1 hrin~ theAlger issued ordcrsthree days later for the Fifth Corps toret~rn
men IHlntc S,\.·,ll't;" \' nr War 1\IJ.!cr. whn liclievcd the troops were
to the United States.Theodore Roo~vclt got the credit for bringing the boys home. .
.
. "- .
·
. .
· ·
infected w1th \'l'IIP\\' kn'r and was afraid tlll'y would hring it home
.
.
.
. .
with them. replied :rh;tl the army must rt'lllctiwin Cuha until the·
~ickne""
h;id run it" c;·,urse.
.
.. stiaftcr called a meeting of his _rctnking officers on August J.
with Ri•n-:-cn·lr. 111;,\-;ttl a~·ring hr igade l·ommander. among them:·
The\· were nn;1nirn"".; i1i ur~ing the withdrawal of.troops from. .
· ( : 11 h.;i
1." ~~·cp tlic men 1111 the island nH1d1 IPnger would (ctuse
thl' death pf th•'"";i11ds Bur havin~ reached .this agreement. ·nn
Pill' \\:t'- rnL1in hn" the. American pcojllc rnuld he informed of
the hfrh < ·~''1''. '-llt1;1tio1i. Shitfter prnpo'>ed "some authoritative
puhlicatilln·wltith '"Pitld make the War Department take action
. hdPrc it w;". '"" tare tn a\'crl the ruin pf the arm~·."· Regular
.Prlkers \\ell' ·d1a1 ,._ '"'"·ever. nr rio;kin!! their careers hy openly
~>Ht·rulin~ I'H'""knr 1\kKinln and ·Scrrt~larv Alger.
·
· Ron<:t.',.clt. wl11• wnuld rcttt.rn tcq·i\'ilian.life and therehy cnuld
free!\' rritic11c the \\'ar lkp;1rtmcnt. was the nhvious dH•ice Ill.
· i<ot..m'. "llrh a "Lttt·nu·nr Ill' agreed to gi\'c an interview to the
prt~""· bur 1 cPnanl \\'npd tl)ouglit it hellcr to _send Shaf·t·~~ a
rn 111 uJ-rPI>"' kth'l ... i~.:nnl br alltho-.c pre<oenl. whrrh slated: I he
pcr~;nn.; ll''l'""'il•lr '"'I'; n··cnting surh a move will he re~;ponsihk
~ fnr I he I Jill It'• i'<..<..;IJ /.\ r. '" I ir. in:ltl\' I """'-and.; nr liveo; .. This wao.;
--
A)
~
The transport Miami, carrying the Rough Riders, cased against
a pier at Montauk on August 15. _1898. The scattered spectators,
many of them members of t~e regime'nt that had been left behind
at. ·nunpa. searched her sides and cheered when they spotted a
hurly. bronzed figure in the' well~worn uniform of a colonel of
cavalry on the bridge with the vessel's captain. The brim of his
campaign hilt was turned up on th~ side and the sun glinted off
his glasses. Roosevelt practically ran down the last few steps of
the gar)gway, wit,hhis pistol joun~ing at·his side. Next came the .
troopers. some limping, some; so weak they had to be helped
along. some on stretchers. "I feel positively ashamed of my ap.:
pcarance when I sec how badly some of my brave fellows are,"
Roosevelt declared. "Oh, hut we have had a bully fight!"
E·:dith had been informed that her Jiusbandwas tO: returti in
rnid~August, hut sl~c did nilt kriow- the exact date_. As soon as he
nn~ld. Roosevelt telephoned Oyster Bay to inform his wife of his
arrrval and asked her to come out to Montauk at once. Sagamore
II ill had no te_lcphone. so the message was relayed fr~m the village
hv a hoy nn a hicvclc' Bv I he I iIll(' Fd iI h reached I he camp. rhe
I
�-'Ill
•
TJtrotHIRI'
Roosr.vn.r
rcf?.iment had been placc.d under a strict. five-day" quarantine: But
Roose,·dt had made o;pccial arrangem_ents In sec her clandestinely.
She \\';1" met lw a \'Ptmg officer. wl1e·, o;n111ggled her hushand out
for the rcndo'n"" I he\' had an hourlnJ!l'lher. and all that Edith
wiHIId sa\ wao; ... lltce~dnre lo11k" \wll htit thin.··
•
I
"My
CROWDED HouR"
•
3I I
could he assured that" 'every thief will be caught and punished,
and every dollar that can he found·will be restored to the public·
treasury.· Then I will follow the colonel leading his Rough Riders
:up San Juan llill and ask the hand to play the The Star Spangled
Banner.· ··
.
-
Three .da\o; brtnre.thc RouJ!h l{ider~ had arrived at Montauk.
Platt saw the point. hut his distaste for Roosevelt had not melthe war with Spain wao; formally d~·rlarcd at an end~lcss than
lowed. _In· addition to an ingrained animosity toward him, he
four rnontho; after it h:ulliegllli. ''It has heen a splcndidlittle war:_·
thought Roosevelt "a little loose'' on the issue of trusts and wanted
John Jim wrPte J{on"t~vclt. <'uha had won its independence. and
:!ssuranccs that once he was in office- he would not "make war"
<iu:11n. l'ut·r rn I{ in;_ and t_hc Philippine" wnc ceded to the United
on the Repuhlicarnnachine. lie was also reluctant to give RooState" '"' J{e~,,...t·n-11. the war had hee11 a \'indication of his physsevclt's career a further him~t. "If he becomes Governor of New
ical t"lllll:trc and t,,, :thilitit'" ao; a ll'ader. and it thrust him int<i
York. sooner or later. with his personality, he will have to be
the nat1e~nal ltnH·h~~hr. I k fi'tiiHI. himo;l'Jf nne nf the most" famous
President of the United Staies," the old man declared. "I am
_ l_ll_t'Jl i_il_!hr_n:tl i_~~~~- :lll~l__t.·,·cp·pne rt!~_l<;~d..t''.:.PllY)~i-~1_1_ h'.'!l~-- _N~~:-s-: .. -~-. _. _ ~~ __ ... ~~ c:J!~ail.l )5~ 5_iar_t t!wt thing going.··_ Nevertheless, Quigg·persuaded·- .. _.papers_ "l't:clllatcd_ah,.'"'- Jus_ (uture .. uu I po_lst.rc.: .11 Jl .Ide.: rs __wu e __ ~ ____ -:-< • ___ -.--- ____ U.ttt. to .1llow hrm to. sound C?Ut-Roos~elt.- ______ . ---· ___ . _ _ _________ _
ar_rractcd 111 1\l,,nrau~ li~c irnn filinJ!s to a ma~nt·t.
·_
·
. . . ·
·
O!rigg wasted no time in asking the Cblonel for "a plain state- .
John .Jav <·hapman. eso;avi..r. poei. fellow Porcdlian. and head
nicnt:' about whether_ or not he was interested in the governorship~ .
_pf the rim· Jndq~cruknr party: wao; the firo;t to make the pilgririlage._
and if elected, would he "make war" on Platt- and his organization.
·Chapman had a d1cam- he bclined that with. Ro(lsevclt at the
Roosevelt's reply was forthright. Indeed; he would like to have
head nf it<; lickct.· the part~· could not (lilly win the ~overnorship.. .
the nomination. and he gave assurances that he would ''nqt make
war on Mr. Platt or anyhody else if war could be avoided." As· a
hut lco;;o;cr q;,tc nffin·s as well. Rono;en-lt's strong ~ense. 11f party.
good Republican he wcnild make every effort to work with the
lnvalt v and l':11im prarr it· alit v inrlin~d him to he noncommittal.
al~nut. Chapm:tn nfkr nf his part v's n(,mination hut- (hnpman
· or~ani.zation ;with "the sincere hope" there might be "harmony ..
was l·nrl\·inccd pf hi' :tpproval b\' lhl· Rt'll!!h Rider's failure to
of opinion nnd purpose.'' He reserved the right to consult with
decline st nuin.cht
·
·
· ·
· anyone he pleased. however. and "to act'.finally as my own judgemcnt nnd conscience directed." Quigg replied that this was the.
. Clln)!rt'S"man I t'llllll'l F . Oui!!~- a prominenr"J{cpuhlicm and
nne nf ·Ji,m l'latt< chid lieutenant". was the next to make an
answer he had expected and would immediately consuJt with Platt
ahout the. next move.
·
. ·
·
. appearantr :11 Rnoo;evelt\ ient. Platt. whn controlled som~· 700:
1
.oftht• 171 dek~alc" tntheo;tate cnnn·ntion scheduled for Sar:lh1ga
· Other visitors came ·to Montauk .as the Rough Ri_9ers recuper- -·
late in Si:ptcmbn. wao; fl:itl~· orr~~~ed to !living Ronsevelt the
ated nnd ·awaited demobilization. Presideilt McKinley reviewed
J!llbcrn;-tt<'rial ~tnmill~llinn. hut he. was ir1 a quaridary.J 1c needed_
the troops; and it w,as n?ted that he got out of his carriage to
""menne rn rt'pl:ttT <;nvcrnnr FrankS. Black. whose administragreet Roosev~lt personally. Edith brought Alice, Ted, and Kermit
ti<'ll had l'l'l'll blarki:nl'd by insurance frauds and scandals ·ir1 the
for an ove.rnight visit. Round-eyed with wonder, the boys listened
rcrnn<;trurtiPn pf thl' hie Canal. and Ouigg empha.sizcd that
to tales told hy the troopers, inspected everything, and slept with
Rtll'"evelt ~,-;,._ the nnl~· Rl'puhlican wlui cnuld win in November.
I heir _father in his tent. Pretty Alice, e·very inch the "Colonel's
~ ('haunrev 1\1 Depew. president of the New York Central and
daughter'' at fourteen nnd a half, was a hit with the younger
:.a kadill)! Hl'publtt ;111 nrator. pur it qsrrinrtly .. If Black were reofficers.
·
.
.
Rooscvl'lt was_writing at his desk on September 1J when several
nninill:lll·d. he !Phi I'Lttt. it wnultl be difficult to deal with the
rorrurtinn i"'lll' ·nur If Cnlnnrl Rnnse\'1'11 were the r"i111didate.
Jlll'n ducked in and asked him lo come; out for a brief ceremony.
he l"PIIItl q , ni1l1 ,,,,n,.lii•n rlt:tl if he ".l·ic rlrl·lrd rlw ,·nrcrs
Bli11ki~1~ in tltl' s11nli).!ltl. he found the regiment drawn r in a
<
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CH.-\PTER XVI
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-
•
t
;
-:-HE· .. ROC:\0 ROO!:\" 1.:\CIDE:\rT
T :II:: iir:~t alarm. <)i a:1 epider.1ic ,)f sidkri~ssl in .the
a:-:-:1 :.: ::1 i ~~m t r)f Sa:1 tia~•) reac ht!d ~he d'epartmen t on
· j u::: r jt!L · ft came in· the form •A a td~g~am, which
- ~hus ~e~cl in.. pU;t:
·
::1..'·~;
T:-:c s..:r:•Jus iJO.rt 'Jt ch..: ~ituo.tiori :s th,at ;:hae o.re ruu
:.h~ ·)pi:Uun ui the
:A ::diuw · ft:vt:r i:-t thi:' •:orr.rr..J.r.d, .1:1d
~ur~e0r.s ::; that it will spread rapidly:·•
i·
This a:1nouncement in)ected a new ana most alarm~
in:; facto.r int~ a problem -already diffi.c~lt. In the
Gr::;t place, negotiations for the surre:1der \vere still' in
progres~. and in the next place the existence of yellowfe·:c:r forbade the sending of any portion bf Shafter's ·
armv to Puerto Rico to reinforce Gene~ali MileS. who
was- then at Guantanarno, on the ·tran~~o~ts carrying
part of his expedition.· rt was fair to assume, if . Toral •
·I
.
became aware of an outbreak of yello\y-fFer ·among
uur troops. especially if 'it was attend~: by 'the least
sign of panic and demoralization. he ~·o:uld at. once
I
interrupt negotiations. With disease I fighting his
.
.
,
.
battles fur him. the Spanish general \\·ould soon be
.
• . I
'
I
.
• .-\s we have ·alre:ldy seen. Gener:1l Shafter :1nn~unced ·on th_e '9th·
o! July that three cases o! yellow-fever had ~ps)eareu' in ;;_ Michig:m
re~m~n\. This e:,;tract is from General ~tiles's desphtch, quoted in ·
lull on p. ~01.·
i· j
255
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.. :\5 s...-.:r: as :.'le miEt.a.:: si::.;a~on admits oi such action,
S.:,.y.;.:.: ~ r.:hdra~ fror:: pP::~ximity _to :he iniected tow.ns
anci eno=;:ei 'lO high ground near th<! coast and within easy
:-..a.:h oi .. :..r:~ ~ of suppEes. The cariJps should be well sepa. n:erl, a;:e· a:::y regiment -;ohic!J. remains in such fresh camp
:"or 5.ve -:i2.::-; -T.:..~out ha\·ing a.-:y o._-es of yell•Jw-fever among :he
. :.:')t)95 ::or.:..::i ~ put on a tran.,-;:oor.. if desired, to return home or
s•:) to sv= -J~r ;:>oint ,of'ac:.:·:e oper:Hions. ,If cases oi yellow·
:e\-~ oc::-.1: ::: .1..-:y ~e~?;imer:t ~y :._-eli. :.hey should at once be sent
:o :be' hu:s;t~ es~blished for the reception •)f ·such case's and
. t.~e reg:~e::: s2lould not be ;:>•.:t uF"'n a tr::1nsport until at least
. fi\·e da:f'5 i:.r:--: elapsed since tbe last case of yellow-fever. In
g'e:::er.ll. ::<J ::LSeS of yellow·fe·:er a:1d no suspicious cases of yellow
fe~er should §·J u;:>on the tra~por.s. as .it is extremely important
that thec-e shodd not become i.n!ec:ed. ··
.
troo~
256
!
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a::ti. ;:~~Jin~ t!:e _;;uccl.!s.sL:l cor.~>..:.::ii~r. .·f . ·..;r c:i'vr~s ,,) SCC'.:~l.! Tojral's capitu:ation, ·
:!-:c .sr:-...a~:~: bi under rr.ig!: t !;a ·:e tr. \'•)l·:ed us in disa.-:;.-=:.
l: ·.,-:!..3 :.:::-.:>~o·:: to. Gc::c~il SC:ai:~~ that, in additi~m
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:a:5c:- ·.:-..a:: :"..lS 0\1.-n. l':·-.·~c::- ::-.e c:rcumstances we had
r.•:i a::c~:-..a:.:-:e ::!;a:1 to ~a~::.:.a:r: t!:c military situation
a.s :t :::<::: s:•'X'<i. · E·;e:; ::-:c :ncasures for checking
:::c 5p~~!~ )1 ~::t! fe.ve:-· l:a=.:! :·J ~c rr:aCt! \\·ith caution.
a::c. :..:.:-..:=: :r.a:1y e:T,::>a::a.::s:-::e:--,::s. The Secretar.•Jf Wa: :-...ac:. on july !3~!:. ad•.-:scd General Sha:tcr by
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:i;..: ;:b. .-\rm'y C•)rps was to_ be put. into ·;car:np ::car
Sar.~ia~0. but above the f~~·er belt.
