Suffering and Sacrifice

Where it surfaces

• Epigraph

  The poem directly addresses the cost of war, with the drum promising that 'Death shall reap the braver harvest,' emphasizing sacrifice as a central theme.

• General Young’s Fight at Las Guasimas

  Detailed accounts of wounds, death, and the burial of seven Rough Riders in a common grave highlight the cost of battle.

• V: In the Trenches

  The chapter details the hardships of trench life, including lack of food, disease, and the constant threat of assault, while emphasizing the shared endurance of officers and men.

• VI: The Return Home

  The chapter details the physical toll of malarial fever, the lack of proper supplies, and the quiet endurance of the men, many of whom refused pensions or help after the war.

• Appendix A: Colonel Roosevelt’s Report to the Secretary of War of September 10th

  The report describes the extreme hardships endured by the men, including lack of food, water, medical care, and the preference to suffer at the front rather than be sent to horrific rear hospitals.

• Appendix B: The "Round Robin" Letter

  Roosevelt describes the men as 'weakened and shattered' and warns of 'an appalling disaster' if they remain, emphasizing the extreme physical toll of the campaign.

• Appendix D: Recommendations for the Medal of Honor

  The letters note the heavy losses and extreme jeopardy Roosevelt faced, highlighting the physical sacrifice and danger of the assault.

• Appendix F: Farewell Speeches at Montauk Point

  Roosevelt honors those who died in Cuba and in hospitals, and recalls sharing hardtack and blankets with his men during the campaign.

• Endnotes

  The endnotes detail the heavy casualties on both sides, including over 2,000 seriously wounded and sick Spaniards in hospitals, and the desperate defense at El Caney.