Rough Riders
On the morning of September 15, 1898, the regimental property including all equipment, firearms and horses were turned back over to the United States government. The soldiers said one last good-bye to each other and the United States First Volunteer Cavalry, Roosevelt's Rough Riders, was disbanded at last. Before they all returned to their respective homes across the country, Colonel Roosevelt gave them a short speech that commended their efforts in the war, expressed his profound pride and reminded them that, although heroes, they would have to integrate back into normal society and work as hard as everyone else. Many of the men were unable to gain their jobs back from when they lost them before leaving for war. Some, due to illness or injury, were unable to work for a long time. Money was donated by a number of wealthier supporters of the regiment and used to supplement the well being of the needy veterans, many of whom were too proud to accept the help.
A first reunion of the Rough Riders was held in the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1899. Roosevelt, then Governor of New York, attended this event. In 1948, fifty years after the Rough Riders disbandment, the U.S. Post office issued a commemorative stamp in their honor and memory. The stamp depicts Captain William Owen "Bucky" O'Neill, who was killed in action while leading troop A at the Battle of San Juan Hill, July 1, 1898. The Rough Riders continued to have annual reunions in Las Vegas until 1967, when the sole veteran to attend was Jesse Langdon. He died in 1975.
Henry Nash
The movie tells a large part of the story of the Rough Riders from the point of view of the "Henry Nash" character, who is actually a composite historical figure used to advance the narrative, but bearing little resemblance to the real-life Henry Nash. Nash is portrayed as a poorly educated stagecoach robber who enlists in the unit when he encounters a recruiting train while outrunning a posse. A clash of personalities immediately develops between Buckey O'Neill and Nash, as Nash considers deserting while being alternately recalcitrant and lazy. O'Neill has a "sixth sense" that Nash is a criminal, and hounds him to become a real soldier. Later in Cuba, Nash panics at his first experience in battle and is wounded by Spanish soldiers. He then redeems himself by leaving the hospital in spite of his injuries to rejoin the fighting. By doing so, Nash finally gains O'Neill's respect shortly before O'Neill is killed. The film ends with Nash, now a millionaire with a son at Harvard, paying his respects at the grave of Buckey O'Neill around 1920.