The U.S. volunteer cavalry unit led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt was known as the Rough Riders.
Its official name was the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, organized in 1898 for the Spanish-American War. Leonard Wood served as colonel, while Theodore Roosevelt became lieutenant colonel and second-in-command. When Wood moved to higher brigade command, Roosevelt assumed leadership of the regiment.
The unit attracted a highly unusual mixture of frontiersmen, cowboys, hunters, miners, Native Americans, Texas Rangers, athletes, and college students. Although formally cavalry, the regiment fought in Cuba largely as infantry because most of its horses did not make the overseas journey. This led to the nickname “Wood’s Weary Walkers.”
The Rough Riders became famous during the fighting around Santiago de Cuba, especially the July 1 assault on Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. Popular memory often credits them alone, but they fought alongside regular Army units, including the 9th and 10th Cavalry. Their fame also helped launch Roosevelt’s national political career.