Original Spanish-American War Rough Riders Photo Colon Boneyard Teddy?

Original Spanish-American War Rough Riders Cabinet Photograph Colon Boneyard

Don’t miss your chance to own one of the most impressive original photos from the Spanish-American War!

This cabinet photograph was brought back from Cuba by Private William L. Cottmire of the 2nd US Volunteer Engineers Battalion in 1899 per the inscription on the backside. It appears the inscription was originally noted in pencil and was rewritten in pen. It is unknown if Private Cottmire is in the photograph or if he had taken the photograph of the group of men.

It features American troops posing with skeletons from the infamous boneyard of the Colon Cemetery of Havana Cuba. A historically significant photo as there are likely less than ten original photos of troops in the boneyard! The boneyard was a common attraction among American troops due to the allure of the large pile of bones in the middle of the city. 

Most striking about this photograph is the the 2nd squatting man in the first row looks very similar to that of President Theodore Roosevelt. Pictured with eyeglasses, mustache, and the only one adorned with a bandana around his neck (a common article worn by TR during the war)...it raises the question! I’ve included a few zoomed in high resolution photos as well as an overlap photo with another photo of Teddy in the war. You be the judge!

An excellent photograph an undoubtedly great conversation starter!

Photo measures approximately 9" x 7"

Photo was clipped on the upper left corner and has four creases in it, see photos.