PRESCOTT, Ariz., June 23--The few remaining Rough Riders of the Spanish-American War began assembling today for their fiftieth anniversary reunion.
    What may be their last gathering will open tomorrow in the home town of their great hero, Capt. William Owen (Bucky) O'Neill, who was killed in the First Volunteer Cavalry's famous charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.
    Mrs. Pauline O'Neill of Hollywood, Calif., 84-year-old widow of Bucky, was guest at a dinner last night.
    Harman E. Wynkoop, secretary-treasurer of the celebration, said he received reservations from sixty-two of the 107 surviving Rough Riders.

Source:

Unknown, "Rough Riders Assemble for 50-Year Reunion," The New York Times, New York, Thursday, 24 June 1948, p. 13.

Photo from personal collection of Christopher H. Wynkoop.

    The photo which accompanies this article is from the Roughriders Reunion of 1952 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, two years after the reunion described in the article above. Only 25 soldiers attended the 1952 reunion, down considerably from the 62 expected in 1950. Time and illness had thinned their ranks with ruthless efficiency.

    I'd like to thank my brother Geoff for making me a present of the postcard that this picture was taken from. It was quite a find and I'm extremely grateful Geoff. Thank you so much.

    All my best,

    Chris