# Theodore Roosevelt — The Rough Riders character guide > Theodore Roosevelt in The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Colonel Roosevelt, Roosevelt, Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt, Hon. Theodore Roosevelt **First appearance:** 0002-the-rough-riders ## Snapshot Assistant Secretary of the Navy who traded a safe Washington desk for a colonel's commission, then wrote the memoir of the regiment he willed into being. ## Who they are Roosevelt begins the book already certain of his cause: he had preached intervention in Cuba and now means to answer his own call, recruiting a volunteer cavalry from the Territories and bullying supply bureaus into arming it in time to sail. The tension running through his account is between the chaos of a nation improvising a war and his own compulsion to impose order, speed, and personal presence on every stage of it. His voice—part commander, part partisan, part delighted participant—shapes how the regiment's early arc is told, and he is the reason the Rough Riders exist to be followed at all. ## Relationships ### [Colonel Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters/colonel_weston) _professional_ Colonel Weston and Theodore Roosevelt interact frequently as senior military officers coordinating Rough Riders operations. ### [Colonel Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters/colonel_weston) _professional_ Colonel Weston and Theodore Roosevelt interact frequently as senior military officers coordinating Rough Riders operations. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/dedication) Author and former Rough Rider colonel, dedicates the book on behalf of the regiment. ### [The Rough Riders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/the-rough-riders) Narrator and commanding officer of the Rough Riders; provides firsthand account of the regiment's formation and early battles. ### [Raising the Regiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/i-raising-the-regiment) Serves as narrator and co-commander; describes his role in recruiting, training, and instilling discipline in the regiment. ### [To Cuba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/ii-to-cuba) As lieutenant colonel, Roosevelt commands four sections of the pack-train during the journey to Tampa, reading Demolins and reflecting on American volunteer militarism. ### [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) Lieutenant Colonel; took command of the regiment after Wood's promotion; organized supply expeditions. ### [IV: The Cavalry at Santiago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/iv-the-cavalry-at-santiago) Commands the Rough Riders; draws his revolver to halt retreating colored infantrymen; sends messengers for permission to advance; leads the regiment in the assault. ### [V: In the Trenches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/v-in-the-trenches) Describes his role in inspecting lines, accumulating emergency rations, and maintaining discipline and morale among the Rough Riders. ### [VI: The Return Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/vi-the-return-home) Narrates the chapter; describes the camp conditions, sickness, and efforts to care for his men. ### [Appendix A: Colonel Roosevelt’s Report to the Secretary of War of September 10th](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-a-colonel-roosevelt-s-report-to-the-secretary-of-war-of-september-10th) Author of the report; describes the regiment's hardships and logistical failures. ### [Appendix B: The "Round Robin" Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-b-the-round-robin-letter) Author of the initial letter to General Shafter, arguing forcefully for the army's immediate withdrawal from Cuba due to malaria and yellow fever risk. ### [Appendix C: Corrections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-c-corrections) Author of the appendix, providing corrections and commentary on the regiment's history. ### [Appendix D: Recommendations for the Medal of Honor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-d) Subject of multiple Medal of Honor recommendations for his gallant charge on San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill. ### [Appendix E](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-e) Addressee of the letter; commanded the Rough Riders after Colonel Wood's promotion, led the assault on San Juan Ridge. ### [Appendix F: Farewell Speeches at Montauk Point](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/chapters/appendix-f) Delivers two farewell speeches to the Rough Riders, expressing deep personal bonds, pride in the regiment, and gratitude for the equestrian bronze gift. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters/theodore_roosevelt - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rough_riders_se/characters