Transcription from the historical marker:

Two weeks after was declared on Spain, 85 volunteers, mostly members of the Territorial National Guard, on May 5, 1898 filled the Territory’s quota as Troop A of First United States Volunteer Cavalry, the famed “Rough Riders.”

Examined and issued orders from “Camp George W. Steele” in the McKay Building, 103 East Harrison, they were sworn into federal service on the vacant lots across the street. There was much fanfare; the City of Guthrie also presented a horse to Capt. Robert B. Huston, troop commander. They were joined at San Antonio, Texas by units from Arizona and New Mexico Territories for brief training before fighting as dismounted Troop D at the July 1 and 2, 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill under Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who later visited veterans of the troop in Guthrie.

In response to the clamor to serve, formation of the First Territorial Volunteer Infantry allowed more Guardsmen to enlist for the Territorial quota. Guthrie’s group was joined by men from Pawnee to make Company 1. After mustering ceremonies on the vacant lots, the company marched under command of Capt. Harry C. Barnes to the depot to entrain for Fort Reno. They were joined by four other companies from Oklahoma and Indian Territories. Later, units from Arizona and New Mexico joined them for training in Kentucky and Georgia before they were mustered out of service in February 1899.