Courage Boys, a new segment on The Glenn Beck Program, features stories to inspire and leave you feeling hopeful. In this age of social media and unprecedented access and sharing, it’s easy to feel insignificant and under attack — like you can’t make a difference. But the truth is you can — we all can.
By sharing stories of courage and strength, we can use the technology at our fingertips to spread encouragement and confidence. Making a difference is not only possible, but something we’re all capable of accomplishing.
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Charge!
He was a volunteer with no prior military experience. His wife and kids were back in America — and he came for action. He wanted to prove mettle, just like the generation before in the Civil War.
Over 23,000 men had applied to his unit, but only 1,000 were taken. They were called the Rough Riders by somebody in the press because most of them were cowboys, hunters, wilderness scouts and Indians. Confederates, even. But they also took a few Ivy Leaguers, including Harvard's own starting quarterback.
Now they were caught in the middle of crossfire in a valley with Americans on one side, the Spanish on the other. Bullets zipping overhead. The hills on either side were called Kettle and San Juan. The flinty cowboys and their steely-eyed Indians were already more than a little pissed off that their horses were left in Florida for lack of ships. They were now foot soldiers forced to run. Only their captain Teddy had a horse. It was both an asset and a liability to the man, as he was now the biggest target on the battlefield.
Roosevelt proclaimed himself next in command. He wasted no time and sent for orders from the general on another hill. He called to the regs and the volunteers and spurred his horse, firing his revolver as he rode in front of the volunteers. The regulars, not to be outdone, also charged.
Between the waves of Spanish fire, men hollered and cheered as they charged the hill. The Rough Riders were a sight to behold in their sombreros with blue polka dotted handkerchief tied around their necks.
Men were falling on all sides as they charged, but they never slowed down. American Gatling guns began to sound from the surrounding hills. Reinforcements had arrived. Inspired by the help, the Rough Riders pushed once more to take Kettle Hill. Spanish gunfire erupted from San Juan Hill, just across the little valley.
Without warning, Roosevelt, whose horse was taken out by now, took off on a sprint towards San Juan Hill, crying, "Charge!"
It was a turning point in the war and for America, as the sons of Confederates fought side by side with the sons of Union soldiers in a common cause. The men took San Juan Hill, and eventually won the Spanish-American War.