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. '
. "=:.t;-;er:s here ,3ay t.his·~J.n
T~is is; th:e 5.r'it step :•)
·:;)unJ. ::1d:::.:;ajlt: ~!J ~r:ns· ylj~r
::-:•:p,; .1·...-J.y. :t ·.v:!l 'oe dor:e. .\:ter ·;:Lr·~!-:..:l ;~n'sirl.t:rJ.~!·;n ··li :.he
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oe done.·
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. iJOS.;t'::>i<! J!d in·:~e ;Jower 0£ ~he ;pverrune:-:: ·.~o·ill 'oe ~inn y0u. ·.
1--;r t:-.e ·rmrr.e::t, howeve:-. th~re '-liaS Ao ioption sa\·e
•)i preserving an unbroke:: front._ , 1 •
F0rtunatelv the tension was soon relieved. T:1e
Spar.iards capitulated four. days aiter; the first a:1r.our.ce:neri. t ·of a yellow-fc,:e:- epidcrnici ·. ~nd Ce:1eral ·
Shai:e:- was free to deal with the .
oroble:'n-,-r.ot whoLI\·
:· ~c~. t::ough. for the disa:-med. Spa:1ish 1 piisoners had
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t•) he ~·Jarded. not only to pre•:e:1t them fr0:m escaping,
bu~ to protect them against the Cuba:1s, ;w~•) were now
ex:~emelv warlike; and this doub.le d~lt\· called for
\-i~ilanc~ and no little sho\.,. of force or; G~~neral Shai:er·s pa~:. Indeed. the chief duty oi our j trpops at that
time consisted in guarding the disarmed Spaniards. ·
On the dav of the formal surrender. Gen'eral·Shafter
was notified that
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;• T~t: Secretary oi Wa.r expcc:s that \"I'JU ·.vill ttake the fe\·er ·
qut:Stion into ac:ive consideration. Huw far wiH it ~ possible to
obce :he .:ommand abOve the fe\·er· belt, and ho,~. soon., An e~l~
;~port on the situation is requested."
f
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Shafter replied (july 18th):· ·
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" Troops will be put in good camps as soon as possible. lput
the .:a,·alry division out this A.:\!., but until pri~oners ar'e sent·
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" Th~· :nin.ute the ;:>risor.en .:an .Je disposerf ui will ;:>•it :r•v-,ps
v.v-:nt:; :nd~s i11land •m r::11lroad, anJ .ho~ fur· :mpr•in:mcnt. ··
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The •lllarantme authorities in the l'i1itcd Stat~s
were :eluctant to advise that an army infcctl!d with
ydlow-fe\·er be brought to any part of the coui:try.
h .:';1~:. ·.vhen i·t was made known that the d~::,a::tn1ent
p:-orosed to bring this ar:ny to some point on ~r.e :'\ew
E11g-:and coast, several prominent Senators called at
the War Department' to personally protest. against
such a course. .\[oreo•;er, experts -iri ·such .matters
I
had .ex:_pressed the opinion, as ·already ·stated, that
Gene:-al Shafter's corps could be moved· ·[o the mour.i
tai:".ous :-egions about Santiago. above the supp0!;cd
fever belt, where the· t~oops could be. kept unt,il ·the
yellow-fever. \vas eradicated,. in which General \files,
then in Cuba, expressed concurrence: . Then, too, the
government was·· not unmindful of. .the danger of {n-.
fectiryg every transport in its already too limited fleet,
i
i ,. that might ~ used to return the troops in Cuba.
. ~Iilitar'y nee~ssity demanded the presence of the
troops
Santiago to guard the Spanish prisoners;
, prudence and protection of the country against an
epidemic of yellow-fever. prevented their return until
that supposed danger had passed, or its real condition
·was determined-every consideration, in fact, of strat. 'egy and prudence made it imperative .that the, sth
·Corps remain in Cuba. ·Such wa~ the positiqn ~eld ·
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.;a:rid ::.- :::<:! _r.:di(a: a:1J· q·..:a.~a:itln<:! author!ities as
.:a:·-::. ·.\·.:1.:; :-::a·:~ k:w·.\·:-t ·:o Ger.eral Shaiter. ~s already ·
s~...J.:~ . .1..:; ~:::;as }.L:: :.):\ ar:d :-ep~;lted,to!hi~. July .
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·:':.;.:, T::.~ :~:=e is :o ~d;:> ::?u :n: e\·'!:-/ ·.v:~:: !)<!Ssibl~. i A.s .;oon
~ :·J~e .
..,:;:.b sa:~i.y. ':.l :s !;.~·:n:ent:on in-i~g !h<? mt:.re
::or?s .\")'r"~ for' r~s: ::.·,..d ~i?C"-';>eT·.:::on. ·•
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day. j-.::y 2,3d. Ger.eral ShaftF replied,
::T.ve•:e:-. :::a: ·• ~;,e. si::.:.ation is :1ot alarming, .. · but
::-.a: .. i: i ·)•..;.: 0f :he ·1~:.estion to ;-r:~ve a~y more troops .
'..;.:::ii the ;r:&Jne::s a:e s:.a.r:ed for Spain, and tpe rail~0ad is ~e-:a::ed. · ·
On che ;s:~ of July :he Sur:ge6n-General wa:s directe~ ·
:o pr~e-eC ~v :\[ontauk Point, a::d report 'on 'th~ suitability of ~~: place as a camp of rec~perat1ort. The
fa·:orab[e decision of the department, based; U!)On. his
re?Qrt; was comrnunica:ed ·to Shafter on
~8th of
J.:ly. as f·1llows:
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the
"\\".-\..~ DEP.-\..~7:\IE:-.'T, July
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:' Woulrl ~t DDt ~ well ~ encour.age your· co~and b~· telling
them thev ._.;Jl be lD.O\'ed :\orth as 5000 ~the fever casks subside?.
It would~sti:nu!ate th~m·, it . seems.to
and. that fr~1uetitly i; .~
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How :na:1:: ~pa~:J.~':.; 'la·:~
R.. \ . .\:..CE:R.
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·lf \\'.1r. ··
On the 27th 0i July General Shafter re::ortcd that.
from 'a pathoio~ical point of ~·ie·...-. it wouid be safe to
•xder the ca·:alry division back to the l":-:i:ed States.
On the rst .l)i Ausust he ~egarded __ the r!:::::a:-y situa- ·
t:f)n so much :-elie•:ed that the cava~:-y di·.-:::·i·m .. could
be spa:-ed. · · Instructions ··•·e:-e. t:-:e:-.ef·)~~ gi ·:e:1 him
on that day ( .-\u~ust Isti
i.
Wheeler's c!isrno~;:-:teci ·:a·::1ir:: )n :he L.r-'I.st'ana
'o ::;ew Y·xk· ·.1·i:e:e t.hc:: ·,t,·i!! ':.e ;:>t;t :n .:a:::;:> a: :'.Ior:tauk Point.
'Great -:a:e ~nou:ci be hac! :hac no :::;an ::".f~ccd wi:h :e\·er ~sent.
0n (he :e~~:t 0i :h:~ 3hi;;r::er:t ~il cie;::~:-:ci :c:::ner .1-:::on :n ::no·.-.
:r:g ::r-ur comr:-:<.1:-.d. Ha·.-e a carei:..:l :::eci:cal ·JE-:er ~orne with
.. to ser:d .;0r::.e 0f
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Orders Tor the necessary contracts to prepare :\Ion~
tauk Point were given on the rst of August and approved or. the id. These provisions, ho\ve\·er, were for
a detention camp of but s,ooo, and a ger.eral hospital
of 500, then regarded as more than su fficierH to meet
the demands ofthe sth Corps, which it' was proposed
to ret~rn ·in instalments. There was. however, at
:\fontauk Point ample camping- ground t"or a whole
army.~'
• ..\n arrnr ir{ the field. !s sup~d to be a comp!ete '-I nit in itself;
• and to c.·ui-y with it every nec~ity for propedy feeding and shelterin~ the troops. All'. a'nd a great deal m<:)re, that an army usually does
for itself had to be done hy the War DepartC'lent for Shafter's men .
)lot only were tents erected for them in ·two separate camps (the detention camp and the general camp), but the.se tent3 and the hospitals
were Boo.-ed. See, ho"·ever,.chapter on ·• Camps and Disease.··
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::-:c.: lr;t•)r:'nat:vn m :!:e p<Jsscs.:;••0n'·)i the·
War Department showed, the situation on t,he; Ist of
.\~1:,;:.1.:;t ·.va.:;· as
.\[ilitarv considerati0ns had
!
:~1ar!e it impossible for Shafkr to detach any part of
::is .::ommand, other tha!". the .::avalrv, with a ~-iew' of
:~~cki:'H{ :ht! ~prt!ad <)f ·;ellow- fevt!.r.' In th~ me~·n
·::n~. che WJ.r De~anment had selected :\fontauk Point
1 july .::6thi as J. place in ,every way suitable for the
~-~~~~rn· ')i the troopS: of ·~·hich fact Ge~eraT $hafter
xas informe~ j'.1i:: 28th. Cmtracts f•)r a ca,mp 'suita':J~.: :·or a .5ma~l part ,Ji th~ J..rmy ·,\·ere ordered onithe rst
A .-\ u~ust and let on the 2d.
July 26th' General
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r recommended the embarkation of the <tavalrv
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n; julv .28th he reoorted it safe for that di,·ision
~c::-:1. and August I~t said that th~t p~.rt of his·.
a:-:-:.y ·~ould be spared. · On the date last nain.e~; Gen-.
::::-a!. \\"heeler's command was orde:-ed backi to· the
l. ni:ed States, while preparations at :\fontauk Point.
·.\·ere rapidly made for its reception.'
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• .\.; a ·.!eta(~rn~nt •)i the rel{ular cavalry J.t Santias•l !1ad been
:ci> .~t Tarr:pa, P•Jrt TJ.mpa. and F'er:1andini\. as ·.veil .:1s on-='~.:Htalion
.,! :he :st \."<Jiunt'e<:r C.H'.:lirv (W•>Od's regiment). and all the !Jorse:s
:··Jr ~th t!-t~ re~ubr J.nu .,oiunteer cavalry organizations, it wa:S de::J~d. A.ui{'.JSt !st. when th~ c::~ valry division ·.vas' ordered to t!'Je L"oited
~[.~ tes. :·) !-Ia \'e these detachments join their coomandsl at' :\funtauk
.,.;:h :h<:ir mounts; ·b~t .the order for this purpose was
~\\'en until
\·.~·,;•.tst Ju. ~~~ncr:1l Sh:.1fter anci General :\fil'es had recommended
:::.n ~!1~ .:a·:.:1tr:: di·:ision be mounted upon its retu·rn to the Cnite.:I
:5>.\:o::s. T!-tcn. too. ~!1e i1ealth oi the cavalrv deta.:hments ih Florida,
·~ T~il :>;; :l:e cunJition of the mounts [or th~ ~ntire .:avalr)· cfi,·ision,
:n.tolc ·th<: ·:han~e ad·:isable. Sioce :\fontauk Point' iafforded eic:ellent fa(ilities for C:IV:Iiry drill, it \VaS ,proposed to establish there
a camp of preparation as well as of recuperation, for the exPedition
:t~;ainst Havana then .itill thought to be oecessary. While I' have·
:10 kno·.liledse or ·even belief that the ordering of these J.~59 officers and men to :\tontaulc Point· was a detriment or that' the send; n~ oi 5.505 horses and mules there caused additional' sickne,s., · vet
:!tt•ir rr~~en.:e in a m~asure incre:Jsl'd the confusion c':Jused b}: the
not
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�.-\::;. a:r;.:ad:> ::,~.t:..:d. L.!pon tr.t.! su(;,;·.:5.~ .,[ :his r::•)>·e~n~~: ~: ·.ras
r.ht: :-·~!1:~.findt!r Q{
. the :,:h ~...· ..~r;)s. · L'p .:,) :his time :::e ·::..:::;>.,·-i:.:<:t:r sittit•J
dt!F~:~d L!1~ return 1)i
ati•Jn was ret,)l)rtt!\i c'mstantly ·' impr0vi:-::;; ... and .. not.
alarming.·· and ~·.-.en as late as J u.ly .2'.)th ··daily re~orts show rapid inc'rease of cases: but at the same
time they are not severe.''
.On the mor:1i:-:g of the 2d of .-\ugust the following
des:.'atch \~·as ~et:ei;·ed from General Shafter:
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" [am :old :h.:lt a: J.ny :!rn~ an ~pi<iemi·~ r:i ::-::!l•)'.\'·:.:•:u i:; :.:able
[ .ld:::~e :::a: :h<! :rt:-ops '::e :no·:~J J.3. ~:l:o!ci!-; a:; c;.)SSibie
·\·h· 1 ~· .:,~ ·,: ~o..n..·•• - • • :. .,:,• •)t_. a· ·-·t·lu·< •··~ '.\·:.;.. ,:..e ·_.e~a·r·ur.e of :'-e
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La.ter that day a conierence was held at the White
. House. the Pres:dent, the· Secretary oi War·. and the
Surgedn-General being prese'nL As a result. of that
c0nfere:1ce, Gene~al Shafter was :-:oti~ed that
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;;rst Iot 0i ?r:sor.e~s. all 'J.ut a br.igac!e ·:an ~"· ar:d' ~ow qyairy
ii':i~ion .:ar. be spare-:.··
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"ait~r iull ,;onsuita:ion with Surgeon-G~r.erai. :( is. deemed best
to have you ffiQ\'1! y0ur command 'up to end 0i railroad, where
yellow-[e\·er is imp-ossibl~. Then we wiil mo\·e then;t north a.~
rapidly as possible. What do you ·advise:"
\Vhen General ·Shafter ....-as informed that it was
proposed to mo\·e. his.. army "up tq the e:1d of the railroad .. , he sent the follo\ving cablegram, dated .-\ugust
Jd, and ret:ei ved th~ same_ day :
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necessity sudJ~nly thrust upon the department of expanding a recuperati,·e omp origirully intended for but.J,'OOO or 4.000 into a camp
for JO,OOO. We were still preparing for war, as it 1\"as known that
at least t3o,ooo Spanish troops; well armed. \\'ere in Cuba.
