# Bucky O'Neill — The Rough Riders character guide

> Bucky O'Neill in The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bucky, O'Neill

**First appearance:** 0003-i-raising-the-regiment

## Snapshot

An Arizona cowboy captain and former sheriff, beloved by his men and steady under fire, whose presence anchors the regiment's frontier character.

## Who they are

O'Neill belongs to the rough, self-made West that Roosevelt recruits from—a leader whose authority comes from experience rather than rank, and whose troop follows him because they trust him. In the disputed accounts of Las Guasimas, Roosevelt defends the regiment's conduct against critics, and O'Neill's steadiness in that fight is part of what he is defending. His death in action gives the narrative one of its sharpest losses, and his example helps define what the Rough Riders were supposed to be: capable, unpretentious, and willing.

## In the story

### [The Rough Riders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/the-rough-riders)

Prominent Rough Rider; noted for his bravery and leadership during the Las Guasimas engagement.

### [Raising the Regiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/i-raising-the-regiment)

Captain of Troop A from Arizona; noted as a born soldier and leader, former sheriff and mayor of Prescott.

### [To Cuba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/ii-to-cuba)

O'Neill's versatility is highlighted through his intellectual discussions with Dr. Church.

### [General Young’s Fight at Las Guasimas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/iii-general-young-s-fight-at-las-guasimas)

Troop commander; quoted Whitman about vultures; later killed in action.

### [IV: The Cavalry at Santiago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/iv-the-cavalry-at-santiago)

Strolls in front of his men despite warnings; is killed by a bullet to the mouth.

### [Appendix C: Corrections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-c-corrections)

Mentioned in the context of his speech about vultures, with a suggested biblical source.

### [Appendix F: Farewell Speeches at Montauk Point](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-f)

Mentioned by Roosevelt as one of the fallen comrades who died in the pride of youthful strength.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters/bucky_oneill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters