Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, Spanish-American War
Theodore Roosevelt and John Campbell Greenway standing with two cavalry officers and several cavalry horses. Tents and horses can be seen in the distance.
Collection
Creation Date
1898
Your TR Source
Arizona Historical Society
“I hope to pay one last visit to the ranch, with little Ted, who will then be nearly eleven; and I shall think of you very often, riding over the immense rolling plains, with their mat of short, sun-scorched grass; for it has always seemed to me that we two felt those plains as no one else I have ever seen does,” wrote Theodore Roosevelt to Patty Selmes in 1897.
Established by an Act of the First Territorial Legislature on November 7, 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest historical agency. The items in their collections illuminate Roosevelt’s relationship to the Great Plains, as well as his connections to the Selmes, Greenway, and Ferguson families. Isabella Greenway was the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, as well as the daughter of Patty Selmes. The Selmes family called North Dakota home.
Materials in this collection include correspondence from Gutzon Borglum regarding the creation of Mount Rushmore, letters examining national politics, as well as items relating to the history of the Rough Riders. Most importantly, this collection shows the value Roosevelt and his family placed on developing and preserving relationships over a lifetime.
See below to view items from this collection.
Letter from Quentin Roosevelt to Isabella Ferguson
Quentin Roosevelt thanks Isabella Ferguson for the postcards. Archibald Roosevelt has been ill and the disinfectant that is being used is very smelly.
Collection
Creation Date
1906-1908
Postcard from Lawrence F. Abbott to John Campbell Greenway
Lawrence F. Abbott initially missed John Campbell Greenway’s letter and has now made sure the package is en route. He recently spoke to Dr. C. F. P. Bancroft about Greenway and Bancroft called Greenway “a perfect gentleman.”
Collection
Creation Date
1892-08-11
Diary of W. M. Parke
W. M. Parke records landing in Cuba and describes the landscape, pests, and living conditions. Parke recounts marching uphill, looking for water while drenched, and finding both water and Spanish wine. Parke also mentions marching forward as an advance guard under General Wheeler. He describes a skirmish and details positions of the troops, including a hand drawn map of the trail with the positions of Rough Riders, 2nd Cavalry, and 10th Cavalry.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-06
Song of the Roosevelt Rough Riders
Lyrics for a song about the Rough Riders, led by “Gallant Teddy.” The song praises Roosevelt, and describes the Rough Riders’ modest attire, patriotism, and diversity of social class.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-1900
To Roosevelt’s Rough Riders
David Gregory describes, in a two-stanza poem, the battle of San Juan Hill and the defeat of the Spaniards that was led by “gallant Wood and our own Ted.”
Collection
Creation Date
1898-1900
A Cuban idyl
Poem about a soldier suffering from yellow fever in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-07-24
Postcard from John Campbell Greenway to Alice White Greenway
John Campbell Greenway is sending the G Troop Company’s book by mail. The book was taken from the boot of Fred P. Myers after his death on July 1, 1898, at San Juan, Cuba. Greenway is well and is leaving for the reunion today.
Collection
Creation Date
1899-06-23
Muster-In roll of John Campbell Greenway
Officers’ muster-in roll for John Campbell Greenway; including date of muster, rank, age, residence, and notes on promotions.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-09-06
Letter from Leonard Wood to John Campbell Greenway
General Wood has a souvenir Mauser rifle he will send to John Campbell Greenway at the earliest opportunity. He was pleased to see Theodore Roosevelt win the New York gubernatorial election. Wood is doing well in Cuba. The work is hard but the results are great. Mr. Byrnes is the only Rough Rider that has stayed with Wood. He is a valuable man and is currently working as a messenger.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-12-20
Letter from John Campbell Greenway to Alice White Greenway
John Campbell Greenway will be leaving for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to look for job opportunities and hopes to be home for Thanksgiving. He advises that investment in real estate at Oyster Bay, New York, is a good speculation, and he has picked out a place for a cottage. Greenway will be spending some time with Theodore Roosevelt and John Avery McIlhenny. He is sending two horses to Gilbert Christian Greenway and the government should cover most of the expenses.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-09-23
Letter from Charles R. Greenleaf to Alice White Greenway
Charles R. Greenleaf was briefly in Cuba checking on the spread of yellow fever and seeing many Rough Riders, but not learning their names. He will write if he hears anything about John Campbell Greenway. The Greenway name brought back memories of Greenleaf’s “pleasantest years” spent in Huntsville, Alabama.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-08-12
Letter from I. Shelby Irvine to John Campbell Greenway
I. Shelby Irvine conveys his, and his family’s pride, in John Campbell Greenway’s military service. Colonel Roosevelt wrote a letter praising Greenway’s “gallantry, bravery and incalculable services.”
Collection
Creation Date
1898-08-18
Letter from Launcelot M. Blackford to John Campbell Greenway
Launcelot Minor Blackford congratulates Lieutenant Greenway on his return from Cuba and on a “duty faithfully performed and distinction honorably won.” Blackford asks that Greenway write to him at home as soon as Greenway receives this letter and he hopes to see Greenway at Episcopal High School when circumstances allow.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-08-16
Letter from Harriet C. Carter to John Campbell Greenway
Harriet C. Carter is distressed at the government sending regiments from southern camps to Montauk, New York, and fears Greenway will “find things in a sad state of unreadiness.” A package has been sent to Greenway with items that she hopes will be useful.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-08-12
Letter from Walter F. Carter to John Campbell Greenway
Walter F. Carter admires John Campbell Greenway’s military service. He reminisces about their college days, updates Greenway on their friends, and offers to send a care package. Carter is very eager to see Greenway when he is back on American soil.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-07-24
Letter from Norman Leeds to John Campbell Greenway
Norman Leeds expresses his appreciation, along with that of the Yale class of 1895, for John Campbell Greenway’s service in the Spanish-American War. Leeds and the class feel that the honor of the country, university, and class are safe in Greenway’s hands.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-07-06
Roster of cavalry officers
Roster of cavalry officers of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, including name and rank.
Collection
Creation Date
1898
Telegram from John Campbell Greenway to Alice White Greenway
John Campbell Greenway is well, will muster out tomorrow, and will be home in two weeks.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-09-11
Telegram from John Campbell Greenway to Alice White Greenway
John Campbell Greenway has mustered out of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry and will return home soon.
Collection
Creation Date
1898-09-16