Rough Riders is the nickname for a famous American regiment that fought in Cuba under Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership during the Spanish-American War of 1898. The official name of the regiment was the First United States Volunteer Cavalry. About 1,000 men enlisted in the unit–all, Roosevelt said, “born adventurers.” The press named them the “Rough Riders” during their training in San Antonio. Leonard Wood commanded the Rough Riders when the regiment was first formed. Later, Roosevelt became colonel in command.
The Rough Riders fought at the Battle of Las Guasimas on June 24, 1898. In the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, Roosevelt led a victorious charge up Kettle Hill, near San Juan Hill. In the charge, 15 of the regiment’s men were killed and 76 were wounded. The daring of the Rough Riders helped make Roosevelt a national hero and, later, president of the United States.
