On this spot on May 12, 1898, 200 men of the City of Muscogee and the Indian Territory were sworn into the service of their country. They defended its ideals at San Juan Hill, Cuba, as Troops L and M of Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry. Troop L included Captain A. K. Capron, 1st Lt. John R. Thomas, Jr., and 2nd Lt. R. C. Day. Troop M included Captain R. H. Bruce, 1st Lt. O. C. Nichols, and 2nd Lt. A. S. Johnson. This levy was raised by U.S. Judge John R. Thomas and sworn in by Lt. Allyn K. Capron of the 7th U.S. Cavalry, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, who was killed in action.