Statue of William O. O'Neill by Solon H. Borglum in Prescott, AZ
Posted by: 
hykesj
N 34° 32.492 W 112° 28.166
12S E 365163 N 3823182
This equestrian statue of Captain William O. (Buckey) O'Neill of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (later known as the Rough Riders) stands in Courthouse Square, Prescott, Arizona.
Waymark Code: WMEN89
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/17/2012
Views: 16
Solon Borglum was the younger brother of Gutzon Borglum of Mt. Rushmore fame. He was the original American cowboy sculptor. This statue is now considered one of the finest equestrian monuments in the world.
William O'Neill came to Prescott in 1882 and found employment as a court reporter and writer for various publications. Though primarily a writer, he also dabbled in mining and politics being twice elected mayor of Prescott. In 1898 O'Neill co-founded the First United States Volunteer Cavalry in response to President McKinley's call for volunteers in preparation for impending war with Spain. This unit later became known as the Rough Riders and then as Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders after he commanded the regiment during the battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba (Spanish-American War). The stamp commemorates the 50th anniversary of these Rough Riders.
On July 1, 1898, Captain O'Neill was killed by Spanish fire below Kettle Hill in Cuba while commanding Troop A of the Rough Riders. "Sergeant, the Spanish bullet isn't made that will kill me" are often cited as Captain O'Neill's final words, spoken just before he was shot and killed. However, eye-witnesses have denied that these words were ever spoken by O'Neill.
William Owen O'Neill is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Stamp Issuing Country: United States
Date of Issue: Oct. 27, 1948
Denomination: 3c
Color: violet brown
Stamp Type: Single Stamp
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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