26.2
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T~-: ~:.uir•JaJ :s :1•;<. ::~t·;~p;.L:r!:<l. .tlthough
a 'Nt!ek.· ·[:::i
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rnt!n
-!;1:: ~t ·.;,..:·~.:st. ai-1<1 it wdl ta!<<! un:il th<! ~:;d •1i :.\uJ·~~~t :•; :nake
::--...; X•)·:-:. '!'·en J :h<! ;id< list should not :r.c:rea.oe~ · :\n •.)ffic:er oi
~:: ;t;.L:!'. L:e•J:er.a:1t \L!ey. ·.vho has ivo)i.;ed •J\·er ;h<! 5-0und.
';)',"i ·.n.:lt :t :s :1•)t .1 ;;ooJ. ·~:..tmpm~;·.;~'1t:r:J.
Th.: ·~o~,;r.:r·: is -:o\·er'!':i··.~·:::: ~;3.~5 ~:; h11;h as a. man's head ·...·r:.:n ;:Ji:i;; ~·xs..: ..·and.
· ·..:;J :n :.he ~II.; :here is no ·~.:J.:er, .:1nd :t ·.v:J
:eq·~~~ to ;J~mp·
.v:.~.:<!r ·:.\·'1' ~!es. He .llso states that ::llr.f.:lll :s i:·.vice a.s g:e.:J.t
,,.; :t :s :-.ere ar:d .'!-le soil is a bla~k loam :~at is nutis~,;:t.J.ble for
·~:J.r::;:l!r.~. T:ocps that have been sent :o :::at ~oc::illt~· !-la·.:e been
~ou5e'l :n ':oarracks. I:1 my opinion :here i3 'out on~ co.urse :o take.
:hat is :o immediately transport che jth Corps :.:J.nd the de-.
r•!~i::le.r:ts that came with it to :he 'L'nited States.· Ii it
:.s ::ot done. I bel.ie•:e the. death-rate ·Rill be appallin~.' I am .sus:.ai::ed ~n .this ·:ie·R by ~•ery ·medical officer ?re.seqt. \ I called to- .
;;;ether ·.O....:a)' the general officen and d;e 3enior rpeqical officers
.1d te!<!g::qh you their views. The:~ :s more 7r less yellow.
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.· :e·:·~r :n :l!xost e..-e:-:: reg1rnent: h r<;~,;gnot;t ·• ·:om~a:~:~· ..\ 3 soon
:::e
:u it de·:-:!.1ps they are sent to hospital. 'ot;t new sascs :i.rise. not
·:er:: xan::· it' is :rue, and it is oi a mild :ype. but pe\·enheless
it is here. .-\il :nen taken with it will. oi ~ourse, have to be leit
and have :o take their .:hances. Some ..,·iil undoubtedly be taken
1
s1ck on the ships and die. but the loss will be mu ch ;less thari ii
a:1 at:empt' is made to move this army to the interior, which is
:1ow re:J.lly an army ~f convalescents: at lea'st Se\·enty-9\'e per cent.
:oi :he men having had malarial fe\·er. and all so much weakened
~y ·.he ~x;::osure and h~w:lships which they ha\·e und'erg'1ne that
:hey :.~.r~ .:apa'ole no'w of very little exertion. They should be
;:JUt :u once on all the transports in the harbor a~d ~ot crowded
· at all. and this mo\·ement should begin to-morro-1 and be completed before the fifteenth. ..~11 here belie\·e the loss of life by
doing this will be· much .less than if more time is: ta~en. I£1 the
plan is adopted of waiting until the fever is stamped out, there
will be no troops moved from here until the fever season is past,
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.:: ,_---=--'= •. =· - ::-! ;r~-:-.1;:::-:..;-iypi:uu.i-i.:-:er. ·i;;:;ent.:ry. '!tc ..
-~ · 'e"~ ·.'~~ .{ ::.·l!...i:-..al-:ev~:-. -~hich are quite :ts !~tal a.-; :;cl,. ·!.~·
::-~ :::w.:::.: •lC'::!o..-:!1~ this ar:ny_has :Jeen placed b.:-~ :_:"TlL;.. .:-. .: ·~.::rm; .::a·.-e ::!:e ·Jpt:llons ·of all· com!T'..:~:-.Jin~ •Jificers
'i
· .: ~ ... ::o ~:;.· agree ,;vith me as to :.he only course.
-: :~ ·'· ~ ;::-~"o::r=:a:ion ·)i this arrny. T::e~·~ ~a:1 b.! no
--~.;~ . :-.= ~~ .it :X·oe. and it seems to rr:e that iniected
·.::.::: :s_ ::.::.::~ :ri. .~il =ome:-:.t.
:3i-iAf"TER,
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· ·.· \fa;cr-General. ·
-:-"::e: =: ~:::aJ.:..:::::
...·-::::-:::::::::.
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tb :r.e.::sage contained. ·..,·as a g.~eat
.. ~·.
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'~--:::=t~_. _.:,.::..cs .:1a d re;::vrtcu, m t h e . 6 t h
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·~:~:::~<:!d.
::-.a, by moving them tthe troops)
:· -·~- ..::-:~ :.:~ fe~·er rna~· be s:amped.out." Gen"
-:-:. ;:;:; -~:=:- :....:.:· :a~ecl. july 22d. as we have seen.
·_.::.·: ·.~ ·::: · _,...:__-::.:= G.: p:-:soners can be disposed of
... : ~: .· ~·~~ : ,-~n::: :-::i:es inla::.d on :ailroad, and
· ~- ==- -- :...~---~~- ·.- ar:.(..;. as 1atea 1 he -'d of ..""'\. ......
_. . 1
's ...
'ug"st·
•• -~ ~ . • • • :""'l .....
_
....... :......
:.::5u;. =-::-..i~:::-al =.ac ex;xessed :he opinion that the
.:·.-~::- :::::.::.._::. ~e s~ped •)Ut by the removal to the high
::: ·.:=:M:: ~·:··:e t:::.--: .!UP?Jsed fe ..·er b~lt. ~Ioreover, up to
,
::.:= .!!i::i.r · -. ·~:. ·.\·he:u General Shafter announced the
. \ · ..:::::_:-· ..-:.3 &e..:.:.=n~ witp a yellow-fever 'epidemic,
· :-..:: ~:-. ~~ from Cuba indicated a constantly
=:.!J:'I.-': :aGE::an. ~d the daily bulletins of sick1 .'
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::::.s -~ :~:.g 10 show that more m'en \~·ere re. _:-:-:~ : · i~ :::an w-ere going on t.he sick-list.
-~~' S'E!::ia:_~·s ".eport of. August rst (received
'='-~.IS: .:..:::1 ~:_.:.d: "Total sick. 4,255; total.fever
· .::2es_ ~~:·.1; ~- ca._<=es of fever, · 653; cases Of fe ..:er
',.,
=~-~~-.) ~-·i22.."
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·:c~=:~ -~ mediately upon the receipt of Gen-.
~..:..i. Siia-:=r·s ~sage describing in de~il the alarm: :cmrii::::-t <'lf -:...: ar.::::1y, he was direeted (August Jd) : .
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T' -r.·1·:-: ·.•> ~.;,~ L' ~te<i States ·;•Jcn .i :he tr~,.,~s· ·ir.de~ :,.,,.~
·:::-:~.,::·i 1 •.. \~'! :-~r.t .re<l·Jir~ :{)r rh.:::.- .1t Sa:--.::a~"-1 Y·)'.l -.:~n
·:'c :0r ·.n.:lt ;:>ur?<J.<;e the ~ans'ports ·now at Sa:--.ti.'l''i0; and ;u..:h
•Hne~:; ·\·:il '::le fu::ushcd y0u as rapidly ::ts OOs.510ie a.; .··:•)U rna\·
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.\·:r·! ~.:l :' "le n.:..:essary How many· tr'Xlps :ri Y'?llr: Ju<.!gmen't.
·dl .· :1!"1 uirc:d to. remain ;:>end in~ the re:no.,..:l! •)( the Soan:.>n
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,-,r:~•>r.e~:;. ar.d ·Nhen rernO\'ed cow :nan;: trr-ops ·J.·i!l 'x :C({uir~
'.{) ~~rr,~r!:: >;::tr":'ison the .distric: wh1ch '.\"::IS surier.Jercd tO Y•)U,
'.'.';, ... m ·fo ..•:0u inte::d to !ea' ·:e in ·:om:rianci' · Ca::::ot :lie ~olorec.
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w.np-; in ::our command be ·3a.ieiy kept at Santiag? _:or. the time
bcir.;;' H0w many of thee ~a·:e you' WJl .;end•immur.es.
•.v~ n.:l',''! to-r.ight ~rde.red Ger.er:J.! :\l!es tO ser.a :J~.e St.:Lou:s and
?.·;:;.!, ·~nich are now at ?0nce. to Sar.t:ag0 :o re~rt,.:o y0i.:..
2:: ;r'ie: .,f :he ·?:esident.
.. ?. .. l.. ;.l..~-G~~· ,,
Secretar7 0t .\ar .
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The letter to General Shafter, signed by pi~ general
officers. referred to in his ,alarming despatch of: .-\ugust
,3d .. ar:d coinmonly known as the "Round !Robin,,"
·.\·as not received until August -lth. It \\;as a_ccoiT.()anied b}· a letter from the chief surgeons of his. command.
Both of these papers were received:a(ter Gen- ,
era! Shafter had been directed to·repatriate! hi's army.
and the \Var Department had given instructions for
additional transports to . report to Santiago, and . hasL
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tened orders for the increased accommodations at 2\Ioni'
tauk Point.
The " Round Robin " is as follows:
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Augu.st J, · ("'1'-'.
" SA.:-.'TL-\GO DE Ct:BA, VI.\
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" Adjutant-Genera!,
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"(Received August 4;j I89S.)
S. A., Washington..
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.. f·)llowing letter giving the ~iews of the ge'nercil officers of
this command is sent for the consideration of the War Depart·
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·.v!: :h.: •..: nd<!r>'it;n<!d ;~~;era! ')ificer:;, ~nr.~":':ar.cin~ ·;ar:o•Js
Sri:p<.l<!s ..J; ·;is ions. ~t-: .. ·1i :.~<! ·c niteJ Stat~s ar::~;:' ,.,i <Xcupat:uri :n C.u~a . .:i:e of the .•..:::ar..!r::.ous •1pin1•m that :ru.; .:u:ny ::nust
at on<:e :.C ::.:t~~n out oi :h<! :~:a::d •Jt Ci..loa :tr.d sent :o som<! point
rm :hc> :1or•.hcrn 3e:t--:oa.;t ·)t \..' ::i :cd St:ttcs; tiu~ •.his :a:1 be done
·.vith•Jut dan;;cr to th<! ;x:opi<! oi :i':e L. r-,ited States; :hat. there is
no ~pidemic •Ji :.-eUo\V·tc•.-~r :n :..~e a,.:.:ny at. prese::t---0ni:: a few·
3p<Jr:ttiic cases ; th:tt . tl:<! .lr:il:: is disaoled ~y :r.a:ar:al-fever to
:;uch an ~xtent th:tt.its e£5..::.:::.::,- is destP)yed, a::d it :s :n a ·:orir:iition :o '::>.: pra.::icail:: .en•.::'!!:: dcst:oyec ):: the epicemic oi yello'·.v-fe·:~~ 5u:e :o .,:orne ~!1 t:. . ~ :"'.e.J.r :··..::·..!r·~.
',r-! ~:"'.0'·"'' ::-t')m reports
· ·:~.-;m ccm;x:tcm 'ii::~c:s ar.c ::')r.: .;:c:,::c:-:al obse:·.-at:or.s :.hat the
a::n·.<s unable to :::-:o·:e to :.~e::n:er:or. ar.d :."'Jat :.l:e:e are :10 facilities .for such ::r.o•:e, if att~~pted; ar.d ~i!l not :.e ur.tii coo !ate.
:\[oreo\·er. the 'cest :nedical .iutnori;ies :..,, the islar.d say that with
our present ~'...lipmer'.t we couid :10t !i·;e i:1 the interior. during
~he :air.:: seasor. ·.~o·i:hout :csses ::om :r.a!aria!-f~ver almost as
bad!:: 3.s ::om ;;ellow-:<!·;e:. T:-:.is ~:-::1:: ::=ust :.e :r.o>ed at once
or it ·.viii :Jerish. A.s an a::rn- :t ca!1 ~ saielv ::::o•:ed ::ow. Persons :es~nSl:Jle for pr~Ve:'lti~g .SUC~ a ffiO\'~ ·~·::1 be r~sponsibJe
ior the unnecessary loss oi :na:1y thousands of lives. Our opi..'1icns are the result of carei·.1l and personal obser•:atior.s, and are
also based upon the· ur.an::nous opinion of our !:ledical officers.
who are with the arr.w ar.ci understand the sit:.Jation abso!utelv.
(Signed) jos. \'v"heel;r; .\Iajor-General Volunteers; ~muel
Sumn~r. commanding Cavalry Brigade; \\-illiao Ludlow: Brigadier- General, l'. · S. V .. comm~nding rst Brigace. id Di>ision;
Adelbert Ames. Brigadier- General: C. S. V., commanding Jd
Brigade, Ist Di,·ision: Leor.ard Wood. Brigadier-t;e:1eral. l'. S. V.,
commanding city Samiag0; Theodore Roo.se\·e!t. Colonel. commanding 2d Ca,·alry Brigade; ·.J F·)rd Kent . .\fa;or- General
Volunteers, commanding rst Division . .;th Corps; J C. Bates,
~fajor-General Volunteers. commanding Pro~o·isional Division, sth
Corps; H. W. LaWton. :\fajor-General Volunteers·. commanding
2d Division, .;th Corps: ,C. :\fcKibbin, Brigadi~r- General,
t:. S. V., commanding 2d Brigade. 2d Division.'
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·" SH.-l.FTER,: .\[ajor-General."
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"S.:..sTI.-\C.O, .-lusti.:t i~. ;$9$ .
.. .-~·.i:A:r. r'.!-0~e-ro::: a/ the Arm:; .. Washin~ton.
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, ::-: :or.::e-;::.;n ·Ntth :-ny :.:!<!gram ot :n..: jd :nstant ..1ncl .th..:
:..:t:::: -:i :.!:<! s~:l<!r:ll •Jdicers :o. me oi :he sarr.e rl.:lt~. [ ha·:e tho!
h•.r.•.: ·.:>,;.a:: :_;:,.H ;:.n.:c :hen [ ha·:e taLketi··.vith :ht: !di;\sion-.:om::Ja::-:-::; .1::•.! ::-:...::: :rnn ::1c in :;aying that th..: fin[ ;eP,xt: was made'
1 '··~cu n· 1 '-·'-~' .. s·ed'(.. ,.(,
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·.J'nc·:.;~n· ·l.
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::-.-: : :'-.:::.1::•!. :n•:r-! :han ;c•:<!n:y-6·:e ;:-<!r .;e:-:t. oi ·.•;h:.:h ha·:e.
