This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSG Arch Kennedy (Reb)
to remember
Kennedy, J. Thomas, LTC.
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Contact Info
Home Town Moultrie, Georgia
Last Address 115 Kennedy Road Colquitt County, Georgia
Date of Passing Mar 26, 1936
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
1898-1898, 12C, 1st US Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders)
Chain of Command Served with the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment from May to September 1898, including all of its actions in Cuba.
Other Memories While still a Regular Army Cavalry officer, Captain Kennedy was assigned to the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment to assist in its training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas in May 1898. Becoming "permanently temporarily" attached to the newly nicknamed "Rough Riders" at the end of their month of intensive training, Kennedy spent time throughout the Regiment since he did not have a particular assignment. He spent the most time with Troop A. At the end of May the regiment boarded trains and went to Tampa, Florida, where they embarked on boats for Cuba, arriving at Daiquiri on June 23rd (exactly twenty years since the young Trooper Kennedy had participated in the Battle of Silver Creek). The regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, V Corps. The day after finally arriving, June 24th, 1898, the Rough Riders entered their first engagement as they fought in the Battle of Las Guasimas. After nearly a week, on July 1st, the regiment took part in the fight for which they became famous, the Battle of San Juan Hill (more properly termed the San Juan Heights, encompassing both San Juan and Kettle Hills). It was during this battle that the Commanding Officer of Troop A, Captain O'Neill, was killed-in-action and Captain Kennedy took command of the Troop. I will provide more information soon.
