The Rough Riders

Navy Secretary Roosevelt finally got his wish: a regiment of fine Ivy League gentlemen and western frontier cowboys and sharp shooters to kick the Spaniards out of Cuba. However, it is anything but a fun big game hunting expedition: The US Armed Forces are marred by breathtaking disorganization, their logistics are atrocious and the Spaniards are better armed than Roosevelt's regiment; they are also better fed.The Americans show great courage in battle, but casualties from combat, lack of food and medical supplies are horrific. They would have been even worse had the Gatling guns not made a key contribution ( Roosevelt's assessment). One wonders what would have happened in WWI had the Cuban campaign not taken place before.Through it all, Roosevelt is equal to his greater than life image, supremely self confident, relishing the company of other risk takers, determined to test his own courage. It is also clear that nobody around and above him quite forgot that he also was a Navy Secretary, and when the War Department or the HQ need to be brought to their senses, Roosevelt is happy to volunteer. In this regard, the appendices to this slim book are a must read.

I read thus book as research for a fictitious book I'm writing during the time of the Spanish-American war. I really liked how detailed Mr Roosevelt was in writing this, how appreciative he was his men, and how enthusiastic he was to be involved in this war. I have a better appreciation for him, having read this, and a better understanding of that particular war. It was a big help in my research.

great read. doesn't compare totally to the mini series but still a great read. Roosevelt a very good writer. interesting fact , pershing isn't mentioned once in the book, but in the mini series he had prominent role?

Hardly riveting, but I wanted to read some T.R. Sure, it's self-congratulatory, but it offers some insight into the man and his times.

It was a well written, I felt there was more to tell.

A very one sided acoount of this aspect of the Spanish American war. Mr. Roosevelt has a flowery writing style and some of his descriptions seem to be overblown. I could not help but wonder how he was never wounded or injured or fell ill when so many others did. He must have been very lucky or the explanation lies elswhere. I read it for my book club, otherwise I might not have finished it. Very repetitious and exagerated, i thought.

This book is extremely short but makes for an excellent read. I wish it were longer.

Theodore Roosevelt: Will we EVER see a leader like him, ever again?He was the REAL THING.He never pretended to be greater than what he was, he didn't need to. He was a man far greater than any of his peers on the political scene, and would be today, if he lived in our time.How many modern-day politicians and bureaucrats would resign from a comfortable post in Washington D.C., ...to actually lead men in battle?This is Roosevelt's humble account of his service with the Volunteer cavalry unit that he helped raise in Texas, as the U.S. prepared to wage war against Spain. Having recently lived as a cowboy and rancher in North Dakota, Roosevelt knew first-hand that a unit composed of the rugged sort of people from the West, would be a ready-made army. These were men who already knew how to fight, shoot, ride, and live off the land. All that was needed was to train them in military tactics and procedures, assign leaders, and organize them into units.The press nick-named them "The Rough Riders". The western volunteers who assembled to fill their ranks were cowboys, hunters, trappers, prospectors, and Native-Americans from various tribes. There were volunteers from the eastern states, as well, mainly college students and policemen.For all the hurried training in cavalry tactics, it came to pass that Roosevelt's unit fought as infantry. In the chaotic rush to procure transport to Cuba, most of the unit's horses had to be left in Florida. The rest were assigned as pack-animals. The actions in which the Rough Riders fought were better suited to infantry tactics anyway. They faced off against the Spanish army at Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, and Santiago.It was at the San Juan and Kettle Hill, where Roosevelt faced his "crowded hour". He was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his significant leadership on the ground, leading from the front, fighting at the head of his regiment. The issue of the Medal is not covered in this book, however. Thats another story.Roosevelt expressed disappointment that his regiment did not get to engage Spanish cavalry in combat. However, upon seeing the Spanish cavalry that was present on Cuba, he realised that the Spanish horsemen were not a worthy adversary. He comments on the bravery of the Spanish soldier, and the superior weaponry with which they were supplied, such as the Mauser rifle. However, they lacked certain characteristics of individual initiative and unit cohesiveness that Americans understood. Roosevelt speaks at length about the flagrant lack of readiness that the U.S. had for conducting a war abroad. The "aristocracy" of the army, at that time, was shamefully dismissive of modern developements. In an age where machineguns and rapid-fire breach-loaded artillery were beginning to make their presence known on the battlefield, ...some generals were still advocating the use of black-powder arms!At Santiago, as the hostilities subsided, illness began to take a far heavier toll on the troops than enemy action did. This was the most persistant killer of military personnel, from pre-history to the First World War. Roosevelt aggressively utilized his political connections to get his regiment out of Cuba as soon as possible. Hostilities had ceased, and Roosevelt was concerned with evacuating his people from Cuba before the epidemics decimated the ranks. He eventually found passage aboard ship, bound for Long Island, where the regiment recuperated and finally disbanded.This is a short book. Upon completion, one wishes Roosevelt had added more. He paints a loving picture of the regiment he commanded for a short time, a fellowship of unique and remarkable individuals who had a special comeraderie which is so rare in military service. This adventure tested Roosevelt before the eyes of the nation, and ultimately paved the way for his path to the presidency.Roosevelt never did receive the Medal of Honor, during his lifetime. Roosevelt's insistant efforts to evacuate his personnel caused public embarrassment for certain "superiors" in the chain of command. It shed too much light on the obtuse incompetance of those in higher office. In an act of sheer cowardice and pettiness, small men, who were not capable of emulating Roosevelt, rescinded his decoration! Over a century later, film-director John Milius was successful in appealling to Congress to decorate Theodroe Roosevelt with the Medal of Honor for actions in Cuba.