'..:..:~:: ::: -•·:::-:. J. ·:·:::.· ·.\·..:aker.in~ :nal.:lr:al-f~·:cr :a.stini;; :irm-: :our :o
,;;:-c :a::; J.::~ ·.v::;~;,_ \e.:l'.'CS everj =:an :0<) m:.~ch: broke:-\ d•>Wn
··J ·~·if .1r.:_.· .scr·:!.:e . .:1nd· in no condition to :Nithstand a'n <!?idemic
·e::.;·..<ie·:c: ·.v:-:ich ail'regard as irnmir:ent. as :he~e a:e more
:r:s..; :~s in e·:er:: regiment here. F·x strong ahd healthy
~'.!:;::-::c:::.s ·:::>::.ir:g ;,ere now and .:1 litde later. ·.~·ith ;:Jic.~ny.oi t~nt
:1;;:: :c. :::>·:'!: :.':e::: and not subject to a:1y :-:.:1rd.ohip_s and ·.vi:h
~i<!~::: .i not.::i~h:.::g food, the danger. in:ny opinion ~nd -:hat of
•.!-:c .::·.-:.s:cn CO!T'--nant!ers. will ~ reduced :0 .3. minimum. For
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ca·;s :.'::s ;om:na::d !av in trenches ',l,'ithout ;hdter.' ex;>osed to
,~.,;~ a::d :.:1.!:1. ~r.d,
orJv hard bread, bacon. ~nd: coffee. and
::--..:se :-..J.:csnips, :1c:ount for its pre;ent condition .. tJ il.One oi which
w!:l :;:o0ps coming now be subjected .. , ·
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w1th
In adding his signature to the "Ro~nd Robin,"
Lawton. with thorough militar~• spirit. and. .
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an ir:sight into the true situation \'.;·hidi s,ubsequent
c\·en:s oro . .~ed to have been most remarkable. wrote'.
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tr..e foUov.-ing endorsement:
Ge~eral
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th~
" I:i signing the above letter, I do so with
uhdetsU.:nding
it has ~n seen and approved by the commanding general. I
desire to express it as my strong opinion that ' ~he, best medical'
authorities o£ the island' and' all the surgeons of the command'
be aL"' required to sign the paper. At le~st the ~hie£ surgeon
207.
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:.,:::.;·:.~..;! .. ·c·i .:: ·i-:·:· :c~:cr :.; :.-::;JQI;::~- -lr.c
·. :'.f:l :.:r '!.'t::r~.;.,:.;::.'. ·., ·:: . .;..: i:-;!1 ::1.-lu:.~.,r:::: s~r:
r;::.,•. ·.. :: :::.,::•: .. · r·:
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tr.:: .:-:~.: .
.\ppa:-~ntly. a.-;· a ~esu:: or
t11is recommenda[i0n,
the · c hie:· s u ~~c•)ns ser: t :he
f•Ji-iowing to General
Sn.J.fter:
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· 5.-.::-:-:.v.;;) ::lt:: ::·:3.-\. ·.·:.\ H.-\:T:,
·· .·lci.:t:..::,!:-':;-!•tr!'T'.;!. ·~~ .:) . .·L. :r·:;.7hut~!.J,t.
le•.:.~r ;:·::::~ :!:e 0p1:-.ic;n •)i 'he rnec!ical
:rn:;:r.:.~noi :s ;em :·'"Jr :he ~or.siri·:ra:ion 0i the War
' r·Ji!•J'.\'::1:,:.
. :•i ·.hts
rr.~::::t
.
A!l~ust .J. r3·;.~.
•)if:Cer;
Depan-
· T;!<! A'd·:;tr:n:-'~cnr.-::: ~-~ Ann.:; C?rps.
.. Si::l.-.The
:h:~:·
'i::r:;e.•m ·)i ·,he :;:h ...\.::n.); Cor?S ar.d
t.~e
3:.Jq~or:3 ·Ji <ii•:is:or.3 con3ider it,:o ~e :!:eir imperative dut:;·. alee~
m.lt:.J:e de!ibera:ior:.· to e:tpress· :heir unanimous opi:tion that
:his :lr.:-1:.---!s ::10\V m
·:er:; .::-itical cor.dition. . They ~iieve that
th<! we·;a!~:-:t ::!l.::lbrial-ie·:er wiil ,doubtless ~ont!nue its ra\·a·ges .
. <lt:d th.::lt it3 :nor:aiity '.>ill SoOn ·:r.Gea.se; :hat there is irr:minent
.r:!a::ger :h'"-t the ::e!!oJ·.\·-(e·:e~. :10w :sporadic a:-:d of a :nild type,
· :na:: a:-~y da:: as3umc .l ·::r<.der.t :::pe .and :~c-ome epide!-::ic. T!1ey
unanimously recommend that the only co4rse to purs~e to sa \"e
the Ii ·:es of thousanc!s of o~r soldiers is to transport the ;,..hole
ar:ny to the l'nited States as quickly as possible·. Such transport
they consider pr.::lcticableand reasonably free fror:n danger. The
proposed mo\·e to the pl~lteau of Sa:n Luis they believe dangerous and impracticable. Veiy·respectlu!Iy. V. Ha\·ard, :\Iajor and
.Surgeon. F S . .-\... Chief Surgeon; H. S. Kilbourne, :\!ajor and
Surgeon. Chief~ Surgeon· .:!d Di\-i~ion, 5th Corps; · }l Wood, :
:\bjor and Chici Surgeon rst Division, 5th Corps;_ Frank ].
I ·:es. },fajor and Surgeon ·l·. S. 'i/., Chief Surgeon P:o\·isiooal
Di~·i3ior.: H. S. T. H.1rris. ~Iajor ani:f Surgeon. C. S: \"., Chiei
Surgeon Ca•:alry D1vision.'
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SHAFTER,
a
" Major-General."
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:~
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. :- ·.-:-·.•: ~- i: r!:d r;;1)re ~~1an
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pr•>:..;:-(.':':-i bo..::·.1 ._.-.:!: ·.:·.:: ·_· •. ·_._._: S'...l:cs a:-:d ~pain.
Th<Jst.: n~~·ltia:i•>r:s. !:a•.: · :~:: :::au;;:1ra~~d by Sp,{in
•m the 26th '-'i July. ::::-r:r..:~:: JL (a!!! bon, the ambassador of France. ar.c :-..a~ :-eac::ed ~heir most.ddicak
stage at- the un:e ·,,·he:: :::..: -- R _)~:nd R•)bin,'' 11·ith .1.!1
its su!Sgestions of pani ..: a::<:: c:5~~er. was made public
in the four corners oi ::~c ~:-:~. T::at a satisfactory
·agreement bet,,·een t~-= :·.,··:.. ;;-·-:·:ernments .11·as ·at last
r.eached cannot ~ c:-e-::::~ :•) ::-:.;se who precipitately'
ga\·e out inior'rr.atic·r: ·.;,·:-.: ..::: ::::gh:· ha\·e pre\·cnted
it. .\Ioreover, the . pc:2::..:a:..:•::: · ·Jf ·t:1:s oificial letter
was a gross breach oi a:::::: :-~'.l!ations and military
discipline; and throt.:;~ :~<! a~enc:: of it the enemy
secured informat:on :~a .
ou:- situai.ion when
the gover!'lment \\·as :::·~~: a.:::C:•Jt.:..s ~o conceal the facts
until the accepta::ce -:: :~':! cc=::a::cs of the .L"nited
States could be a5su:CO::.
The matter \\·a."- resa:-:::~ ~') scr:o•.t<·.- t!iitt. afr.er a
conference at the Whi:e ::·~r...:....'<!, :.~e follo\\'ing message
was sent:
..::::g
'·
i.
" \VHrT::: Hot·~-
•. .-_;_s~:::;-c:ro;o.; .•--b~ust
.
~. rS98.
"General Slza!te-r. San!:.c?'J.
" At this time, wh~n pea·.~·:..:; :a:k~ of. it .5eerus ;;trange that
yrm should give out y0ur ..::!.':::e ~~ by your general officers,
conccrninl.{ the .:onditi;m ·X ::·~·= a..-::1::. to ilie Associated Press
. , ..."ithout permission
from th~. War Dera:·.r::e::~. y·:r.; .;::c: ::ot ~·.-en await a reply to
your commumcauon.
·· R. A. ALGER.
" Secretary oi War."
/
�I. I ;
: ."
L
•.J
._
t.
. :'i.\S;":.\<;•1 ::lE: ('."3 ·
.... ·b~!L'.. l
1. :)•}~.
ilm: ;.: . . L Ai.:~r. :it!c'1'f!!t:ry •Ji :1·.u. T:_;,tn<t•;n.:u. C.
·:·:i~; r·:~,c~r·.' .v:1.' ~i·:·~!\ ·~'.:t. .\..; [ :-:3·.·:
~~:-:· . .: It:.~r~c..:·!. 1 1e~··'f•:
:r. ~'-'·•· ::-,.: :r..:. [ ~alkti t~.: .,:cn..:r;.;i >ifi..:c:r·. ·,..~-:t!:.:r;. t•\ :c:'l :ne::1
·~vh .. ,l [ prrJrJIJ.~...:1i ~tJ dcJ J.r.d t0 cxprc:-:.,:; :f, ~he:;: :ny v.,ic·.\~-~ .. l::c! ~ ... :..:
:i:-.:::1 ·.. , ~~·:..: m..: tht:tr:;. I t•>unJ ·o~•..: all :·..::t ,dik,· .. :-;.·me nr...:
t!t..::t ;x•,!J•I.'i<!d 'h..:y ·Hite ntl! a let:..:r. scttir.~ :.,r:h :h~:r ·::..:w;, ,J::J
r ,.,it[ •.hem [I)·!·· ~ll. .\[c;.;nwhile I WT0te m:; ·.del;{r~:n,: ar:d later
:t ·.,·:t.' it.u:t.id in ..1r.J f•.~r·.\·ar•led, w:t!1 the :er.:a .•Jt ::he ~~rseons
:t::d :he :..:t:..:r .,[ th~:oe •>di..:ers. It ·~:; rl'.:.t •.:r:til •0h:e time aiter
tha' [ !..:.:w-:~·1 their letter had been si \'en :r, :he p:re:;~. . rt was
.:t :··,nbh. :m;;.rt;p.!r thin~ to d0. ar:J [ resr·~t ·:e::; im\:..:h t!1at :,
1
ha ·;e been ver:: -:a ref u l ab<>ut :;: ·:inL; 't•Y :he
anv !r::'0rrnation, and I will comin:1e .to b.! ;0.
·
pre~.;
" \Y. R. SH ..l.F-r;ER,
· · .\Ia;or-General. ··.
t appears from General Shafte:-·s official declara1
tion. thereiore, that the text of the " Rodnd Robin ··
\\·as made known to the press agents before 'the docun:t"nt. it.:;elt' reached him. \Vhen the President read
the ··Round Robin" for the first time U;1 the newspapers he became very much excited and indignant.
Every possible effort was made to ascertain 1th,e·name of
the person responsible for its publication that he might
be called to a proper account for the act. ·qut; in vain.
To counteract the effect of the "Round Robin,,.
the foll•1Wing statement was given to the: press:
"W.~ DEP.~T:\fE~T.
I
:
".-\Djl"T ..\=-:-;T-GE~ERAL'S OFFICE: . .-l.ttgust ~.
1898.
" The Secretary of \Var has· ordered General Shaiter's troops
.
'
".That is, the "Round Robin.''
27£
�.
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···~·
...:..
·,
:-'!E~·:·:ri :·~··r::: ;;·::t.·r i:.;t·: ::1 ~<\:~~:.:..1s0 .13 :a~~ :t.; ·.::t:~3;:•,r·..:t:.··r.
.J.:: ··A: !"·!'·J·... ::.:,~ . .1::1i ~i':·.: ·.::tr..<·=i ·,,[·Spa:~::.;h ;:·r:.:r~:--.-::-~ ..... -:: 1'~~l~
.,[ :C!!u~:lrJn .,f :h~ ~-1rr: ..;c)n.
Th~:-:4.! ·.v:~l ~a:i :··;r ~-:~~,.,.
\'vik
J.:i
:· ....L.~t ..l.i
~ht:y <.:tn be .
..;r.:,mf(:·r~abi? em~ar!-:·.:!:.
·· T~.: ~est :.t~ :\[cmtauk P0irit ·.dl ()repare th..::;~ ;~::J..;uneJ •:•:0ps
f•Jr :h~ ::.l!r.;:a:..;-:1 ::1~::1inst Ha·:.:u:a, in ·.o;!-l~ch th.::: will pr0f:Ja!:>ly
take ;Jar~. ·: ~~ rir;t ·trJ.::.ip<,rc le:'t Santia~'l ::~st.:rda::. T~e
rr:•J':'e:ner.: is ·:X;J<!·~tcd '.'l ':Jc ·:or::plet~d ;.,y :he 20th •)i the 6or.th.
Fi·:~ l'::..::etl Sta:::3 '>I'Jlur::.:cr regi:n..::1t.s, immune:;, ha·;e been
onie~ · ti'J S..1_:1tias0 :'0r ?;arrison duty. The first has already
arr:·.-ed. the ·Jt!:.e:; :.tr~ ~ir:~ pt:5hed :•JrwJ.:d a3 rJ.;Jidly as ::a:-:3p<ir.a::·m c:t:: be : :.~r :-.:~h::r.i. ·'
As soon as the:! announcement was made that tne
"immune .. r~giments were to be sent to Santiago
many prot~sts were .received against such action. :'\o
att<!ntion, however. could be paid to these communi~
cat:ons. The following indicates ~heir general cha:-actcr:
:· :.L-\COX: GEORGi.-\, A:t~~tst
"General H. C. CoriJin, .-!.dj:ttant-Geiteral
ton. D. C.·
r.:.
s.
r8g.).
S. A., Wash:ng-
" It is' distinctlv ·understood throughout the •shole cour:try
that the .3d Regiment l'nited States Yolunteers, although ca[!cd
imm".lne.· are no more immune from yellow-[e\·er than any other -.olunteer :-esiment. It is composed almost e:tclusively of
c'e<Jri.ans. near!:; all o)i whom are very young men, and many
0i them min0rs. \\'hen enlisted, the gover:unent subjected t!-:em
to a rigid phy~i-:al exa~ination, but no proof wa.'> demnnded •Jr
des~ed as ~o their immunity fr0m yellow-fe\·er. To ::end the~e
y0ur_g men and boys to Santiago at U1is time. v."ith no enemy
fi.sht. is to expose them to the same deadly peril irom yellow·
fe\·er as is now said to confront those who. ha\·ing reaped the honors, are now demanding to be sent to a :\"orthern senside. If more
troops were now needed at Santiago, or if fightin'S were to be done,
then the order for this regiment would be approved by all. but
to
�•,
;
'..
. ...
·: < : :_· .\ J :< ·i
. .. ....
~
\:·:·
.. ~. ~ '. • • . :"
>.
-
·:
> . . :-a :-:-
I
3 : ~;. . ; :; ( f D C :; T
' ' I
~t:.J.r!:: .t:::Tlu;:t;!l ::1 . l~ :=:.t::.".
