Teddy was the only POTUS to serve under a Confederate general in time of war. During the Spanish-American war he was under the command of Fighting Joe Wheeler. I guess that by the time the Spanish-American War rolled around our Government figured that old Fighting Joe had been properly reconstructed and was called on to serve.


Joseph Wheeler served in two armies, playing a major role in the development of Confederate cavalry in the Civil War's western theater. ... first major engagement of the Spanish-American War he is rumored to have seen the Spaniards running away and to have yelled, 'Come on, we've got the damn Yankees on the run!'

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&...VzsrjCfr0d