The Rough Riders · Chapter
IV: The Cavalry at Santiago explained
The Rough Riders march toward Santiago, endure a grueling night march, and prepare for battle.
What happens
The Rough Riders march toward Santiago, endure a grueling night march, and prepare for battle. The chapter details the intense combat on July 1st, including the death of Bucky O'Neill, the heroism of various officers and men, and the critical role of Lieutenant Parker's Gatling guns. Roosevelt also recounts his handling of retreating colored infantrymen, asserting his authority to maintain the line, and notes the growing camaraderie between his men and the black soldiers.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Masculinity
Bucky O'Neill's fatal bravado, Roosevelt's display of authority, and the officers' exposure to fire exemplify the cult of heroic masculinity.
Race and Military Service
Roosevelt's interaction with retreating colored infantrymen and the eventual acceptance of black soldiers by the Rough Riders highlights racial tensions and camaraderie.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
Fraternization between Parker's Gatling crew and the Rough Riders, and the shared hardships of the march and battle, underscore unit cohesion.
Characters to notice
- Theodore Roosevelt
Commands the Rough Riders; draws his revolver to halt retreating colored infantrymen; sends messengers for permission to advance; leads the regiment in the assault.
- Bucky O'Neill
Strolls in front of his men despite warnings; is killed by a bullet to the mouth.
- Samuel Sumner
Commands the cavalry division after General Wheeler falls ill; rides his horse along the lines under fire; orders the advance on the hills.
- Leonard Wood
Brigade commander; arranges camping on El Poso hill; sleeps near Roosevelt.
- John H. Parker
Brings Gatling guns to the extreme front; his men fraternize with the Rough Riders.
- A. L. Mills
Aide to General Wood; breakfasts with Roosevelt; described as cool and invaluable; later killed.
- Henry Bardshar
Arizona miner; becomes Roosevelt's orderly after O'Neill's death; stays close to Roosevelt throughout the campaign.
- Horace Devereux
Dangerously shot while lying with his men on the edge of the river.
Key passages
“I jumped up, and walking a few yards to the rear, drew my revolver, halted the retreating soldiers, and called out to them that I appreciated the gallantry with which they had fought and would be sorry to hurt them, but that I should shoot the first man who, on any pretence whatever, went to the rear.”
Roosevelt stood up, went a short distance behind the line, pulled out his pistol, and stopped the retreating black soldiers, telling them he valued their bravery but would shoot anyone who tried to leave.
Roosevelt asserts command to prevent the line from weakening.
“Bucky O'Neill was strolling up and down in front of his men, smoking his cigarette, for he was inveterately addicted to the habit. He had a theory that an officer ought never to take cover—a theory which was, of course, wrong...”
O'Neill walked back and forth before his troops, smoking, believing an officer should never seek cover—a mistaken but brave notion.
O'Neill's fatal bravado is highlighted.
“The most serious loss that I and the regiment could have suffered befell just before we charged. Bucky O'Neill was strolling up and down... A little later he discussed for a moment with one of the regular officers the direction from which the Spanish fire was coming. As he turned on his heel a bullet struck him in the mouth and came out at the back of his head; so that even before he fell his wild and gallant soul had gone out into the darkness.”
Just before the charge, O'Neill was killed instantly by a bullet through his head while talking to another officer.
The death of a key officer just before the assault.
