Sold – Colonel Roosevelt as Commander of the Rough Riders

The “Rough Riders” is a name given by the press to the First US Volunteer Cavalry, which was raised for the Spanish-American war.   Secretary of War Russell Alger offered command of the regiment to Theodore Roosevelt, who  resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to take the field. The regiment was mustered-in in May 1898 and many of the volunteers had known Roosevelt from the Badlands of the Dakota Territory as well as his time as New York City Police Commissioner. There were more applicants than positions available and Roosevelt had to turn away large numbers of them.  TR’s unit formed part of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade.

One applicant was Sherman Bell, deputy marshal of Cripple Creek, Colorado. As Roosevelt would later describe Bell, he had a hernia that might have prevented his service, had he not had a strong heart and distinguished character.  Bell was accepted in spite of his condition, made a major, and was given command of a group of more than 200 soldiers.  Roosevelt later wrote, “Bell had a hernia, but he was so excellent a man that we decided to take him. I do not think I ever saw greater resolution than Bell displayed throughout the campaign. In Cuba the great exertions which he was forced to make, again and again opened the hernia, and the surgeons insisted that he must return to the United States; but he simply would not go.”  He was “one of the gamest men I ever saw.”

The regiment departed Tampa, Florida on June 14, 1898, landing near Daiquirí, Cuba on June 22. Although officially a cavalry unit, the regiment fought on foot. They immediately began marching toward their objective, Santiago. Two days later, the unit participated in the Battle of Las Guasimas. Though outnumbered, the American contingent was nonetheless able to force a retreat of the Spanish troops to the city of Santiago.

On June 30, Roosevelt was promoted to full colonel and given formal command of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt would later write of that day in his official account of the military opera

tion, describing the heroism of Trooper Bell.

“One of the men I took with me… was Sherman Bell.  The agony [from his hernia] was very great and one of his comrades took his load. He himself, sometimes walking, and sometimes crawling, got back to camp, where Dr. Church fixed him up with a spike bandage, but informed him that he would have to be sent back to the States when an ambulance came along. The ambulance did not come until the next day, which was the day before we marched to San Juan. It arrived after nightfall, and as soon as Bell heard it coming, he crawled out of the hospital tent into the jungle, where he lay all night; and the ambulance went off without him. The men shielded him just as school-boys would shield a companion, carrying his gun, belt, and bedding; while Bell kept out of sight until the column started, and then staggered along behind it. I found him the morning of the San Juan fight. He told me that he wanted to die fighting, if die he must, and I hadn’t the heart to send him back. He did splendid service that day, and afterward in the trenches, and though the rupture opened twice again, and on each occasion he was within a hair’s breadth of death, he escaped, and came back with us to the United States.”

The next day, American forces began an assault on the city of Santiago. The Rough Riders charged up Kettle Hill that was slightly to the north of San Juan Hill. Roosevelt was the only one who was mounted. Bell commanded his troops on foot and was further injured during battle.  There is a well-known painting depicting Bell being aided by his troops.  Spanish forces eventually surrendered on July 17.  All told, the Rough Riders suffered a casualty rate of about 76% lost in battle, wounded, or down with disease. The unit became famous, as did its commander, who was on the road to the White House.

After the battle, Bell received his needed surgery in Cuba. Roosevelt was insistent that Bell be present for the return home, that he might receive the recognition he deserved.  He was, as Roosevelt put it, “Worthy of special mention for coolness and gallantry.” Bell consented to return to the United States, if it meant he would be doing so with his men. On August 7, departure day when the Rough Riders would leave Cuba, Roosevelt wrote this letter ensuring that Bell would be present with his troops when the ship pulled out, and guaranteeing that Bell would be present for the hero’s welcome planned on their return. 

Autograph Letter Signed, Cuba, August 7, 1898. “Please let Trooper Bell, 1st U.S.V., who has been operated on for hernia, rejoin the regiment now about to embark.  The Chaplain is the bearer of this.  T. Roosevelt.  Col. Com. 2d Cavalry Brigade.” This is the only ALS of Roosevelt from Cuba that we can confirm as reaching the market in at least 35 years.

That very day, after 47 days in Cuba, the Rough Riders left Santiago Harbor aboard the transport Miami headed for Montauk, Long Island. They arrived to a heroes’ welcome on August 14.  Bell was present, thanks to Roosevelt, with whom he maintained a long friendship.