In the late 1800s, Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were quarantined and convalesced at Camp Wikoff in Montauk after fighting in Cuba.
According to a 1998 article in the New York Times about the 100 -year anniversary of the troops’ stay there, “the huge camp, which was spread over most of Montauk, lasted from mid-August to late October, 1898, while the men recovered from battle wounds, yellow fever, malaria and typhoid.”
“As was typical of wars of that era, more soldiers were felled by disease, poor medical care and bad food than by enemy bullets. In Cuba, the heat, abundant mosquitoes and poor sanitary conditions took a harsh toll,” the paper reported.
Below we present some images of when Montauk was home to “Roosevelt's Rough Riders and more than 20,000 other soldiers of the Army's Fifth Corps.”
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-det-4a15026 (digital file from original)]
Cavalry horses at Montauk Point. Detroit Publishing Co., publisher. 1898 or 1899.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-det-4a16622 (digital file from original)]
General Young at Montauk Point. Detroit Publishing Co., publisher. 1898 or 1899.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-ppmsca-37753 (digital file from original item)]
Theodore Roosevelt in conference, Rough Riders military camp, Montauk Point, New York. Photograph showing Theodore Roosevelt (center right) talking with another soldier while other troops are working with supplies or engaged in other activities, Montauk Point, New York.
Contributor: Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer. 1898.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-det-4a15025 (digital file from original)]
Boys of the 71st N.Y. at Montauk Point after return from Cuba. Detroit Publishing Co., publisher. 1898 or 1899.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-det-4a15022 (digital file from original)]
Boys of the 71st N.Y. at Montauk Point, after returning from Cuba. Detroit Publishing Co., publisher. 1898 or 1899.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-ppmsca-37758 (digital file from original item)]
Soldier on horseback, Rough Riders military camp, Montauk Point, New York. Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer. 1898.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-DIG-ppmsca-37760 (digital file from original item)]
Soldier standing at camp cook area, Rough Riders military camp, Montauk Point, New York. Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer. 1898.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. [LC-USZ62-92486 (b&w film copy neg.)]
Soldier and eagle mascot beside "H" Troop flag. Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer. 1898.
