The photo below shows future president, theodore roosevelt, with the troops he commanded in the spanish-american war: historic p
hoto showing a group of approximately 40 american soldiers seated and standing. at the center of the group in military uniform is theodore roosevelt, wearing suspenders with field hat and glasses. american flag is displayed behind. public domain what nickname did this group of soldiers have?
The Rough Riders were the troops under Theodore Roosevelt's command.
The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry unit. The unit was made of athletes and cowboys as well as general adventurers. Theodore Roosevelt was put in charge of this group of untrained men who were willing to fight. They were most used in the Spanish American War to take the island of Cuba. The men were recruited from the Southwest and because they were athletic and training in shooting and riding a horse they were useful in the war with little investment from the government.
