Why has the battle of gettysburg been called " the most crucial battle in american history "? a. it was a turning point in the civil war. b. it was the first time the north was invaded. c. it was the bloodiest battle in american history. d. it was won by the confederate army.

in 1897, pershing became a tactical officer at west point, and that's where he was given the nickname "black jack." pershing's first name is "john," for which "jack" is a nickname, and he was a white man who commanded black troops. hence "black jack".

the most famous of all the units fighting in cuba, the "rough riders" was the name given to the first u.s. volunteer cavalry under the leadership of theodore roosevelt. roosevelt resigned his position as assistant secretary of the navy in may 1898 to join the volunteer cavalry. the original plan for this unit called for filling it with men from the indian territory, new mexico, arizona, and oklahoma. however, once roosevelt joined the group, it quickly became the place for a mix of troops ranging from ivy league athletes to glee-club singers to texas rangers and indians.