The Rough Riders · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide detailed statistical and analytical commentary on the Spanish forces at Santiago, including troop numbers, casualties, and the courage displayed by both sides during the battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill.
What happens
The endnotes provide detailed statistical and analytical commentary on the Spanish forces at Santiago, including troop numbers, casualties, and the courage displayed by both sides during the battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill. Roosevelt critiques Spanish sources, offers his own estimates, and references works by Lieutenant Wiley and Lieutenant Tejeiro.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Sacrifice
The endnotes detail the heavy casualties on both sides, including over 2,000 seriously wounded and sick Spaniards in hospitals, and the desperate defense at El Caney.
American Exceptionalism
Roosevelt praises the 'courage and resolution' of American troops, emphasizing their determination to charge without cover, as noted by Spanish Lieutenant Tejeiro.
Characters to notice
- William R. Shafter
Mentioned as recipient of a letter from captured Spanish soldiers and as the subject of Lieutenant Wiley's book.
- Joseph Wheeler
Referenced in the context of troop numbers and the forces opposing the Spanish.
- J. Ford Kent
Mentioned alongside Wheeler regarding the number of American troops engaged.
- Hamilton S. Hawkins
Noted as commanding the Sixth and Sixteenth Infantry during the capture of Fort San Juan.
- General Rubin
Referenced in the context of the Spanish column engaged at Las Guasimas.
- John H. Parker
His books on the Gatling guns are cited as sources.
Key passages
“Lieutenant Tejeiro, while rightly claiming credit for the courage shown by the Spaniards, also praises the courage and resolution of the Americans, saying that they fought, 'con un arrojo y una decision verdaderamente admirables.'”
Tejeiro acknowledges Spanish bravery but also commends the Americans for fighting with truly admirable daring and determination.
Roosevelt uses Tejeiro's own words to highlight American valor.
“I am inclined to think that on the evening of that day there were more Spanish troops inside Santiago than there were American troops outside.”
Roosevelt believes the Spanish forces within Santiago outnumbered the besieging Americans.
This reflects Roosevelt's skepticism of official Spanish troop counts.