# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd4P06kml6O
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71151541-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/346d6e822f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-29T17:00:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

Everybody knows the Rough Riders. Most people have two things wrong about them.

The idea started in Prescott, Arizona. And Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t originally their commander.

In 1898, as war with Spain approached, Prescott mayor William “Buckey” O’Neill joined Alexander Brodie and James McClintock in pushing the idea of a cavalry unit made up of Western cowboys, ranchers and miners. Men who already knew how to ride, shoot and handle brutal heat.

O’Neill resigned as mayor and volunteered himself.

Arizona quickly raised its men. So many volunteered that Washington wouldn’t take them all. They trained at Fort Whipple before leaving Prescott as crowds packed the streets and depot to see them off.

They became part of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry.

The Rough Riders.

And despite the name history remembers most, Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t initially in command. Colonel Leonard Wood commanded the regiment, with Roosevelt serving as lieutenant colonel. Arizona supplied three troops, with Brodie overseeing them and O’Neill commanding Troop A.

When the Rough Riders reached Cuba, O’Neill reportedly jumped into the water in full uniform to help rescue two Buffalo Soldiers from the 10th Cavalry during the landing.

Just nine days later, on July 1, 1898, Buckey O’Neill was killed during the fighting at San Juan Heights. He was 38 years old.

His remains were later returned to the United States and buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Back in Prescott, a statue of O’Neill has stood outside the Yavapai County Courthouse since 1907.

More than a century later, the Rough Riders are remembered around the country.

But a huge part of their story started right here in Arizona.

Send us your Arizona stories to be featured on the page.

#RoughRiders #Prescott #ArizonaHistory #Arizona #DownInnaDesert

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## Tags

arizonahistory, arizona, roughriders, prescott, downinnadesert

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