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Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the honor of him serving in General John J. Pershing’s army and the state of peace negotiations. He gives updates on Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Archie Roosevelt.
1918-11-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit that Mother received a letter from Belle about the christening of Joseph Willard and he has heard of Kermit’s part in the latest war action. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie Roosevelt and says he heard Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s husband Richard has aged a great deal in the war.
1918-12-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him Ted Roosevelt’s wife Eleanor has arrived and told him Kermit’s battery was attached to Ted’s regiment. Roosevelt reviews all the action Kermit has seen in the war and tell him how proud he is of him. He adds that Archie Roosevelt has written a small book about his experiences in the first year of the war.
1918-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit after returning home from seven weeks in the hospital with rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica. He says he can only hobble a few yards. He provides updates on Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Archie Roosevelt and the grandchildren. Roosevelt asks Kermit to write him about his experiences in the Argonne and the march to the Rhine river. He closes by saying he hopes Kermit will be home soon, unless President Woodrow Wilson does something to his own selfish advantage.
1918-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the lack of equipment at military training camps for which he blames President Woodrow Wilson and his administration. He says Ted and Archie Roosevelt have been praised for their work in the trenches and Ethel Roosevelt Derby is staying at the house.
1917-12-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit that he is concerned Kermit has not received any of his letters. He advises Kermit that if it is feasible he should get into the American army in France come summer. Roosevelt criticizes President Woodrow Wilson and complains about the unpreparedness of the drafted men and their lack of equipment. He says the general public are ignorant of military and international matters.
1917-12-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report that Archie Roosevelt is being made a captain and General Duncan said Ted was the best battalion commander in the brigade. He says there is a coal famine among the poor, congested transportation and threatened food supplies for which he blames President Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt encloses a copy of his new year address.
1918-01-01
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about a letter from Ted Roosevelt’s wife Eleanor and about walking across the frozen harbor to the light house. He says he keeps making speeches and writing in an effort to produce more activity from President Woodrow Wilson’s administration toward the war. Roosevelt writes about playing with the grandchildren as well.
1918-01-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to criticize President Woodrow Wilson for a lack of military preparedness and reports a Congressional investigation has shown Secretary of War Newton D. Baker’s inefficiency. Roosevelt says he continues to write and make speeches in an effort to spur Wilson into taking more action.
1918-01-14
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to express his joy at the birth of Kermit’s son Joseph. He reports that railroad congestion reached such a point that all factories, theaters and such were shut for five days to save fuel for the trains. He criticizes President Woodrow Wilson and the War Department for their lack of preparation for the war and says he continues to make speeches about following the war through to the end and creating a policy of obligatory military training.
1918-01-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the unhappiness of Archie, Quentin and Theodore Roosevelt regarding their circumstances in the war right now. He talks of taking a trip to Washington with Edith to visit Alice and Nick Longworth. He says Tommy Hitchcock thanked him for helping shore up conditions in the military training camps.
1918-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to congratulate him for his duty in battle. He questions whether they will see a German offensive. Roosevelt says he continues to say unpopular truths and many call him a scold but he will not stop until the war is won. He closes by saying he is going to write Belle.
1918-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about a visit from Walter R. Lawrence and discusses how the British tend to “butter up” Americans. The sketch of Kermit made by Philip de Laszlo came. Ethel Roosevelt Derby writes a postscript saying Roosevelt could not finish the letter because he was taken ill but is now comfortable.
1918-02-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the birth of Archie Roosevelt’s son, Archie. He marvels at having eight grandchildren. He reports that Major General Henry T. Allen came to visit and spoke well of Ted, Archie, and Quentin Roosevelt. He comments on the new Bolshevik government in Russia.
1918-02-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a visit from Edmund Heller who is now engaged to be married. They have not heard from Archie Roosevelt yet regarding the cables they sent about the birth of his son. Roosevelt writes how the Bolsheviks are ruining Russia and how Senator George Chamberlain’s investigation into the War Department is finally producing some changes. He encloses two extracts of letters regarding Quentin Roosevelt.
1918-03-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report that Tommy Hitchcock was taken prisoner by the Germans and Archie Roosevelt was injured by shrapnel in the legs. He also broke his arm and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by a French general.
1918-03-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is pleased Kermit was transferred to a motor machine gun battery. General Leonard Wood visited after being at the front and says equipment and supplies are needed. Archie Roosevelt is recovering from his wounds nicely.
1918-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to advise him about approaching his superiors regarding a transfer to France. He also details the injuries Archie Roosevelt sustained. Roosevelt delivered a speech in Maine and reiterates how unprepared for war the military was.
1918-04-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the latest German offensive and visiting Archie Roosevelt’s wife Gracie and their new baby. He has enclosed a newspaper clip of the occasion. He says Archie’s wounding garnered a lot of attention in America. Roosevelt tells stories about two of his grandchildren, Richard and Edie and says Colonel Rondon was awarded the gold medal by the American Geographic Society.
1918-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit he wrote a letter to the War Department requesting a place for Kermit with the army in France. He does not know how it will be received, given President Woodrow Wilson’s feelings toward Roosevelt and General Leonard Wood. He received a letter from Archie Roosevelt in the hospital, and also letters from Ted Roosevelt and Colonel Rondon.
1918-04-14