who were the rough riders?

The Rough Riders was the nickname for the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, a regiment raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War. It was one of three volunteer cavalry regiments but the only one to see combat. The regiment was initially intended to be composed mainly of frontiersmen from territories such as Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. However, after former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt joined as a leader, the group also included Ivy League athletes, cowboys, ranchers, Texas Rangers, Native Americans, and others skilled in horseback riding and combat. The Rough Riders trained in San Antonio, Texas, and fought in Cuba during the war, being most famous for their role in the Battle of San Juan Hill. They were originally cavalry but ended up fighting as infantry since their horses were not taken to Cuba. The regiment was led first by Colonel Leonard Wood and then by Roosevelt, who became associated with the unit and helped promote its legendary status. Their actions helped the U.S. secure victory in the brief war against Spain. Overall, the Rough Riders were a notable volunteer cavalry regiment distinguished by their diverse composition, leadership under Roosevelt, and battlefield achievements in the Spanish-American War of 1898.