The Rough Riders · Character

Leonard Wood

The regiment's first colonel, a physician-soldier whose bureaucratic cunning and hunger for the front line got the Rough Riders armed, mounted, and shipped before anyone else.

major

Also known as Colonel Wood, Wood, General Wood, Dr. Leonard Wood, Wood Colonel

First appearance: The Rough Riders

As a major figure in The Rough Riders, Leonard Wood is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Colonel of the Rough Riders; Roosevelt's superior and co-commander during the regiment's training and deployment.

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Wood is the organizer Roosevelt defers to: he knows the ground, understands that smokeless powder and regular-army carbines will decide whether the regiment fights or festers, and works the ordnance and quartermaster bureaus with relentless persistence. His ambition is not for show but for position—he wants the brigade with the regulars, and he wants it now. Without his foresight and push, the Rough Riders would have arrived too late for Santiago, and the book's central claim—that this regiment saw the hardest fighting of any volunteer unit—rests on his early, unglamorous victories.

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Character Web

39 connections

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Protagonist
Key Rough Rider Leaders

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

The emotional and psychological peak occurs in the revelation of the stark discrepancy between official report…

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In the story

Leonard Wood appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Rough Riders
Colonel of the Rough Riders; Roosevelt's superior and co-commander during the regiment's training and deployment.
Raising the Regiment
Colonel of the regiment; emphasizes hygiene and discipline, and works closely with Roosevelt to train the men.
To Cuba
Colonel Wood strains to secure equipment and commands the first three sections of the train to Tampa.
General Young’s Fight at Las Guasimas
Colonel of the Rough Riders; his energy pushed the regiment to the front; took brigade command after Young fell ill.
IV: The Cavalry at Santiago
Brigade commander; arranges camping on El Poso hill; sleeps near Roosevelt.
Appendix A: Colonel Roosevelt’s Report to the Secretary of War of September 10th
Brigade commander who ordered that only dire cases be sent to the rear; seized mules to get medical supplies before the fight of June 24th.
Appendix B: The "Round Robin" Letter
Brigadier-General commanding the City of Santiago; signatory of the round robin.
Appendix D: Recommendations for the Medal of Honor
Wrote a letter recommending Roosevelt for the Medal of Honor, describing his charge and personal bravery.
Appendix E
Placed in command of the Second Brigade after General Young fell ill, leading to Roosevelt taking command of the regiment.

Chapter companion notes

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