The "Rough Riders" was a group of cowboys and ranchers who Theodore Roosevelt recruited and supplied to fight in the Spanish American War (1898). Officially, they were the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, US Army. And of course, Roosevelt became Colonel Commanding.
They wanted control of Cuba, and the rough riders were a unit with volunteers because after the Dewey victory Americans had a lot of pride, they just wanted to fight someone.
One of Theodore Roosevelt's exploits as the leader of the Rough Riders During the Spanish-American war was to lead his men on a charge up hill on foot. When the Rough Riders returned, they were heros.
Nobody. The Rough Riders was the nickname of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry which fought in the Spanish-American War of 1898. The regiment saw action in Cuba, where its members killed Spaniards.