Rough Rider Encampment

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, this area served as the campsite of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Leonard Wood and later Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Known as the Rough Riders, the more than 1000 officers and troopers included cowboys, ranchers, miners, lawmen, trappers, professional sportsmen, and socialites from 42 U.S. states, 4 U.S. territories, and 13 foreign countries. More than 600 Rough Riders left for Cuba via Port Tampa on June 14, 1898, fighting as dismounted cavalry, while the rest of the regiment remained in Tampa for the duration of the war because of a critical shortage of ships to transport the invading force. The Rough Riders suffered the highest casualty rate of any American unit in that war and became a living legend in their own time, and Roosevelt was later awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in battle.

Tampa, Florida · United States