The Spanish-American War
Discover the story of Arizona’s Rough Riders and their participation in this pivotal war, particularly their involvement in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. In 1848, the U.S. won its war with Mexico, and U.S. troops patrolled from Fort Yuma to just across the Colorado River to protect the gold seekers on their way to California in 1849.
With the signing of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, Arizona acquired the land from the Gila River to its present boundary with Mexico.
When the Spanish-American War began in 1898, Arizona provided two troops of 250 men to go to San Antonio, Texas. There, the recruits became part of the First Volunteer Cavalry — or as their executive officer, Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt used to call them — the ‘Roughriders’.
