ROUGH RIDERSTwo weeks after war was declared on Spain, 85 volunteers, mostly
members of the Territorial National Guard, on May 5, 1898 filled the
Territory's quota as Troop A of First United States Volunteers Cavalry,
the famed "Rough Riders".
Examined and issued orders from "Camp George W. Steele" in the
McKay building, 102 E. Harrison, they were sworn into federal service
on the vacant lots across the street. There was much fanfare; the City
of Guthrie also presented a horse to Capt. Robert B. Huston, troop commander.
They were joined at San Antonio, Tex., by units from Arizona and New
Mexico Territories for prief training before fighting as dismounted Troop
D at the July 1 and 2, 1898, Battle of San Juan Hill under Lt. Col.
Theodore Roosevelt, who later visited veterans of the troop in Guthrie,
(see photograph).
In response to the clamor to serve, formation of the First Territorial
Volunteer Infantry allowed more Guardsmen to enlist for the Territorial
quota. Guthrie's group was joined by men from Pawnee to make Company I.
After mustering ceremonies on the vacant lots, the company marched
under command of Capt. Henry C. Barnes to the depot to entrain for Fort
Reno. They were joined by four other companies from Oklahoma and
Indian Territories. Later, units from Arizona and New Mexico joined
them for training in Kentucky and Georgia before they were mustered
out of service in February 1899.
Presented by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation 1980