42
36
heroic use. Mules are to be employed, since they stand harship better than horses, and, what is of still greater importance, they are more sure-footed. One mule carries the gun, a second the carriage and trail piece, and a third ammunition. The manner of transport ing and manipulating these guns will be illustrated just as in action.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME "ROUGH RIDERS."
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt says: "Wood and I were speedily commissioned as Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry. This was the official title of the regiment, but for some reason or other the public promptly christened us the 'Rough Riders.' At first we fought against the use of the term, but to no purpose; and when, finally, the Generals of Division and Brigade began to write in formal communications about our regiment as the 'Rough Riders,' we adopted the term ourselves."
The "some reason or other" for calling his regiment "Rough Riders," regarding which Colonel Roosevelt seems to be in doubt, is so readily found and explained that his failure to discover it is really surprising. The name is one with which the public has become familiar, and in a way fascinated, through its adoption some years ago by Col. W. F. Cody- "Buffalo Bill"-- to designate precisely the class of frontiersman associated with his Wild West Exhibition, which, as Colonel Roosevelt himself remarks, "made up the bulk of the regiment and gave it its peculiar character." The term was gradually widened to include the Cossack, Arabian, Mexican, South American, trooper and other free, fearless equestrians, now marshaled under the leadership of the greatest horseman of them all. Millions of people had grown to understand, fully appreciate, and unboundedly admire that title and what it stands for, and its transference to the First U. S. V. Cavalry was not only a deserved compliment, but an honorable designation, whose admirable fitness was at once and univer sally recognized. Colonel Cody first introduced the name "Rough Riders"d to the American public. The manner in which Colonel Roosevelt subsequently introduced it to the Spaniards has made it historically immortal.
GENERAL CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MR. NATE SALSBURY. ROME, 3D MARCH, 1890.
RESPECTED SIR:
The Roman papers report that COLONEL CODY was engaged with Don Onorio Caetani, Herzog of Sermonets, Prince of Teano, etc., etc., that he will to-morrow ride in the Exhibi tion of this town some of his untamed stallions.
I send you, therefore, some of his gentleman's reference lists, also information as to his family and his horses, which may be of interest at this time.
The great lordly family of the Cajetans is the oldest amongst the noble families of Rome. The Cajetans were once the lords over the entire Roman districts of Velletri (twenty-five miles south of Rome), near Fondi (on the Terracine side).
They gave two Pontiffs to the Throne of St. Peter, Gelasius II. (III8), and Boniface VII. (1294), and were the close allies of the Colonnas and the Orsinis in their long contests with the Papacy in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
Their large estates were confiscated by Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503), but were afterwards restored under another Pontiff.
The present chief representative of the family is Don Onorio Caetani, Herzog of Ser moneta, Prince of Teano, etc., etc. He is the sone of the late Prince Michael Angelo Caetani, renowned for his studies and commentaries on the works of the poet Dante, and his manifold services in the interests of Italian culture and art in general.
The family residence in Rome is the Cajetan Palace, where the family pedigree and archives are kept.
These genealogies and documents are the most complete of all the great historic Roman families. Some of the branches of the pedigree are dated back into Cajetans of the ninth and tenth centuries.
The small village of Cisterna, where the untamed stallions are kept, lies about thirty one miles south of Rome: it is situated on the same line as the old Appian Way. The
43
37
archaeological and historic name of the village was "The Three Taverns," where the holy Apostle Paul (in the Book of Acts, chapter xviii, and 15th verse) arrived, and found some of his friends had come to meet him on this journey toward Rome.
This ancient site, and the whole surrounding district, is still the property of the Cajetans.
The Prince's horses, which will be chosen for this test from the Cisterna Campagna, are known in Rome as the Cajetan breed, and hold their own for the wildest and most un manageable in the country.
It is said that this breed shows a local crossing with a Saracen breed (which was in troduced into these parts by the Saracens in the Middle Ages), and also a touch of English full blood.
Whole volumes of illustrious history might be supplied with reference to the Cajetan family and of their richly endowed estate; they have filled a spacious position in the annals of a thousand years. With sincere respect, (Signed), CHARLES M. WOOD. Vice-Consul of the United States of America at Rome, Italy.
