ebooks Danes and Icelanders in Michigan (Discovering the Peoples of Michigan) by Howard L. Nicholson; Anders J. Gillis; Russell M. Magnaghi in History

Description

Americans have long heard the story of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders charging up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. But often forgotten in the great swamp of history is that Roosevelt’s success was ensured by a dedicated corps of black soldiers—the so-called Buffalo Soldiers—who fought by Roosevelt’s side during his legendary campaign. Roosevelt admitted that the black troops actually spearheaded the charge; beating him to the top of Kettle Hill ahead of San Juan Hill; but later changed his story; claiming their perfor­mance was due to the superior white officers under whom the black troops served. The Roughest Riders takes a closer look at common historical legend and balances the record. It is the inspiring story of the first African American soldiers to serve during the post-slavery era; first in the West and later in Cuba; when full equality; legally at least; was still a distant dream. They fought heroically and courageously; making Roosevelt’s campaign a great success that added to the future president’s legend as a great man of words and action. But most of all; they demonstrated their own military prowess; often in the face of incredible discrimination from their fellow soldiers and commanders; and rightfully deserve their own place in American history.