.\ "'lle:nn ;c:n:;e •lf m:: .[u::;
:;.l jl:: ::: :""!
·:: .. ·· .. •; ~·::::-.·:-;:-; -~ -r:-: ·::·: ·!.1::~·~~
·::t..:~c ~:-~·.~::..; :::~~ :~;--cls ·:nf!. :..!-:~:-"'!{ ~:--:, ~o req,..!est m:'J . t.:arn~st·
..;t
~·:·.
· :.;._~!.
...
~
,.. .. -
.. ;r,.!er :r:r :.:.:e:r remo\·:d t•J Santial;•l ~
: ·.:::·: ·.:::.; ·.o::b;Jut the ~":o·;,·!edg~ I)[ .Jny ·Jffic:er ·;r man
.:: .:-.ri ·;r ;·::-.<::
::-:..~: :!-.~
::1 ·:-.~·':-·::_;;:::~~·..
-~· '·"'- B.~Ct):O: .
.. l"r.iteJ
3t.lt<!~
Senator .. ,
I: ·.\.•)t:>.i "::>c ir.:;-:•:ssible ~·) -exaggerate the ;n:i.schiev'~-' :t:,•! ·,\-:..::-:t:."d e:T<:!-.::t.s •)f :::e .. R•)ur.d R•>hi:1. ". It
~t:·;::.~:d ~::e ,:o:_;:-t:::-:: ·.\":th a pla~ue of a:--.guish and
.:q;~~~e::e::-:.-;i-::1.
T:--,e::-e are !T'...ar~::rs in all wars. but
•)t these a::-e the· silent,: helpless,
·:o:-•:,h:e;. •)r.es ··.\·!:o stay a: i:ome to weep:ar.d pray·
wait-the mQt!-:er, the sister, wife, and sweetT 0 their natural suspense and suffering
:::e:5c t:Ju~!i.:a::•)r..S added the pangs of i'rnaginary
:c:-:'•)rS. T~ey nad er.du:-ed, through sympathy, the
:)a:::e-ndJ, d:e wast:ng r.a:-d.ships oi the camp. the
~.·ar!lpaign in the tropics, the fever-strick~n trench ..
Tr.t!y migh~ at l~st have bee:1 spared this wanton
t•;r:ure, this impalpable ;~nt! fvr:nless yet o\·erwhelrning blow.
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April 30 1998
AIICO ~101/'T"f' o-onvNI'T'9'
ASSISTANT MAJORI'TY WHIP
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1.40 21221
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.The Honorable William J. Clintori
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Washington, D.C. 20500
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I
.:Dear Mr. President:
I urge you to support the Congress's initicitive to secure the Medal of Honor for President
_ .
Theodore Roo'sevelt. Awarding the Medal of Honor during the centennial 'year of the Spanish
American War enjoys widespread support in both Congress and the nation, and would be"i'.fitlirig <:;: :_ ~
testimonial to the man who led the charges to capture the Santiago Heights on July 1, 1898.
is
Theodore Roosevelt is a one of our Qation's greatest heros and most deserving of this
honor. There is overwhelming documentation of President Roosevelt's valor including several·
letters from his fellow soldiers an:d several books v.rritten by noted historians.
'
!
.
'
.
Please give your support to this worthy effort by insisting that the Department of the
Army review the materials and consider this application in a timely fashion. President Roosevelt
should have received the Medal of Honor nearly one hundred years ago but Secretary of War
Russell Alger prevented that. Now is the right time to ~orrect this injustice.
.
'
(
'
'
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Very truly yours,·
~···
Robert L.
Ehrlic~~
Member of Congress
·,
;-
�ROBEfiT L. EHFILICH, JR.
DISTRICT OFFtctS.:
2o DISTRICT, M.ARYLAND
1407 YORK RoAD
Sun'"E 304
LUTHERVILLE, MD 21093
(410) 337-7222
3·:5 CANNON House OFFICE ButlDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
(202) 22:;...3061
COMMITIEES
q[ongress of
1998 ttA Y I I Ali II: 2 1
tf)e Wniteb ~tates
45 NORTH MAIN STREET
BEL AIR, MD 21014
!41 0) 838-2517
·, J!}ou~e of l\epre~entatibe~
BUDGET
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
SuBCOMMITTEE ON FtNANCLAI. INSTITUTII:)Ns
~a.sbington, j]BQC
GoveRNMENT Bun..04NG
7701 WISE AV'"ENU€
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DUNDALK, MD 21222
(410) 2SoH;828
20515-2002
AND CONSUMER CAE OtT .
. SuBCOMMITTEE ON HOUSING
AND COMMUNIT'Y OPPORTUNITY
ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP .
April 30, 1998
1011 OLD EASTERN Avt;NUE
Essex, MD 21221
(41 0) 78Q-3911
lAKE SHORE PROFESSIONAl. BLDG.
4231 PosTAL CouRT
SUITE 204
PASADENA, MD 21122
(410) 255-6983
The Honorable William Cohen
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000
Dear .Secretary Cohen: ·
I urge you to support the Congress's initiative to secure the Medal of Honor for President
Theodore Roosevelt. Awarding the Medal of Honor during th~ centennial year of the Spanish
American War enjoys widespread support in both Congress and the riation, and would be a fitting
testimonial to the man who led the charges to capture the Santiago Heights on July 1, 1898.
Theodore Roosevelt is a one of our nation's greatest herb's and is most deserving of this
honor. There is overwhelming documentation of President Roosevelt's valor including several .
letters from his fellow soldiers and several books written by noted historians.
Please give your support to this worthy effort by irisi$ting that the Department of the
Army review the materials and consider this application in a timely fashion. President Roosevelt
should have received the Medal of Honor nearly one hundred years ago but Secretary of War
Russell Alger prevented that. Now is the righttime to correct this injustice.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Very truly
you~s,.
~L~~L
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Member of Congress
~-
\
.!
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PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
/98
135
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BOB BARR
COMMITIEES:
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GEOAGI.A.
RAIJKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
CONGRESS OF THE
UNTT~n
C'"T'. - ·
GOVERNMENT
REFORM AND OVERSIGHT
1130 LONGWORTH HO•
WASHINGTON, D.C.
PHONE: 1202) 22S-2931
F.o:: 1202! 22S-2944
JUDICIARY
lntemet: http://www.house.;ov/barr/
May 7,
19~
The Honorable William J. Clinton .
President of the United States
The \V1Ute House
1600 Pennsylvania A venue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500-0005
IN RE: President Theodore Roosevelt
Dear Mr. President:
lam v.-Titing regarding President Theodore Roosevelt receiving the Congressional
Medal of Honor award.
·
· I am a cosponsor to H.R. 2263, which would authozjze the Presiden~ to award the
Congres.sional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions
in the attack of San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the· Spanish-American Wai on July.
1, 1898. ·This was an important part of American history and we·have now an
excellent opportu:nity to recognize one ofthe great leaders of this war.
As the centennial of Roosexelt's actions quickly approaches, I would respectfully
ask that you and Defense Secretary Cohen promptly reviev.~ this request. President
Rooseve!Cs family and admirers have waited far too long for this recognition and it'
would be a grave injustice for them to wait any longer.
With kind regaids, I am,
..
BB:mjh
cc: The Honorable William Cohen, Secretary of Defense
/3-b
----------------'-----DISTRICT OFFICES------------------CARROLlTON
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· May-18, 1998
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500-0005
•\
·Dear Mr. President:
(respectfully request that you support Congressm·an Rick Lazio's initiative to grant the Medal of
Honor to President Theodore Roosevelt. A true American hero, Mr. Roosevelt's honer, valorand spirit make him especially deserving of this tribute. .
July 1, 1998 \\ill mark the centennial anniver:;ary. of the capture of Santiago Heights during the
Spanish-American War. Through his heroic efforts as the leader of the Rough Riders, Lieutenant
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt played an integral part in securing this crucial U. S. victory in Cuba.
Awarding the Medal of Honor to Mr. Roosevelt would be a fitting tribute to his distinguished .
military career, as well as his distinctive pl~ce in American history. I would appreciate your
support in requesting that the Department of the Army expedite their consideration of
Congressman Lazio' application.
.
s
Ed Pa:>to:
Member of Congress ·
EP:mm·
PAL"< TEO ON AECVCLEC
PAP~
A
�DISTRICT OFFICES:
.v1cHALE
26 EAST T~tRO
~ 17 CANNON House OHICE BuiLDING
WASHIN~TON, DC 20515-3815
(2021 225--€41 1
.
STAEET
BET"""'"'· PA 1801"-1392
16101 86&-0916
.,.,,sTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA
~tat.cs
j!)ousc of Bcprcscntatibes
<Congress of tbe -mlniteb
COMMinEE.S:
NATIONAL SECURITY
Su•TE 203
HAMIL roN F11•.,AI\jc1AI.. re~TER
·
o~E. ce,..,. TE R sr:..JAPE
ALLE,.TOWN, PA 181C1-2192
16101439-8861
Mlas!Jington, i:.K 20513-3815
1603 lE1-4tG•• Sn~e.er
PA 180<2-3935
16101 258-8J83
EASTO~.
SCIENCE
168 MAtN Sn:aeer
18073-1398
12151541-0614
PEN'<SBUAC, PA
June 19, 1998
r'
The Honorable Robert Wall~er
Acting Secretary of the Army
U.S. Department of the Army
Room 3E700 The Pentagon
Washington DC. 20310 ·
· Dear Mike:
In light of our recent conversation concerning Colonel Roosevelt, I thought the
enclosed article would be of interest. ·
The author, John A. Gable, is the Executive Director of tn_e.Theodore Roose't'elt
Association. As I expressed in .our conversation, I am abs<>lutely convinced that
Theodore Roosevelt displayed unquestioned and extraordinary valor under fire sufficient
to justify the ~edal of Honor, when _judged by the applicable standard of his day, in
conformity of the original recommendation provided immediately after the battle by his
comnuinding officer, General Wood. ,
We're now approaching the tOOth anniversary of the battle (July 1, 1898) and it
is my hope that a timely .announcement might soon be forthcoming. We have the
opportunity to correct a century of injustice. ,I respectfully request your personal
intervention.
·
·
Best personal regards.
Sincerely,
~
1·7 ,
Paul McHale
Member of Congress
cc: Defense Secretary William Cohen
·Rep.· Rick Lazio
Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham
John A. Gable
(
Cosponsors of H.R. 2263 '
THIS MAILING WAS PREPARED."PUBLISf.!ED, AND MAILED AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE
�---,
---------.
.·-:: ..
'Rough Rider'
. Roosevelt's Quest
for the Medal of HonOJ·
BY JOHN A. GABLE
Theodore Roosevelt was the jirst Presideru co bei:ume .a VFH' mmcbe,r. He: ~·ig.•!c:d
up in Pittsburgh on july 26, 1917. A strong supporter of veterans righcs. he is
being reconsidered for the nation_'s highest award for valor.
~.
..
he Theodore Roosevelt
Association, a. historical
society and public service organization with members in
all SO states, and a bipartisan
coalition .in the U.S. House of Representatives, is charging up Capitol Hill. Their
goal: To gain the Medal of Honor (MOH)
for Theodore Roosevelt 100. years after
the 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill.
The movement to secure the MOH
(posthumously) for T.R. began as the nation prepared to observe the centennial of
the Spanish-American War. T.R., of
course, became a national hero after his
celebrated leadership of the famous
"Rough Riders" (lst U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment) on Cuba. Three years later,
he became the 26th President.
· Roosevelt's admirers are carrying on
the MOH fight on threefronts.
First, a bill to award T.R. the MOH,
H.R. 2263, has been introduced in the
House of Representatives by Rep. Paul
McHale (D-Pa.). It's co-sponsored by
some 150 members of the House who are,
according to McHale, "from both sides of
the aisle, representing a· wide range of
political backgrounds and ideologies."
· Second, Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) has
filed a formal and official application for
·T.R.'s medal with the Army. That investi"
gation is under way. Moreover, the association is mobilizing public support.
INSPIRING A GENERATION
Two T.R. biographers have endorsed these
efforts. Nathan Miller, author of Theodore
Roosevelt (1992), last October, wrote to
President Bill Clinton: "Eyewitness accounts of the battle make it clear that the
courageous aCtions of then Col. Roosevelt
I
... .
.. . ... . . '. .
..........
Theodore Roosevelt in Pittsburgh, July 26. 19/7-thtt day he joined
tht? VFW in the William Penn Hate/.
at Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill were instrumental in the American victory which
followed. Historians areinagreement that
he was denied the Medal of Honor at the
time only for political reasons."
Ed.mund Morris, who won the Pulitzer
Prize for writing The Rise of Theodore
Roosevelt ( 1979 ), agreed: "I he,reby endorse, without reservation, your effort to
win former Col. Roosevelt a posthumous
, Medal of Honor in recognition of his extraordinary bravery at the Battle of San
Juan Heights on July l, 1898. He led a
charge against almost insuperable tactical
od~ [foot soldiers storming a high re- ·
doubt] and not only succeeded·ir:.
lodging the enemy. bur inspired a w
generation of American youth wit~.
example."
VOICE OF THE TROOPS
After the Spanish surrender in Au·.
T,R. Jngero::d Secret.lry of \Var Russ ..
Alger by sending hiin J tdegram '·
letter strongly ur~ing that U.S. troc,
who were ravago::d by tropical diseJ~
be immediJtelv returned home. (T.F.
contracted ma.luia, which rema.irieJ
him the rest of his life. l
�~--------------------------~-~~~--~--~~--------~------------------------------------------------------------,
h.:;.~rt JttJ~:k
Roo••velt' • MOH
::::) c~..,.,t'9~ ho..., --~ lA
,
...
. ,•
G.:n. WilliJm IC ':lhJr'tc:r. th.:n ~om·
m~nJing 3..:n.:rJl•m \:ub.t. l.::.~k.:.J th.:sc.:
m.:~s.l~.:-; t•1 'tho:: pr..:''· :nr'uri.wn::; both
..\li::.:r .1nJ flr.:,td..-!H .,,;;u •. tm ;...kl-:tn!.::..
)'
.\l~.:r w.t, -ulhc:quc:nd·t tc1r~.:J :o rc:'t~n
c·r<H!l ~h..: • ..Ji>tn..:t trtc:r .an tnv.:sct~.tttn·;
.:ummt,~IIJII ·:~iJ'"..:J ht, tn..:umpt:tc:n..:;: H
tho:: '.V.1r Dc:~'.Jr:mc:nc.
·
:"'onc::hc:l.:''· \lgc:r prc:vc:nc.:J .lWJrd ur·
chc: .\IOH co Ru<lic:'tdt c:v.:n though G.:n ..
'Fi5hcang fo.:" Wh.:dc:r h.1d rc:..:omrr.c:nJ.:J him tor chc: ;nc:J.Jl.