"BUFFALO BILL" IN VENICE.
(By Telegraph, "New York Herald.") VENICE, 16TH APRIL, 1890.
"BUFFALO BILL" and his "Wild West" have made a big show in Venice. The even ing the directors have a special invitation on the Grand Canal, where the whole troupe will be shown. COLONEL CODY is taken by the Venetian Prefect in his own private residence. No one can think them ordinary artists, after thay have seen the gathering of different Indians in gondolas, or seen the wonderful sight which presents itself at the Venetian Palace and in the little steamboats that ply between the Pier of St. Mark and the Railway Station.
Thousands of Venetians assembled yesterday at Verona, where the Company of the Municipal Authorities of Justice have allowed the use of the Amphitheatre, or the so-called Arena, one of the most interesting structures of Italy, and nearly so with the Colosseum of Rome itself.
Forty-five thousand persons can conveniently find sitting room in this Arena and for standing room there is also extensive space. As His Royal Highness Victor Emmanuel was on a visit here once, 60,000 people were accommodated in it. it is, perhaps, interesting to know that this building is the largest in the world, although the "Wild West Show" quite filled it.
The Amphitheatre (Arena) was built in the year ago A.D., under Diocletian, and is known in Germany as the Home of the Dietrich of Berne. it is 106 feet high, 168 meters long and 134 meters broad (the Arena itelf is 83 meters long, 48 meters broad), the circum ference is 525 meters. In the surrounding Amphitheatre (entering by the west side through Arch No. 5, admission one franc, Sunday free), are five-and-forty rows of steps, 18 inches high, 26 inches broad, built of gray, or rather reddish yellow limestone, where nearly 20,000 spectators can find places, and where many more people can see by standing on the wooden benches behind them. From an inscription on the second story it will be remembered that Napolean I. visited this place in 1805. The restoration of the building was by recommenda tion of that Emperor. A wonderful view is obtained from the higher steps.
THE WILD WEST AT THE VATICAN--"BUFFALO BILL'S" INDIANS AND COW-BOYS AT THE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF LEO XIII.
New York Herald, March 4, 1890--(From our Special Correspndent.) ROME, March 3.
One of the strangest spectacle ever seen within the venerable walls of the Vatican was the dramatic entry of "BUFFALO BILL" at the head of his Indians and cow-boys this morning, when the eccleseastical and secular military court of the Holy See assembled to witness the twelfth annual thanksgiving of Leo XIII. for his coronation. In the midst of the splendid scene, crowded with the old Roman aristocracy, and surrounded by walls immortalized by Michael Angelo and Rafael, there suddenly appeared a host of savages in war paint, feathers and blankets, carrying tomahawks and knives.
A vast multitude surged in the great square before St. Peter's early in the morning to witness the arrival of the Americans. Before half-past nine o'clock the Ducal Hall, Royal Hall, and Sextine Chapel of the Vatican were packed with those who had influence enough to obtain admittance. Through the middle of the three audiences, the pathway was bordered with the brilliant uniforms of the Swiss Guards, Palatine Guards, Papal gensdarmes and private
44
38
chamberlains. The sunlight fell upon lines of glittering steel, nodding plumes, golden chains, shimmering robes of silk, and all the blazing emblems of pontificial power and glory.
THE WILD WEST MAKE THEIR ENTREE.
Suddenly, a tall and chivalrous figure appeared at the entrance, and all eyes were turned toward him. It was COLONEL W.F. CODY, "BUFFALO BILL." With a sweep of his great sombrero, he saluted the chamberlains, and then strode between the guards with his partner, MR. NATE SALSBURY, by his side.
ST. PETER'S AND VATICAN, ROME.
"ROCKY BEAR" led the Sioux warriors, who brought up the rear. They were painted in every color that Indian imagination could devise. Ever man carried something with which to make big medicine in the presence of the great medicine man sent by the Great Spirit.
"ROCKY BEAR" rolled his eyes and folded his hands on his breast as he stepped on tip toes through the glowing sea of color. His braves furtively eyed the hallberds and two-handed swords of the Swiss Guards.
