How did the rough riders African American calvary units contribute to the war effort?

Answer 1

I think your question might be more relevant to the Spanish-American War of 1898. The "Rough Riders" were the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry in the Spanish-American War. They were a white unit, with Theodore Roosevelt as second in command (Lieutenant Colonel). Roosevelt wrote a book right after the war about his experiences, which led to him being nominated for Vice President in 1900, and he then became President in 1901 when McKinley was assassinated.

There were about 180,000 black soldiers in the Union (Northern) Army in the Civil War, but I believe they were all infantry - foot soldiers. I do not recall having ever seen anything referencing a black cavalry unit in the Civil War.

After the Civil War the very famous 9th and 10th Regiments of US Regular Cavalry (Negro) were created. These were the fabled "Buffalo Soldiers", as the Indians of the Great Plains called them. These were extremely professional, immensely capable and very proud units. Not just anybody could join. Men served for decades in these units, and there were none better in the Army. When the war began with Spain in 1898, the 9th and 10th Cavalry were among the US troops sent to Cuba, along with the Rough Riders. The climax of the war was the "Charge Up San Juan Hill" (actually it was Kettle Hill), and Roosevelt, rushing his book into print, claimed all the glory. A few of the Rough Riders did get up the Hill, but they probably would never have made it if the 9th and 10 US Cavalry (Negro) weren't doing most of the work. So the professionals got the job done, and the glory hound amateur rode his stolen glory to the White House.