T. R. -;c:.~vc:d do-;.: co his men until th.:
d..tv he: Jic:d. Sust..tinin~ th.: highest ..:J~U·
.1lcy rate: of .1ny unic on Cuba ..:c:mc:ncc:d
that camaraderie:. He: regularly attended
Rough Rider n:unioru, and 40 vets provided an honor guard for his carriage on
Inauguration Day, M~rch 5, 1905.
If the current movement is successful.
T.R. would be the: first and only President
awarded the Medal of Honor. He also
would be the only recipient of the Nobel
Peace Prize co receive the MOH.
Incidentally. his eldest son, Brig. Gen.
Theodore Roo~velt, fr.• was awarded the
:-.tOH posthumously for his service at
Sormandy on D- Day, 1944. He died of a
---------
shurtly Jtt.:r tho:: inv~~ion. ·
Tho:: only oth.:r fath.:r JnJ -;on to re..:.:tv.: the: ~IOH w.:r.: G.:n. Arthur
.\IJ..:.\rthur JnJ hts
Dou~l ..l'i. whu
wJ., J 'militJrv"'i,[u.Jr·: Dc:J!" .JtJ to f.R. tn
th..: 'Shtt..: H.,u,c:.
mn.
regrc:ttc:d his '\;ruwdc:d hour'' -"when the
wolf rises in the hc:art." A.J he latdr told
fri.:nJ,'~It was mv one chance to do somethin~ for mv ..:u~ncry.''
rolf r'unh.:r int'ormation . ..:ontact:
r:,, .• ,,f,,.: R,;u,.·vdc .J.;s,Kiuciun. PO. Box
-t·J. f)'/<C.:r !3<~:·. .\'Y I/.-;'/.
0
a
'SQUARE DEAL' FOR VETS
Hi, ,upp01rt r·ur v.:rc:rJn,-··..:hdJrc:n ·Jr' JOHN A. GABLE :ws U0:0:/1 e':c,:natvo: Jiro:cror
the: dragon\ blwiJ" h.: ~JI!.:d thc:m-wa, · vt' TR.-\ ;tm'<' I <J.-~. H.: is <.~&a •tn •tdjtm~-r proun~qutvo..:al. As PresiJc:nc. he: uriil.lc.:rallv
l~:;;o.Jr vf L".i. h:scor_v "' H4scm L'mvc:rsir;.
in..:reas.:d pensions fur L'nion .~rmy vc:cerJns. \~'h.:n ''bamboo" ve.ts or' ch.: Philipptnc:s wc:r.: ic:t upun. T.R. immc:di..ttdy
..:arne: co th.:ir d.:fensc:. ~!Jny of those:
~am.: mc:n were J..:tive in thc: VF\V.
T.R.'s famous "Square D.:al" do,trinc:· aaK. MIC!'lar::l t& iheodore Roosevelt). The Rough
was J'tually tirst enunciated in referen'e . Riaers. Dallas: Taylor Publishing. 1997.
to veterans who were members of minor· Brands. H.W. TR.: The Lase Romamic.. N.Y.:
BasicBooks. 1997.
ity groups. Speaking to American Indians
Heatley. JeH. Bully'--Colonel Theodore Rooseat the Grand Canyon on May 6, 1.903, and
velc. che Rough Riders and Camp Wikoff. ..
later to black soldiers on guard at
.'vloncauk Paine. N.Y.. 1898. Mantoux HistoriLincoln's Tomb in Springfield, Ill., on
cal Society. 1998.
June 4, President Roo~elt proclaimed: Jeffers. H. Paul. Colonel Roosevelt Theodore
..A man who is good enough to shed his
Roosevelr Goes co War. 1897-1858. N.Y.:.
blood for the country is good enough to
John Wiley & Sons. 1996.
be given a square deal afterward."
. Jones. Virgil C Roosevelc's Rough Riders.
..
· Garden City. NY: Doubleday, 1971.
Perhaps it's time.T.R. got a square deal
with regard to the Medal of Honor. No
matter what, this great American never
..... -· ... .,...
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·· June 22, 1998
The Honorable WUliarn J. Clinton ·
President ofthe United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
i
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to strongly urge you to award President Theodore Roosevelt the
Congressional Medal ofHonor on July 1, 1998, the centennial ofhis conspicuous valor and
gallantry. in Santiago, Cuba.
·
Several other American heroes of the War with Spain have received their just recognition
for their gallantry including several "Buffalo. Soldiers" who, along with Roosevelt's Rough Riders,
bravely charged the hills around Santiago nearly one hundred years a.go. Despite the
recommendations of both commanding and subordinate officers, Roosevelt was unJustly denied
the Medal of Honor.
·
Now is the time to correct that injustice and award Roosevelt the Medai of Honor. My
September 1997 application for President Roosevelt gives you th~ appropriate legal mechanism
for awardirig him the Medal of Honor. I sincerely hope that you will give every consideration to
making this award on July 1.· ·
.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. If you have any questions or if I
may be of any assistan~. pl~ do not hesita:e to contact me.
'
. With best regards,
RL:kt
'-
,~,
�COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
ROBERT J. GAFFNEY
SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE
. MICHAEL R. FRANK
DEPARTMENT OF
PARK~,
RECREATION AND CONSERVATION
COMMISSIONER
AUG 1 4
August 7, 1998
.\
IOoo
:._, ....,:)
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President ofthe United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500·.
\
Dear Mr. President:
1998 marks the Centennial ofthe Spanish Arriericah War and the triumph of Theodore Roosevelt
and his beloved Rough Riders. Suffolk County has· been commemorating the Centennial
throughout the year. The culminating event will be a reunion of. Spanish-American War
descendants and historic reenactment of Camp Wikoff in Montauk from September 18 to the 20,
1998 as this was very close to the date that Colonel Roosevelt and. his Rough Riders were
mustered out of the Camp.·
0
.
Camp Wikoff was the quarantine camp set up to receive the more than ,25,000 soldiers from
Cu}Ja. Colonel Roosevelt was instrumental in the creation of Camp Wikoff. Many of the
soldiers in. Cuba were suffering from tropical diseases after the fighting ceased. The War
I
.
Department wanted to keep them ·in Cuba so that they would not bring those diseases to the
United States. Coionel Roosevelt was sickened watching the men suffer in Cuba. General
Shafter gathered the officers in charge to strategize as to how to deal with the situation. Since
he was not a career officer and would presumably not suffer the consequences of the War
Department, it was suggested that Colonel Roosevelt hold a press conference.· Instead Roosevelt
penned what has come to be known as the ':Round Robin letter, signed by all the officers to
Secretary Alger. The press got a copy and it appeared in the newspapers before getting to
Secretary Alger. Needless to say, he was quite angry. Many feel that for this reason Colonel
..
Roosevelt was denied the Medal of Honor.
Colonel Roosevelt, for his bravery and leadership at the battle of Kettle Hill. and the San Juan
Heights, was nominated for the Medal of Honor by Colonel Leonard Wood and endorsed by
General Joseph "Fightin Joe" Wheeler, General William Shafter, General Samuel Sumner as
well as several other officers .. According to Brigadier General Henry V. Boynton, "voluminous
papers were submitted to the Army Board of Breyets and Medal of Honor by his
officers and immediate associates."
J.
SUFFOLK
COUNTY
PARKS
MONTAUK HIGHWAY•· P.O. BOX 144
WEST SAYVILLE, NEW YORK 1 1796·0 144
(S 16) 854·4949 FAX: (516) 854·4977
�President William J. Clinton
August 7, 1998
Page Two
A final chapter could be written in the .life of Theodore Roose~elt with the p6sthuh10us award of
the Medal of Honor. This award can be legally based upon Representative Rick Lazio's
September 1997, application to the Department of the Army. It was a deep regret that haunted
.
. him for the remainder of his' life.
It would be fitting to present the medal to Roosevelt'.s descendants at the site of Camp Wikoff in
Montauk, the ~ite of his triumphal return from.Cuba. Roosevelt said of'Montauk, ''I'll mis~ this
place when it's all over." ·As Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt was greatly responsible
for the preparations for the· victories in Santiago Harbor as well as Dewey's victory in Manila.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt would be a wonderful stage forthe medal ceremony.
Enclosure
�.·
.
--
S!UNICN W!!KltND
_
S!PT%M~!li !S - ZC, lSSS•·. 10:00-7:00J>M
Friday 9/18
Spanish~Americ:m War Exhibit Open
Gift Shop Open
East 1-Ianipton 350th Committee Lecture Series
Jeff Heatley to speak about his book Dully! Colonel RooseJ•elt
and the Rough Riders Camp Wikoff 1898 a't Montauk School
'.
Suffoll\: County
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders
- Saturday 9/19
Self-guided walking tours of Camp Wikoff sites
-
10:00-5:00 I'M
.
Reenactment, Spanish-American War Exhibit and Pharoah
Museum open; Gift Shop open
11:00 &
1:00 11 M
Oyster 13ay Community 13and - Montauk Green
ll:30AM
Arrival of McKinley via the LIRR
Parade - downtown Montauk
1:30PM
Reenactment of presenta'tion of 13ronco 13uster to Roosevelt
by the Rough Riders, Theodore Roosevelt County Park
3:00PM
Vintage 13aseball Game, Lions Field, Montauk
Victorian Dance Group, Third House
·
Concert of period nius.ic featuring the Gramercy 13rass 13and
with special commentary by Colonel Roosevelt
Sunday 9/20
Reenactment at Theodore Roosevelt County Park
Self-guided walking tours
Spanish~ American War Exhibit & Pharaoh Museum open
.COM! ~! A PAnT OF THIS
HISTClllC C!L!~lUTICN
Gift Shop open
Memorial Dedication & Service at third House
12-2:00 PM
i.-:.
-.I::.
-t
\:
Musical entertainment
Book signing Dully! Colonel Roosevelt & Camp Wikoff 1898
by Jeff Heatley, Third House
Robert J. Ga~fney
County Executive
•
S U f f 0 L I(
COUNTY
PARI<S
Michael R. Frank
Commissioner
�. srANlSH·AM!
AN WAl-i !XHltllT
Third House - Theodore Roosevelt County Park
A curated exhibit of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia
from the Spanish-American War and Camp Wikoff.
········•···••····················
CAMP WIKOFF
Now·Open to the Public
Hours: Wednesday- Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00p.m.
· l-iOUCH· lllD!l:i DAYS
Deep Hollow Ranch, Montauk
September 5 ..... 7, 1998
~::t~!1:iif~;)~~~~-'.,_,..,
•·-". . :-.,·.>~<-·. •I .:rt ~!.>t.• . -,.,.,_, .;.Vlllll
f.. ..
··-·.·
llCUCH !llD!liS ~A!iS!CU!
. & THEATRICAL SHOW
Deep Hollow Ranc1J, Montauk · ·
July 3 - August 30
• Re-creation of Camp Wikoff
· • Wild West Specialty Acts
• Historical Demonstrations
• Brass Band
Call668-2744 for more information
__.
-I::
~-
(Friday- Sun~·ay 5:30- 8:30p.m.)
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
Call (516) 668-2744 for tickets and information ..
Cost: $35 adults; $16 children
ron MC11! lN!OliMATlCN ASOUT Tl-t!S! ltV!NTS, CALL (SlS) SS4·4SSS
OU!i Ol!T SHOr LOCATED IN TH!SD HOUS!,· TH!O~OSE. SOCS!V!LT COUNTY PA!iK
�DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE, CHIEF OF LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SUMMARY
SUBJECT: Theodore Roosevelt Medal of Honor
DATEffiME: 28 September 1998, 1400- 1555 hours
COMMITTEE: House Natiomil Security Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel ..
WITNESSES:
Panel 1: Congressman McHale (D-PA); Congressman Lazi() CR-NY).
Panel 2: Mr. John Gable, Executive Director, Theodore Roosevelt Association; Mr..
Nathan Miller, Historian; Mr. Tweed Roosevelt, Great-Grandson of Theodore
Roosevelt
'
MEMBERS PRESENT
(MAJORITY): Congressman Buyer (R-IN)
(MINORITY): Congressman Pickett (D- VA); Congressman McHale (D-PA)
'
'
NONCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: Congressman Lazio (R-NY)
Prepared by:' LTC Brockington, 697-2106
DISTRIBUTION:
SASA
SAUS
DUSA
DUSA-OR
SAFM
SAFM-BUL
SAIL&E
SAIL&E(I&H)
SAMR
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SARD-CC
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'•
SAPA
SAIS-PPG.
DACS-ZA
DACS-ZB
DACS-ZD
DACS-DP
TABS
DACS-CAD
DACS-USASDC
DACS-POLAD
DACS STAFF GROUP
DAPE-ZXP.
DCSINT-ZXS
DAMO-ZR
DALO-RMZ-C
DASG-RMB
DACH-ZX
DAIG-ZX
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SAAG-ZX,
. DAAR-ZX
DAEN-ZCZ
NGB-ARC
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TRADOC-LNO
EUSA LNO
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USSOUTHCOM LNO
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SAFLL
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�This summary has been neither. coordinated nor cleared by the witnesses or the Co~mittee.
It represents the ~ecollectioli of. the. author and 'may not be fully consist~nt with the
transcript. It is publis~ed in this forin to provide timely. information to the Army's
leadership;
Congressional Heari11g Summary
, Subject': Theodor~ Roosevelt Medal of Honor
Background: The purpose of the hearing ~as to receive testimony on the merits of awarding the
Medal of Honor (MOH) to Theodore Roosevelt (TR) for his actions. on I July I898 during the
Spanish-American War.
Summary of testimony:
\
Opening: Congressman B'uyer indicat~d that he was di~:appointed and frustrated with the Army's
decision-making process on the TR.MOH. He stated that it appeared to hirri.that the MOH was
justified inTR's case and emphasized three poirits: (I) TR's actions were consistent with those
of others who received the MOH during the Spanish-American War, (2) during his actions on I
July 1898, TR voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire; and (3) TR's actions on I )uly were
conspicuous and. set him apart from the actions of other officers and s.oldiers on that day.
Panel I:
\
Congressman McHale -Issue in Congressman McHale's mind is whether TR displayed the
heroism necessary for award of the MOH. Mr. McHale clearly feels that he did and read several
recommendations and eyewitness accounts ofTR's.actions on 1 July. Mr. McHale criticized the
Ariny for:
·
·
·
Not appreciating the heroism and leadership displayed by TR on 1 July I8.98..
.
Dragging its feet on reconsideration ofTR's MOH; Mr. McHale compared the Army's'
current reconsideration of the TR MOH to,.Secn:tary of War Alger;s original refusal to act on.
the award (Mr. Buyer agreedjokingthat the Army must still have Alger's original letter on.
file).
·
~
·
·
Changing its position on the TR MOH; Mr. McHale stated that Mr. Walker had originally
indicated that he was inclined to disapprove the Board's recomme'ndation and approve the .