The Indians and cow-boys were ranged in the south corners of the Ducal Hall. COLONEL CODY and MR. SALSBURY were escorted into the Sextine Chapel by chamberlains, where they were greeted by Miss Sherman, daughter of General Sherman. A princess invited COLONEL CODY to a place in the tribune of the Roman nobles.
He stood facing the gorgeous Diplomatic Corps, surrounded by the Prince and Princess Borghesi, the Marquis Serlupi, Princess Bandini, Duchess di Grazioli, Prince and Princess Massimo, Prince and Princess Ruspoli, and all the ancient noble familes of the city.
THE PAPAL BLESSING.
When the Pope appeared in the sedia gestatoria, carried above the heads of his guards, preceded by the Knights of Malta and a procession of cardinals and archbishops, the cow-boys bowed and so did the Indians. "ROCKY BEAR" knelt and made the sign of the cross. The Pontiff leaned affectionately toward the rude group and blessed them. He seemed to be touched by the sight.
As the Papal train swept on, the Indians became excited, and a squaw fainted. They had been warned not to utter a sound, and were with difficulty restrained from whooping. The Pope looked at COLONEL CODY intently as he passed, and the great scout and Indian fighter bent low as he recieved the Pontifical benediction.
After the Thanksgiving Mass, with its grand choral accompaniment, and now and then the sound of Leo XIII's voice heard ringing through the chapel, the great audience poured out of the Vatican.
45
39 ROMAN WILD HORSES. TAMED BY COW-BOYS. RIDDEN IN FIVE MINUTES. HOW "BUFFALO BILL'S" COW-BOYS TAMED THE ROMAN WILD HORSES.
(Per the Commercial Cable to the "Herald.") ROME, 4TH MARCH, 1890.
All Rome was to-day astir over an attempt of "BUFFALO BILL'S" cow-boys with wild horses, which were provided for the occasion by the Prince of Sermoneta.
Several days past the Roman authorities have been busy with the erection of specialty cut barriers for the purpose of keeping back the wild horses from the crowds.
The animals are from the celebrated stud of the Prince of Sermoneta, and the Prince himself declared that no cow-boy in the world could ride these horses. The cow-boys laughed over this surmise, and then offered, at least, to undertake to mount one of them, if they might choose it.
Every man, woman and child expected that tow or three people would be killed by this attempt.
The anxiety and enthusiasm were great. Over 2,000 carriages were ranged round the field, and more than 20,000 people lined the spacious barrers. Lord Duffern and many other diplomatists were on the Terrace, and amongst Romans were presently seen the con sort of the Prime Minister Crispi, the Prince of Torlonia, Madame Depretis, Princess Colonna, Gravina Antonelli, the Baroness Reugis, Princess Brancaccia, Grave Giannotti, and critics from amongst the highest aristocracy. In five minutes the horses were tamed.
Two of the wild horses were driven without saddle or bridle in the Arena. "BUFFALO BILL" gave out that they would be tamed. The brutes made springs into the air, darted hither and thither in all directions, and bent themselves into all sorts of shapes, but all in vain.
In five minutes the cow-boys had caught the wild hores with the lasso, saddled, sub dued and bestrode them. Then the cow-boys rode them round the Arena, whilst the dense crowds of people applauded with delight.
AMERICAN WILD WEST EXHIBITION.
Editorial from the "London Times," Nov. 1, 1887--The American Exhibition, which has attracted all the town to West Brompton for the last few months, was brought yesterday to an appropriate and dignified close. A meeting of representative Englishmen and Americans was held, under the presidency of the Lord Lorne, in support of the movement for establishing a Court of Arbiration for the settlement of disputes between this country and the United States. At first sight it might seem to be a far cry from the Wild West to an international Court. Yet the connection is not really very remote. Exhibitions of American products and scenes from the wilder phases of American life certainly tend in some de gree at least to bring Ameri ica nearer to England. They are partly cause and partly effect. They are the effect of increased and in creasing intercourse be tween the two countries, and they tend to promote a still more intimate under standing. The two things, the Exhibition and the Wild West show, supple mented each other. Those who went to be amused often staid to be instructed. The Wild West, was irrest ible. COLONEL CODY sud denly found himself the hero of the London season.
THE FIGHTING CHIEF, KICKING BEAR, AND STAFF, CAMPAIGN 1891. PING RIDGE.