Evening star., 1898-04-30

who have keenly and deliberately studied
the conditions of the existing trouble with
Spain are inclined to the belief that not
until the rainy season in Cuba has passed
will the active land-ighting in connection
with the occupation and pacifcation of the
Cnfortur ate island commence in earnest
When 1t does come, it matters not when,
there can be no doubt felt that when the
tales of teroism are told none will dazzle
more with deeds of caring than those re-
cited about the mounted rifiemen. Three
regiments of cavalry are to be mustered
il to the service of the United States as
volunteers for service in Cuba. and the
one which will be known better by its ap-
pelatiCn. THE Riiemen on Horseback"
than by its regimehtal number will be
composed of the flower of American
knight-errantry, if such term is permis
sible-
brave Men In Command.
Leonard Wood will be its colonel Theo-
Gcre Roosevelt will be its lieutenant col
onel. Those two men are representatives
of the men no will follow them. and when
the regiment is organized at the rendez-
woes in San Antonio, Texas it will COM
prise as brave and fearless, as deter
mined and as enthusiastic and accom-
piished and as expert body of horse
Men and marksfnen as the whole world
prCvide.
Already the individuals who will compose
this remarkable band of fighters have been
selected and today away out in Utah, Ari-
zona, New Mexico Indian Territory. Okla
hC ma: and Nevada they ready and
eager for muster. Each man has an un-
disputed title TO rare courage. magnificent
hCrsemanship and Unerring Workmanship.
and from the east they will be Joined by
three OF four score of SOjourners who are
equally expert in the attributes mentioned
Above all these r:en are Injured to hard
snip and proof to any sort of weather and
familiar with any sort of country. Al
home IN the wild h9unts of the west: now
cl3tmberIng up and down precipitouS sleeps;
again pushing their way through seeming
ly impeEetrable chapparal and next riding
over miles of sand lava with water
nowhere and a molten sun in the zenith,
they will take to Cuba all their vast re-
sources with which their lives in the west
have equipped them and on hill or plain.
in valley or mountain. they will be equally
ready with the ingenuity to make the most
of circumstances and conditions which
their experience has inspired and educated
1t will be such band that the Black
Prince would have given mis- heritage to
lead; that a Sheridan, a Custer q Jeb
Stuart or an Ashby would have gladly
taken, and with triumphant faith have
stCrmed the very gates that Cerberus
guards and felt assured of victory And
the maI at the head of them will lead
them into places just as hot and horrible
without any question of a doubt.
Col. Woods Daring.
Leonard Wood has already marked the
military history of the United States with
a broad and blazing story of supreme dar-
ing. medal Of honor awarded to him by
grateful Congress of the United States
will gleam from his broad bosom when his
feet are in the stirrups and his sword
points the way to battle. The story of the
courage and devotion to duty which led
the nation to thus honor Col. Wood shows
the Kind OF man he is.
In 1856 he was a surgeon in the regular
army, ranking as captain, and connected
with the Sth Infantry. Geronimo the
Apache. was making a track across the
southwest marked with the blood of wo
men and babies and the horrible murders
of unprotected settlers. The Sth Infantry
was without officers of rank but Wood
took command of ready detachments of the
peerless sth and took up the terrible In
dams trail.
For 400 miles he hung on it through
the very worst country on the face of the
earth Hunger. thirst, miseries untold
were the lot of that gallant band, and