. award and Mr~ Caldera had now decided to disapprove the award; Mr. McHale d.id stress that.
he'wasn't personally criticizing Mr. Caldera and that Mr. Caldera had been very accessible
· on the issue.
' ·
·
·
Not keeping Congress informed about the TR MOH ·reconsideration process thus preventing
Congress and other interested inqividuals.from providing additional eviqence supporting the
award.
.
.
.
·.
.
. ·.
In response to a quest.ion from Mr. Buyer, Mr. McHale indicated that there was clearly a bias
again?t the Voluntee·rs (versus the Regular Army) at the time of the Spanish-American War.
Congressman Lazio - Stated that TR MOH award process was tainted in I 898 and that the taint ·
continues. Indicated that he couldn't understand whyhistorians and Congress \v·eren't allowed to
2
l/ 7
�provide additional submissions to the DA Board that reconsidered TR's MOH. Stressea that
TR's heroism compared favorably with that of other.MOH'winners of the time and that the facts
strongly supported the award.
Panel2:
Mr. Gable- Emphasized ·support from veterans' associations and the general public for award of
the MOH to TR. Related a number of facts that, in his mind, justified award:
- TR' s actions on I July were conspicuous and different from that of other. officers present;·
first, he led two charges-one up Kettle Hill'and one up the San Juan Heights; and second, ·
he was the only officer to lead a charge on horseback (thus intentionally exposing himself to
hostile fire).
·
·
Clear pattern of discrimination existed .at that time against TR and his Rough Riders.
TR was wounded (nicked). that day.
Prior to his death, Mr. Langden, last surviving member of Rough Riders, persqnally attested
to TR's heroism to Mr. Gable (Mr: Langden even related that he witnessed TR's glasses
being shot off by friendly fire).
·
Mr. Miller- Read historical account ofTR's actions on 1 July 1898 that, in his mind, clearly
justified award of the MOHto TR.
Mr. Roosevelt- Stressed that ca~ualty rate (-20%) of Rough Riders on I July was higher than·
that of any other unit. Mentioned accounts offoreign observers who were in disbelief at the
manner in whiCh TR and his troops charged (really crept) up Kettle Hill and the' San Juan
Heights. Related TR's impact on his family and his family's storied military history.
Responses to Questions from Mr. Buyer- Panel stated that Alger was biased against TR because,'
.of the letters he signed/wrote attempting to get his troops (who were dying from disease) out of
Cuba after the fighting. Panel agreed that TR's intent in mounting his 'horse was clearly to make
. himself conspicuous and thus to inspire his men. ·Panel also agreed thatmore weight should be·
given to recommendations from former MOH winners·(Wood and Shafter, both of whom
recommended TR for the MOH, were MOH winners themselves) .
. Closing: The heal-ing closed with Mr. Buyer stating that he was b~wildered by the DA Board's
conclusion that TR's vaJor did not rise to a level above that of his contemporaries and stressing
that he gave great weight to the fact that two of the general's who recommended the MOH for
TR were·MOH winners them~elves· (and thus· in th~·best position to apply the "standards of the
day"). : .
·
·
.
.
There was limited print and no TV press coverage.
3
�Fax:703-614-5493
DAF'E -Z><
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foe .
'
.14:17
·. P. 02
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' .......... <:l.!'--0, O~CROIA
COMMITIE::
liS.~~C...,No...ii. S":J.n ~~ECl'QA
\
'
ON' ARMED SERVICES
WASHINGTON, OC-20510-6050
o.o.voo .s. ~l't.£5. s-r.,~ a••e-:ro" FCI'. n.e ....,..o~rrv
__.-·
October 20; 1998
·
1 •
·, t .
The President
The 'White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear !v1r. President
.·
.
We want to share. o~ viei~s with you on H.R. 2263, a bill that authorizes
·.and requests you to award the Medal- of Honor posthumously to Thea,dore
Roose,velt for his actions.in the attack on san·Juan Heights, Cuba.during th~·
Spa.D.ish American War..
.
"
\
We supporced
". ..
.
.
.
a)
'
'
'
Ws ·legislation :V'.rith the- intent and unsferstanding that:
'
..
.
prior to reaching a deci~ion on awardirig, the Medal of Honor posthumously to. Theodore Roosevelt pursuant to this
legislation, you \Yill seek the advice of
Secretary of the
the
A-v·
·~.ill../'
.,
b)
Theodore Roosevelt \ViU be copsidered for eligibility for the
!Yfedal of HonQr based on .the, same standard of merit that was
applied to ather members of the aimed forces who receivedthis medal during the Spanis~ .Ar!1;erK:an. ·,War; and: · . ·
c)
.~ll prepare a full a:nd formal
the_.Secretary of the
_record cif Theodore Roosevelt's :valor, in"Yiting public
submissions~ ·\vith emphasis on. the eyewitness and
" '\
contemporane,ous ··acco~ts of Roosevelt's battlefield courage .
. (
Army_
..
'
.
�Fax:703-614-5493
D8F'E:-ZX
Oct 21 '98
14:17
P.03
.,
The President
Page 2
October 20 1998
7
· If an injustice was done to.;Theodcire Roosevelt in Vrithb.olding the Medal
of Honor, we believe it ·should be; corrected.
Sincerely,
c0JL'·
~-on_d_.·_________
Carl Le-vin
Ranking Nfinority Member
Committee on Armed Serv-ices
. United St~tes S'enate
·<!JI
ijjUL-·.
..
{/ i.
·{
'--'
Chairman
..
Coi:nmittee on .Armed Services
.
United. States Senate
.
Ike Skelton
Ranking ?v.fuiority Member
Committee on National Security
U,nited States House of Representatives.
1?
e
n, J.l,
~~~.~.j
~~.·.·.·
Chairman
Committee on National Security
United States House of Representatives
(c..
Paul iVIcHale ·
1v1ember
· Com.r:.nittee on National Security
United States1 House of Representatives ·
I .
. cc: Tee Ho~orable Louis Caldera Secretary· o'f the &-my
1
.
�Fax :703-614-5493 .
DAF'E -Z/
STATEMENT BY SENATOR STROM THURMOND ON THE FLOOR
OF THE SENATE CONCERNiNCi H.R. 2263, A BILL TO AUTH.ORIZE
THE PRESIDENT TO AWARp··THE:MEDAL OF HONOR TO .
THEODORE ROOSE.VELT FO.R ACTIONS IN THE ATTACK ON SAN
. JUAN HEJ.CHTS IN:CUBA DURIN·Ci· THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR,
OCTOBER 20, 1998.
Mr. Presideti~t~
as the senate·:consjders H.R. 2263, a
bill to autho.rize the President-to award the Medal of
)
Honor to Theodore
Roo~ev.el·t<for
his
~ctions
on san Juan·
Heights. i·n! cuba 'd:urin,g the s·panish-Amerlcan war, I want ·
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to clarify what.we are :d·ofng .. This·bHLdoes not award
the Medal of Honor to Tf1eodore Roosevelt. ··It does
.
authorlz·e the President:toa;ward the Medal of Honor to
. th-en Colonel: Roosevelt..
Colonel. R·oosevelt' -s action.s on san Juan Heights·
-
.
...
...
====={
. .
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; may wen merit=the awa~d o,f tne___Medal of Honor~
:a:wd:::.
1 t..
ti!il':!f.'ff!t!!£!-!!Zit... :=:u-e:::::::c::::::~
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However, in ord:er to make such· a-determination, one (
'
'
must carefuHy review tne
.
hlstoiicai record, including any·
.
.
eyewitness accounts. that m·~y be· avaHat>ie, and evaluate
. the recordi against the criteria
for award of
the Medal of
Honor that was applied to other members of· the armed
. lSI
�DRPE -Z><
..
Fax:703-614~5493
Oct 21 '98
14:18
' P.OS
!
forces who were recommended for the Medal of Honor
during the Spanish~Ametican·War. In my.opit:Jion, this is
. a ~task that can only b:e performed by the mUitary
services ..
In fact, In, th·~ N~tional Defense Authorization Act .
for. Fiscal Year 1996, we· est~bJished a procedure ln Which
.
~he military
. .
'
.
.
'
services wo&;.Jd·evar·ua~te recommendations
for awards .for p~st actiqns an'd ·notify the c.ommitte·e on
Armed s·ervi·ces. of those· found to be .meritorious. Each
year, in the National De.fense Autho'riz.ation Act, we
.
.
.
waive the ti'me· limits for,those a:wards :recommended by
.
..
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:
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'•.
the. secretaries of t.heMillta:ry Departments· so that the
;
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award may:be made .. '
Mr. President,.
sen~tor Levin.:and'
myself, as wen as
congressmen spe·n.ce', s-kertQn:a:n_t:t!_M:cHafe have· agreed to
- -·
':'-.
...
and sig,ne'd a: retter to ..the President .regarding this i·ssue.
· This letter mak~s it clear that·we believe the ·President
,l
I
.
should con:sult with the·secretary o.f the .Army, who is
2
f5~
�Fax:703-614-5~93
. DAPE-ZX
.
Oct 21 ' 98
I
14. : 19
P.06
I
I
reviewing the accounts c;>f Colonel Roo~sevelt's actions,
, before decidiri9 to award the~Medal Of Honor to
\
.
'
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Theodore Roosevelt.· 1aslcuri:animous consent that this
rett~r be·made a part of *he record following my
remarks. ·
Mr. Presiden·t, this<bifJ should not be seen as a
precedent for congressional~ decisi:ons on military
awards.'
· ---
our legfslation 'rn 1996 established a ,Srocedur~
designed to ensure that -heroic and meritorious actions
dO not go unrecognized SOiely.due to .the passage Of
time. However, the procedure also· Jlreserves the
integrity of the military award-system· which is
(
important to our military· services and the· American .
people.
Mr. Presi:dent, in closf.n~·, r ~~~~~-to commend
Congressman McHale for his:determJ:ned efforts in
.
'
bringing this· mat~er to our_ attention. It is m.y fervent
hope that Colonel Roosevelt's actions· will be
( 3
�DAPE-ZX
Oct 21 '98
Fax:703-614-5493
14:19
P.07 .
appropriately recognize~. while preserving the time
.
.
·honored processes and traditions within our· military
.
)
.
services for awarding oqr-Nation's·most hallowed award
>
for valor:, the.M_edal of Honor.
Th_arik ·you,. Mr.· President.
- ..
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I
15¥.
�.---------------------------------------------------
DAPE-ZX
Fax:?03-614-5493
Oct 21 '98
15 =14
P.02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------"r.'e:d, o::.tober 21. 1993 3 :3ipr.\ (EDT)
Repor~ for the lOSth Congress
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGI-S~TE
BILL TEXT Reporc for H.R.J263
.
As passed by the House (Engross.ed}
-------~----~----------------.------------------------------~----------~---------
H.R.2~53
by the Houoe (Engrossed)
As passed
lOSth CONGRESS
2d Session
H.
R.
2263
JoN ACT
To authorize and re'lllest ~he· Preaident. to a.,..ard the COllgreasional Medal o~
Honor posthumously to .Theodore Roosevelt· for his galla..-.t ·and heroic
actions, in t!le attack on San Juan !!eights, cu.ba, dur.ing the Spani::;h. America..'l War.
==============================
Bo it enacted by tl::e Senate and House of Rep!·esencat:ives of the Unit:ed
Stat.e3 of Arr.::::ica .in Congress· assembled, l'hat: ·the President is aut:hori::ed and
reque:et:e:d t:o award t:he t:on;:reasicr.."-1 Medal of Honor poet.humously to Theodore:
Roosevelt:, ol! the Seate of New York, !or.hia act:ions in the at:t:acl< o:: San
.::'uar... .Ke:ight:s, Cuba, during the Spaniah-Arnerican ;.jar on J'uly l, :l.S98. Such an
a·,.,.ard n:ay be made 'Wichou~ regard. to the provisions of section 3 744. o: tit:le:
lO, Unit~d States Code, and ~ay.be made in accordance with award criteria
applicable at the time of· the actions referred to in the first sentence.
Passed the House of Representatives October 8, 1996.
AtteSt::
Clerk.
/
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�STATE OFFICES:
JOHN BREAUX
LOUIS!ANA
s..,,,! 2-:30
B.ro' R"'c' LA 708<5
12251 382-2050
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MII\:OAITY
CHIEF DE?U_TY ;•iHIP
'Bnitcd ~_tatcs ~c_n.atc
COMM:TTEES:
705
l.AH'I'i~
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-1803
OMMERCE. SCIENCE. AND
TRANSP_ORTAT,ION
.
211 No,.~ ... Jao Sr•ur Ro.,:. ... 1':2A
Mc· .. llc-£ LA 71201
13181 325-3320
SPECIAL COMMITIEE ON AGING
w.s .. ,-.c·: .. Ou·c£
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TDO 1202i 224-1386
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LA 70501
13181 262-6871
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FINA,.CE
12021 224--1623
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senat'or@brea~..:.:r.senate.gov
October 28,. 1998
h t t p:;/w.H'II\'. se r.a 1e. gOV-'- b·r e au x
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M~oc..,.._· .. E s· .. ur Svr!'l 1:.(:15
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I have been contacted by Mr. Hiram H. Cooke regarding his·
concerns with awarding the Medal of Honor to late President Theodore
Roosevelt.
/Please investigate the enclosed information se.rit to me and provide
me with·a report, within federal guidelines, responding to hisconcerns.
Your reply nuy be forwarded to the attention of Phil Thevenet.
Sincerely,
..
. ....0
-·,
you for your attention and assistance.
·.
q
.'
Dear General Boyd:
JB/pmt
Enclosure·
--.
.,
Maj. Gen .. Morris J. Boyd
Chief of Legislative Liaison
U.S. Department of the Army
The Pentagon, Room 2C631
Was~ington, DC 20310-1600
~ank
-....
.(
�13 OCTOBER 1998
Good t-1o rn i ng,
The enclosed Newspaper articles are self explanatory. As a retired
Mjlitary Veteran and a resid~.1t of the Sta.te of Louisiana I
respectfully ask that you do all within your power to stop and
prevent thii despicable desecra~iori of this nations highest award
that can be besto ....·ed upon .~"Tier~ -:a· s servicemen and se,rvicewomen.
J~ o u i s i8. n a c u r r en t l y has t .,.,. e n t y f o u r ( 2 4 ) o f i t s sons , both B l a c k
and White on the Official Meda1 of Honor rolls. Five of these men
paid the ultimate price for thei~ being recommended and awarded the·
Medal of Honor. Between these t~enty four men they represent every
branch of this Country's Milit~r~. Now to allow this honor to be
aha.rded to an indi·v;idual who in .::;o way has met the crit0ria for the
awa.rd of this medal other than :he fact that he always y~arned t6
have this award hOUld b() an ir.; JJt and disgrace to the memory of
thr)se servicemen fro;;; this st;:."-e who not· only made the supreme
sacrifice, but also shed th=ir :dood and loss of limbs in defe:1sc
of this Country and fDr their ~~llow comrades in arffis.
