It is not the intention of the author to write a panegyric upon the brief but brilliant career of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, better known as the Rough Riders. The regiment needs none. Hence the reader need not fear an infliction of military hysteria. He can find that in copious quantities elsewhere - millions of words of it.<br><br>Some of the pathetic incidents in the regiment's history will be noted, but it will be the brighter side of the shield that the author will endeavour to present to his readers. The tragedy of the regiment's campaigning for a long time buried the comedy out of sight so far as the author was concerned. But time numbs all wounds if it does not heal them; and, to-day, precisely one year from the date he was mustered in as 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the regiment, he commences a narrative that he projected simultaneously with that appointment, and for which he took many notes.