The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-24
Roosevelt apd the Negro Troops at
Santiago.

In the Kaleidoscope OF history there are
often unexpected turns which show events
and persons in a light somewhat different
from that in which they were seen but
short time before. AS the history of the
Spanish-American war is reviewed in
calmness and serenity, new incidents keep
cropping out, and ew~eyidence as to the
Responsibilities. Of, various people in sundry
situations comes to light. We have just
had an example Of this in Lieutenant Hob
sons discovery that Dewey did not sink
the Spanish ships atr.Msnila. but that they
were sunk by the enemy. The time has
come to pay attention 20 Colonel Roose-
veits story Of how he won the battle of
San Juan
1t is generally conceded by war corrc-
spondents who are acquainted with tbs
facts. that bnt for the aid of the Tenth
Cavalry (colorea) the Rough Riders might
have been wiped out on at least one occa-
sion. and that alt four OF the negro regi-
ments concerned in Cuban operations
fought most bravely and effectively. There
was no reason why this should not be so.
These man were not raw recruits, but old
Indian fighters, and after campaigning all
over the far West, against Apaches. Sioux,
ard Comanches. it is unlikely that they
would be much scared by Spanish regulars.
Colonel Roosevelt seems to be the only
person as yet on record who has any fault
to find with their conduct. In his account
of his career as colonel OF the Rough
| Riders he makes this statement ("Scrib-
| ner's Magazine" April, 1893; page 43G)
''Sone of the white regulars or Rough Riders
showed the sIigitcst sig1 Of weakening, hut under
the strain the colorcd irsfantryrnen (shO had none
/ OF their of6cefs) began to get little uneasy
ard 70 drift to the rear. either helping wound
| ed men or saying that they wished to find their
! own regiments. This ] could not allow, il
was depleting NY line, I jumped mp. and
walking few yards to the rear. drew my re-
volver halted the Tetreatirg soldiers, ard called
out to them that | appreciated the eallantry
with which they had fought ard would be sorry
10 hurt them. but that | should shoot the frst
man who. on any pretence Whatever, WENT to
\ the rear
After this. Colonel Roosevelt nalvely
says. he had no moro trouble, The specta-
Gle Of the lieutenant colonel of volunteer
| regiment. with a military experience
| gained in two months, marching up and
down the line of battle, brandlshing re-
volver. and striving 10 oyerawe by the
| CLEAN Of his eyes and teeth members Of a
| regiment OF old Indian fighters, must have
! been amusing if there was anybody on the
scene in a smiling mood. When the Roose-
welt account appeared, however. theirs
/ were few smiles among the colored SOL
diers Of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry and
the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-ifth In
l fauty. or among their friends. sergeant
of the Tenth wrote 20 one Of his officers.
who was present at this curious scene, and
got signed account OF that officers OBJ
servations In this account It is stated
that Roosevelt did walk up and down with
| revolver in his hand, that he did threaten
10 shoot the first man who left the hill.
and that one of his own men theE said:
Colonel, you ought not to talk Ike that
| TO these colorcd men. We have sea- them
fight"
Lieutenant Fleming. the officer in ques-
ton, furthermore states that thu only
( colored men going to the rear at the time
were two who had been ordered to carry
a wounded sergeant out OF range, and that
although both the Rough Riders and the
negro soldiers left the hill for various
purposes after Colonel Rooseyelt's blood
thirsty remarks. they all came back to
their post, where the men of the Tenth
remained about FIVE hours after the Rough
Riders were ordered away. He also says
| that other negro soldiers voluntarily came
to this exposed position. SO that when he,
as the officer in command, left the bill In
the afternoon he had about twice as many
men as he had at first. He eopcludes:
"As far as my observation vert ] none Of
| the supposed want Of initiative Tie colornd
soIdiers displayed 4 great faculty of getting 10
| to tie front singy, or in groups under their
officers, and that is initiative enough for me ;"
We have here a fairly good REPUTATION of
the charge of cowardies which Roosevelt
has brought against the colored men who