Final answer:
The Rough Riders were a diverse group of volunteers led by Colonel Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt, famous for their role in the Spanish-American War. They were supported by African American Buffalo Soldiers, critical to their success at the Battle of San Juan Hill.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rough Riders is best described as a diverse group of volunteers. Organized to fight in the Spanish-American War, the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, known colloquially as the Rough Riders, was a motley group with members ranging from Ivy League athletes to Western cowboys. The unit did not include African Americans but ironically fought alongside the African American Buffalo Soldiers who played a pivotal role in the success of their campaigns. Despite their diverse makeup, the Rough Riders were not a paid arm of the military, nor were they an all-white militia or a group of politicians and lawmakers.
Under the leadership of Colonel Leonard Wood with assistance from Theodore Roosevelt, they became famous for their charge at San Juan Hill, although they arrived in Cuba without their horses and fought predominantly on foot. The Buffalo Soldiers provided crucial support during the battles and five received the Medal of Honor for their valor. The contribution of these African American soldiers was immense, and their valor was recognized despite the racial tensions and discrimination of that era.