Roosevelt, Archibald B. (Archibald Bulloch), 1894-1979

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt compliments Archibald Roosevelt on his promotion to captain. He cautions Archie against overworking himself and damaging his health. Roosevelt is disappointed in the inefficiency and unpreparedness of the military but the same problems existed during his service in the Spanish-American War. He believes that a regiment raised from volunteers at the outset would be superior to a regular regiment. Roosevelt continues to speak about speeding up the war and improving military training.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is proud of Archibald Roosevelt and his three brothers for their military service. Although Roosevelt agrees with Archie’s complaints about inefficiencies in the military, he cautions against being too vocal as it could make Archie’s situation more difficult. Roosevelt is seeing signs that the public is beginning to comprehend the extent of military shortages and inefficiencies. There has been some backlash against Roosevelt’s outspokenness on the war effort and he would like the government to move against him as it would only help carry his message farther. He concludes with updates on Roosevelt family members.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt has been making money with his writings and offers to send Archibald Roosevelt anything he needs or purchase supplies for Archie’s men. Roosevelt no longer feels in sympathy with the majority of the country. Even among Republicans, there are too many pacifists and “shortsighted reactionary materialists.” Roosevelt thinks he may be too extreme and all he wants to do is continue to work until his family is reunited. He hopes his work can “keep things going” until the end of the war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt agrees on the injustice of families paying for the “slothful and utterly selfish ambitions of a cold blooded and unprincipled demagogue.” After the war, he intends to write a truthful record of why the country entered the war so late and unprepared. Ethel Roosevelt Derby notes that she sent the letter at Roosevelt’s request even though he was too ill to finish.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-02-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt has been hospitalized due to complications related to the abscesses and fever he acquired on the Brazilian trip. He is comfortable and receiving “devoted attention.” When it appeared that he may not recover, the public was suddenly concerned about him and the fact that there would be no one left to speak the truth about the military situation. Roosevelt received the draft of Archibald Roosevelt’s letters compiled by Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt and believes them worthy of publication. He regrets that his illness prevents him from seeing Grace, who is pregnant. Roosevelt wants to see Generals Bliss, Crozier, and Sharpe removed from their positions for being “miracles of incompetency” during the lead up to the war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-02-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is overjoyed with the birth of Archibald Roosevelt’s son, also named Archibald. He regrets he was unable to see Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt before the baby was born, but Ethel Roosevelt Derby was there for the birth. After protests from William Emlen Roosevelt, Roosevelt has changed his mind about publishing Archie’s articles. He fears that the War Department could identify Archie as the author and cause him trouble. Roosevelt encloses a complimentary letter he received from one of the men in Archie’s company.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-02-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is “divided between pride and anxiety” after hearing that Archibald Roosevelt was awarded the Croix de guerre and wounded by shrapnel. Roosevelt will not do anything with regard to the War Department until instructed by Archie. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt led a toast in Archie’s honor after the news of his injury. Afterwards, she led everyone in breaking their glasses, saying, “That glass shall never be drunk out of again.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-03-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is trying to find the quickest way to send letters to his son Archibald Roosevelt, who is hospitalized in Europe. Archie has received a great deal of sympathy and support back home. Roosevelt offers words of encouragement for Archie’s recovery.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-03-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells Archie Roosevelt that he has read some of the letters written to Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt. He advises Archie not to say anything against his superior officers, since it could get back to them. He also suggests having some part of the letters to Gracie published. Roosevelt understands how hard trench warfare is and does not understand why Archie has not been promoted. He ends with news of the family.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying visiting family. Ted Roosevelt agrees with Archie about the French. Roosevelt discusses how the U.S. draft army is learning the basic skills with inadequate equipment.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt agrees that the Germans are not likely to revolt against their government due to the German character. He also blames the president for the lack of winter shoes for the troops in Europe and inadequate training equipment in the camps.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt wrote about Christmas day to Ted Roosevelt and asks that Archie Roosevelt read that letter as well. Roosevelt wonders if he can use his influence to help the troops at the front with the officer changes and to get winter shoes to the troops, but only if Archie wants him to do so. Eleanor can send him the information without going through the censors. Other troops need adequate clothes as well according to a visitor. Roosevelt believes the regular officers are too old and weak to be leading the army.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was thrilled to hear that General Pershing had recommended Archie Roosevelt for promotion. General Duncan also praised Archie and Ted Roosevelt. There is a coal shortage in New York. The drafted troops are still using wooden rifles and canons for training. Roosevelt is still trying to get shoes for the troops.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes of Edith Roosevelt sending her first typewritten letter, how pleased they with Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt and their other daughter-in-laws, of visits from various military men, the training of the national guard and how proud Roosevelt is of his sons.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-09-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Archie Roosevelt’s view of the war, although he does not think it will last as long as Archie does. Roosevelt writes of how the elderly regular officers are no longer suited for this war and how the volunteer troops are better prepared in his own unit. He also mentions how pleased they are with Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-09-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes that he hopes Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt does not feel obligated to visit. Richard Roosevelt is still ill and Ethel Roosevelt Derby is visiting. Roosevelt is sending his latest book to Archie and Gracie.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-09-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells Archie that he and Edith Roosevelt will be traveling west the next day. He assures Archie that he will speak to Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt (Archie’s wife) about Archie’s service in the army and the importance of Archie’s serving in a fighting role, not a staff position. He trusts Archie and Ted to decide whether to serve in the same regiment. Colonel Roosevelt expresses his pride in what he hears of Archie, and reflects on his own military service in Cuba, noting that he was “better than any colonel save one in the regulars before Santiago.” He closes by lamenting the lack of preparedness of the American military, which he attributes to the “criminal misconduct” of President Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-09-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes that Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt is visiting and understands the possible promotion Archie Roosevelt may receive. Roosevelt hopes Russia continues to make war. He also recently returned from a trip out west and bought a new horse.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-10-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt visits his friend Jack Cooper, a former boxer, and met some refuges from Germany. He tells Archie Roosevelt that Edith Roosevelt has received his two letters and that, if he had been allowed, Roosevelt would have raised the divisions. General Duncan wrote to Roosevelt to praise Archie.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-10-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt received three of Archie Roosevelt’s letters at once. Roosevelt will write an editorial concerning the Y.M.C.A., since he does not approve of men using the organization to avoid military service. It is good that Generals Wood, Pershing and Duncan are in charge of the war effort. Roosevelt will be returning home the following day.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-10-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919