Perspectives in Military History Lecture Series

Perspectives in Military History Lecture Series

Original Americans:
Native Americans in Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War

Dr. Mark Sheftall
Associate Professor of History at Bucknell University

On May 20, 2020, at 6:30 PM EST, the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will live-stream a lecture entitled Original Americans: Native Americans in Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders by author and Professor Dr. Mark Sheftall of Bucknell University.

To view the lecture on May 20th, visit the live stream at https://www.armywarcollege.edu/live. Viewers can participate in the question and answer portion of the presentation by emailing questions to usarmy.carlisle.awc.mbx.ahec-ves@mail.mil or by commenting on the USAHEC Facebook post on the day of the event (https://www.facebook.com/USAHEC/).

Popular culture has evolved to regard the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment as flamboyant “cowboys,” easily forgetting the Rough Riders came from numerous backgrounds, including Native Americans. Dr. Sheftall will explore how “Indian” Rough Riders’ depiction as classic pieces of Americana reveals the changing views of American identity. The First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment thundered onto the public scene after serving under Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War, quickly finding a place in American hearts as “cowboys” off to fight for their country. Roosevelt, however, acknowledged the substantial contributions made by Native American members of the Rough Riders. Though relatively few in number, the Rough Riders’ Native Americans were integral to the Regiment’s image as icons of the frontier west, and by extension, of exemplary and quintessentially “American” qualities.

Dr. Mark Sheftall received his A.B.J. and M.A. from the University of Georgia in 1990 and 1993 respectively. He also received his PhD from Duke University in 2002. He authored the book Altered Memories of the Great War: Divergent Narratives of Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Dr. Sheftall’s work generally focuses on how society changes at and after times of war. He is currently the Associate Professor of History at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, PA and Harold K. Johnson Chair of Military History at the U.S. Army War College.

DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2020
TIME: Live Stream begins at 6:30PM EST
WATCH ONLINE: https://www.armywarcollege.edu/live

For updates and any last-minute changes, please check: www.USAHEC.org or call the Information Desk: 717-245-3972.