'
I slricerely hope that you ·,..·i l _. give this rr.atter your immediate
attention and help pre.vent t;:: flagrant abuse of this Natior.s
highest Military Award for ~ho~~ wh·o truly descn.-e this honor. for
their sacrifice and contrib~tic~ iri fighting for this country.
Sincerely,
/~~_J-L-Riram H.
Cooke
·
IE7
�~~--:~··•alf•Wu~f!~.J
Applications for ll~~ lo ·
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Army urged to honor
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1eddy Rooseve\t ·
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"ll, tlUI. l "'" u•J
ScholarshiP, Fund will
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good luck. And so when-li
be ocooptcd until Kpnl 1999, ond " ' _lud• who, th•ough no [null ol_
awards will be announced (rom 8
own,· have been
to·
·lottery April17. _
~msfortune, whether ~rowing UP\
"Most children are good slu- m a war zone In Bosma or home-• .
on the streets of South N-:
donls, but they need to be t.aur:ht ..:
by good toad"" in n good, .. r. ·'· non; o• to .vomly and n donO
WASHINGTON- Saying It Is long overenvironment," said Blassingame, . end educat1on here at home, 1l
due, Republicans and Democrats
45, who used the scholnrshipn to · . hns always struck me as very un·
urged the Army on Monday to grant
. send two of her grandchildren, 6 · fair." _ ·
.
.
Jheodore Roosevelt hn award he had
and 13, to a parochial schooi in
Forstmann said he is pleased
alw.1ys craved: the Medal of Honor for · her W ashinglon, D.C., neighbor- . thnt for the programs in the New
his heroism as leade:· of the Rough ·
hood this fall. "And now they are Orleans area· and Baton Rouge,
Riders In the SpanlsL·Ameirlcan War.
going to get nn excellent educa- that Gov. Fost.er and Sen. John
·Hu has waited long .mou&h for tho
lion .and that's what all of us'. Breaux, D-La., have agreed lo
want for our children."
serve ns honorn~y chairmen.
rec.ognltion he deserved," said Rep.
. In June, Ted Forstinann, a
Breaux said he would encour·
Rick Lazlo, R-N.Y. ·Even one hundred
years later, it Is Important that there· · venture capitalist and philan- age people in Louisiana to con·
. thropist estimated to be worth tribute so even more-can benefit
cord be made complete and correct."
more than $500 million,- joined 1 than the 11250 in the New Or·
Although Roosevelt attained many honwith John Walton, o director of . leans nren and 250 slated {or
ors durin& hls life, Including winning the
Wal-Mnrt Stores, Inc;, to an- scholarships In Baton Rouge.
presidency and the Nobel Peace Prize.
he yearned for the eluslvo medal. So
proud was Roosevelt of his military exploits that after he len the White
House he preferred beln& addressed
as "Colonel Roosevelt" ratherthan
·Mr. President.~
~
Heno back onjob
b~rn
l~ss
Judicial nominee
expect~<l~tqgetQK
: ·· after fainting spell·
. -uJa, · WASHINGTON- Attorney General
'Ja\
0
aso:>.
o~
lh~1r
. Janet Reno returned to wor~ Monday,
· paJad : · a day after her second fainting spell In
; - a year, and promised to take a vaca·
tion soon. Her d•Jctors were re·exam0
~.:loljJo - . lning one of her nedicatlons. One of.·
-as~~ ' the city's leading workaholics, the at~
suM fl · torney general was released from an
aJr · overnight hospi•.al stay and was back
. sua;ur
at her desk by II a.m. after her doctor
'
...
pronounced he~ ·100 percent fit for .
- "091
JO ()1\UA · duty." Although clearly embarrassed ·
uoquJal
by all the atten:ion, Reno, 60, was
U! (111\!ii
bright and chenrful at a morning meet-Jod OM~
In& with reporters, In contrast to her
appearance on a short, televised vl·
../
'1llilU
U! hl!lOf · deotape that showed her bolng lifted
from an ambulance at Georgetown
arn pu·
a41 'suor · University Medical Center on Sunday
·pa!lms
morning. Doctors told her a brief falnt--J;"i;.J lf;fl~
In& spell at a ~uburban church Sunday
·- · '·' •·••· .. ·
.: ... 1 frnrn rlrohvr\rntlon
-
.
.
..
th~ Loui~inn~
:·.,Aasocinli?n. ol
Tnnl Lawyers ·of Amencn, J.
.. ·.
. chief buck~r ·.of Democrnt\t
WASHINGTON - New Or- ' causes . and candidates. Mean~
leans lawyer Carl Barbier was · ·:; while, as, thii ·point man for thi
expected to be confiriD;ed by the •: lawyers'':· group,· Barbier was 1
U.S. Scnnte Monday mgbl .to ~ll . thorn in the side of Republicol\1
a vncn,ncy on the U.S. Dl.stpct- and pro-business groups In t~ ·
Court m New Orleans.
, stale Capitol.
Sen. John Breaux, D-Ln., said · In July, the Senate Judiciary
he received nssurunce•J from
Committee :·considered Barbier
Sennle Mnjority Lender Trent · along with several other can&
Lolt, R-Miss.,. that Barbier :·dales and approved his nomi·
. would be one of "n bunch" of fed- ':nation without comment, usunllJ
crnl judicio\ nominees the Senate n signal that the full Senate will
opprovcd before adjourning for do the some.
the day. . '
.
rr--------------"--.-.~
Waahln ton bureau
g
· . __:...-l.-.
·
.• '. ·
Breaux soid the Senote would
confirm "seven or nine" judicial
nominees by unanimous consen~,
.an action reserved for noncontroversial appointees.
When President Clinton nominn ted Tiurbier to the U.S. Dis~n lnrn· .r: .. <,irl t. hr.
. . • ' ..
..
..,
�New look at
JJOach allegory
Please allow me to flesh out
.t'hg "Allegory for our time" scena:rio in the Sept. 23 letter from
Mr. Banquer comparing the Cl.intoq-Lewinsky affair to a coach
aiJ~ an of-age cheerleader.
·. ··Suppose this popular and tal-.
ented coach's transgressions were
ex~osed by members of the coachufg staff of a rival school. In fact,
~ group had spent several years
~d millions of dollars from the
team's supporters to bring this
coach down for the ·simple purpose of eliminating the competitiop.
.
.
-ni. I wonder then how many stu. dents, parents, school officials
~
altllLni ·,vccld be ~~-~ c~t·
r9).l~ by the actions of the com~j;jng school's football staff or . ·
Mih the actions of their maligned
I •
ana
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"''"'""\,&.&..
b:
Vincent Campo
Metairie
9')f
Engineers to
,i~ the rescue?
e·
f)
:II
(~)
During flooding times, under,
passes become impassable ~
cause of high water. A given..
· · ~During the war, the Army, ··
Corps of Engineers (or whoever)
would almost instantly make
flooded areas and rivers passable
cythrowing across flexible .
·
. bridges. Heavy materiel and thou-.
sands of troops were able to ford .
Can't we make it possible for
·cars to get across these deep spots
under the Pontchartrain Expressway railroad overpa.8:!!? People
need j;o get out of the city via Interlrt.ate 10, which we are told is .
the major exit route.
E-MAIL:
1·'
~ ...
TPLETTERS@aol.com
11'
(504)826-3812
..... ·,
FAX:
,:
doesn't merit medal
On Sept. 29, you ran an article
about an attempt by some Republicans and Democrats to urge the
Army to' award the Medal of
Honor to Theodore Roosevelt.·
The article said it was an award
Roosevelt always c~aved, and
Rep. Rick Lazio, R-N.Y'., said
Roosevelt has waited long enough
for the recognition he deserves for
his heroism as leader of the .
Rough Riders during the SpanishAmerican War.
This is a gross insult to every
American serviceman awarded ·
the medal, many of whom made .
the ultimate sacrifice for their
bravery and actions during combat. It is also a slap in the face of
the surviving family members.
There is nothing about the
Spanish-American war that .even
remotely suggests that Roosevelt
accomplished any significant act
of heroism or sacrillce that falls
within the criteria for being rec-.
ommended ior'the Medal of
Honor. He suffered no injuries or
life-threatening wounds and performed no actions that would
qualify him to be recommended
for the highest award this country
can bestow.
Every veteran and all veterans organizations should rise up
against this flagrant abuse of this
nation's highest award for its
service members.
letters should be brief and to the point .To be
for publication. they must irclude
. the writer's address and a daytime telephone
nimiber. Initials and pen names· are not at·
~pte{l. nor are copies and leners addressed
to others. Leners from. the same writer are
not oublished when they follow frequently
co~sidered
THEODOREROOS~T
Don't insult Medal of Honer
tempt to·disgrace the true mean- .
ing_of the Medal.of H_onor and le
the1r rt:pi cs.::,, <.:. ~.·:"s ;;:; Congres>
know how they feel about this
matter. Congress has already
eroded enough of the benefits
what were promised to veterans;
now they want to disgrace the
honor and glo~ that rightfully b,
~ongs to our co~ades in arms
~ho gave and risked their lives
unseLfishly.
I say to those congressmen
who are supporting this injustice
YEnough is enough!"
Hiram H. Cook
It is t:i.r:D.e for every veter'an in
this country to speak out against
this ghastly and repugnant at- ·
MSG. USA(R,
Harv<
School' health clinjc at risk
In 1991, the Lower Ninth
Ward Coalition and the New Or' leans Council for Young Children
·.\'
Mary Gt-aff~gnini ( established a partnership to bring
a school-based health clinic to the
Metairie
Lower Ninth Waid at Alfred
Lawless High School to provide a
5
comprehensive service delivery
e;t(
WRITE:
model in the areas of health, eduLetters to the Editor
cation and social services.
· · 3800 Howard Ave.
New Orleans. !.A 70140
..._
T~ddy
A trailer was donated by
United Meclical Center to house
the clinic. With the assistance of
Sheriff Foti and several others,
the clinic was opened in February
1994.
From inception until1996,
the clinic was operated by the. .
partnership. Since that time, it
has been operated by the Lower
Ninth Ward Coalition and its
snonsor.;.
.the-art facility.
Unfortunately, state Sen. Jo:
Johnson added an amendment t<
the capital outlay bill that states
that the New Orleans Health
Corp. would operate the clinic
· pen ding construction.·
.
.
Sen. Johnson has never \isitc
or participated in any activities
pertaining to the clinic.
In a community where health
·service is crucial, it amazes us
that someone elected to represer
our district would hinder a facilii
that would enhance the health
sebnces of the young people in
the Lower Ninth Ward.
Kathryn Alver:
Coalition PresidE
Willie CalhoL,
�STROM THURMONO. SOl/TH CA.ROUNA. CH.AJAMAN
~~~;~ ~E~~~~~
W. WARNER, VlRGINIA
1.4c0JN, AAIZONA
COATS,INOCANA
..
MASSACHUSETIS
. JEFF BINGAMAN. NEW MEXK:O
SI.41TK. NE'W HAMPSHIRE
[(f1.4PTHOANE. IDAHO
JAMES M,INHOFE. OKL.A.HOMA
RICK SA,...,.ORUM. PENNSYlVANIA
JOHN Gt..ENN, OHIO
ROBERT C. BYRO;W'EST VIACINLA
CHARLES S. ROBS. VIRGINIA.
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COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
PAT ROBERTS. KANSAS
LES BROWNLEE. STAJ'F DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, DC 20510--6050
OA~IO S.lYLES. STAFF 01RECTOR FOR THE MINORI'I'Y
November 24, 1998
Honorable Luis Caldera
Secretary of the Army
101 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0101
Dear Mr. Secretary:
\
I want to take this opportunity· to reiterate the Congressional intent in
passing H.R. 2263, a bill that authorizes and requests the President to award the
Medal of I::Ionor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions in the
attack on San Juan Heights, Cuba during the Spanish American War.
Military awards and .decorations -- particularly decorations for valor -- are
a hallowed part of the military services' core values and traditions, and are
critical to the morale and esprit of the men and women who serve in our armed
forces. The decision to award a medal of valor is the prerogative of the military
services, not the Congress.
As the enclosed letter to President Clinton makes clear, it was Congress'
intent and understanding that prior to reaching a decision on awarding the medal
of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt, the President will seek the
advice of the Secretary of the Army; 'Theodore Roosevelt will be considered for
eligibility for the Medal of Honor based· on the same standard of merit that was
· applied to other members of the armed forces who.received this medal during
the Spanish American War; and the Secretary of the Army will prepare a full
and formal record of Theodore Roosevelt's valor, inviting public sub~issions,
with emphasis on the eyewitness and contemporaneous accounts of Roosevelt's
battlefield courage. I. believe that a complete record should be assembled and
the entire issue should be carefully reviewed by the Army, as you pledged in
\
your Octol?er 13 letter to me .and other members of Congress.
l
If an injustice was done to Theodore Roosevelt in withholding the Medal
of Honor, it should be corrected. But H.R. 2263 is advisory and not directive.
Before the President reaches a final decision on whether to award the Medal of
{I ;2,0 0 f1f
/60
�-2-
Honor to Theodore Roosevelt, our letter to the President makes clear the
Congressional intent that he should consult with you and get your best advice.
I look forivard to hearing from you on this matter.
Sincerely,
.
·. M~
Carl Levin
Ranking Minority Member
Attachment
....
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!61
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Speechwriting Office - Thomas Rosshirt
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Security Council
Speechwriting Office
Thomas Rosshirt
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1999-2001
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36327" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/7585792" target="_blank">National Archives Collection Description</a>
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2008-0703-F
Description
An account of the resource
<p>Rosshirt prepared speech remarks delivered by President William J. Clinton and National Security Advisor Samuel R. Berger between 1999 and 2001.</p>
<p>Rosshirt’s speechwriting efforts for President Clinton concerned the President’s trip to Vietnam; remarks at the Memorial Day Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia; remarks at Camp Foster Marine Base in Okinawa; remarks at the Council of the Americas 30th Washington Conference; the debt cancellation announcement for Jubilee2000; the Armed Forces Farewell at Fort Myer, Virginia; remarks to the Israeli Policy Forum; and awarding the Medal of Honor to both former President Theodore Roosevelt and to Captain Ed W. Freeman. Rosshirt’s speechwriting efforts also included National Security Advisor Berger’s remarks at Tel Aviv University and an article concerning Saddam Hussein.</p>
<p>This collection was made available through a <a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/freedom-of-information-act-requests">Freedom of Information Act</a> request.</p>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
51 folders in 5 boxes
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Paper
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Roosevelt Medal of Honor [binder] [4]
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Security Council
Speechwriting Office
Thomas Rosshirt
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2008-0703-F
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 4
<a href="http://clintonlibrary.gov/assets/Documents/Finding-Aids/2008/2008-0703-F.pdf" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/7585792" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
5/13/2014
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
42-t-7585792-20080703f-004-004-2014
7585792