Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-30
AT CAMP WIK0FF
Governor 0tero's Description of His
Visit to Rough Riders" on
Long Island,
TO Be SOON MUSTERED OUT
Presidents Warm Words of Praise for the
lst Regiment of Volunteer Cav
alry-Did Lots Of Hard
Work,

Washington and New York Sunday
night, was called upon yesterday, by
a representative of the New MEXICAN
and requested to give short sketch of
his trip, which he kindly consented to
do, as follows: ~
"As you know my visit to Washing
ton was for the purpose Of looking after
matters pertaining to New Mexico. par
ticnlarly in regard to the lands granted
to the territory by the United States.
was very anxious to have the land
commission organize and begin the
work of selecting lands. and my trip
east was primarily to get matters
Strengthened out in order that the ter
ritory might soon begin to realize some
benefit from the bill passed by the last
session of congress.
About the time my business in Wash
ngton was closed up it was learned that
the Rough Riders were arriving at
Montauk Point, and | determined to
visit the camp and see the boys from
New Mexico. On reaching New York
City, Captain Curry was informed by
telegraph of my coming, and he sent
Lieutenant Green and a number of
troopers to the city to act as an escort
for me, but missed them some way
and arrived at Camp Wikoff alone. On
reaching the depot at Montauk Point |
found Troop f, with Captain Luna at
its head drawn up to receive me. Major
Hersey, Captain Muller, Lieutenant
Coleman and others. were also present,
and the boys gave me welcome that
moved me deeply.
''When arrived at Camp Wikoff the
Rough Riders regiment was in line
and as came in sight the men greeted
me with cheer after cheer. walked
along the line and shook hands with
each one. and it did me good to see the
boys again. Some of the Santa F'e men
were absent from the ranks because of
assignment to special duties. After
short visit in the quarters returned to
the officers tents and there met all the
officers Of the regiment. talked with
all the men with whom was personally
acquainted, and while they were worn
out with the hard work of the Cuban
campaign, they were in good spirits and
are fast regaining their strength under
the care and treatment received in the
new camp.
1T was great source of pleasure to
hear the regular army officers and men
speak of the Rough Riders. With the
regular army the 1st U. S. volunteer
cava'rymen aps at1et favofites and are
called the 11th regulars. Our boys when
in Cuba did more hard work and made
less fuss about it than even the regulars,
and the latter are not backward in so
stating. In fact, when talking with the
New Mexico men, not one made a com
plaint concerning their treatment while |
in that terrible campaign.
''In the afternoon, the men asked per-
mission to call on me, which was grant
ed, and they came in squads to request |
that would aid in getting them mus
tered out so soon as possible. They
stated that they were willing to remain !
in the service il there was any more
fighting to do, but the war is over, they |
had done their duty without hesitation.
and that they were anxious to return to
their homes.
''After this felt it my duty to return
to Washington and lay the matter be-
fore the president. This | did. Major +
Hersey accompanied me on the trip and !
we called on President Mckinley to- ,
gether The president seemed anxious
to comply with the request made by the
Rough Riders, and practically gave
assurance that they would be mustered
ont at the earliest possible date. The
president also spoke with enthusiasm
of the Rough Riders and could hardly
find words to express his appreciation
of their work He illustrated their
by saying: The moment the
Rough Riders struck Cuban soil they
asked for the road to Santiago, and
after being directed, never stopped until
they reached the city.
II had splendid time at Montauk
Point, and on leaving for Washington
was accompanied as far as New York
City by Captain Luna and Captain Curry.
Captain Luna was on his way home on
a short furlough, and Captain Curry
went to Jersey City to see Lieutenant
Ballard, who had been quite i'll in a hos
ptal there, but had recovered sufficient
ly for Captain Curry to take him to