Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927

President Roosevelt tells General Wood about the plans for his African safari, and asks if Wood might release Edgar Alexander Mearns to go. Mearns is an army surgeon who promised to accompany Wood wherever he was posted, but Mearns’s skill as a surgeon and a naturalist would be great additions to the expedition. Roosevelt thinks Wood will have a friend in Secretary of War Luke E. Wright.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Leonard Wood that he is glad the German invitation turned out all right. Roosevelt told Hermann Speck von Sternburg about the situation, and said that while he hoped that Wood could be present, he understood if it was not possible. Roosevelt is pleased that German Emperor William II remembered Wood, and was able to do as Wood hoped. The Republican National Convention went well, and Roosevelt believes that they will be able to elect William H. Taft as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Leonard Wood that Luke E. Wright will be the new Secretary of War, and asks him to write to Wright with any reservations he may have. Roosevelt asks if Wood has anything special that he thinks Roosevelt should say in his final message to Congress. He explains some of his plans for going on a safari once he leaves the presidency, as well as his possible travels through Europe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends General Wood an excerpt of a letter from New York Herald correspondent Josiah Kingsley Ohl. Thanks to Ohl’s letter, another correspondent at the paper, who has always been critical of Wood, decided to support the general.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has recently returned from a trip to Groton School, and remarked to President Roosevelt about how well liked and respected Leonard R. Wood is throughout the school. Roosevelt would like to hear such news about his own children, so he wanted to write to General Leonard Wood to tell him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt instructs General Wood to give Manila paymaster Major Beecher B. Ray four months leave.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Major General Wood for his report. He particularly appreciates Wood’s thoughts on improvements in infantry service and agrees with him concerning marches. Roosevelt looks forward to seeing him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has arranged for Governor of Moro Province Wood, a general staff officer, and an aide to attend the upcoming military maneuvers in Honan, Philippines. He is glad Wood is willing to have General Frank Ross McCoy. Roosevelt is unsure how the trouble in Cuba will turn out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells General Wood that he recently spoke with Gordon Johnston, a former rough rider, who is “full of enthusiasm about [Wood] and not a little disgusted with the attitude of the southern Democrats in Congress,” who disapprove of Wood’s actions in the Philippines fighting the Moro bandits. Roosevelt has been resting this summer, although he sprained his ankle and has not gotten as much exercise as he wished. He feels that politically he has been successful the past several years, but “it is about time for the swing of the pendulum,” and comments on the strength of the Democratic party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs General Wood that he mentioned to Oscar Straus that Wood had told him that former president Grover Cleveland expressed regret about vetoing the immigration bill. Straus then called on Cleveland, who denied having said such a thing. Roosevelt asks Wood for the facts of the case for his own information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has received Major General Wood’s letter enclosing a copy of a general order Wood issued and approves of the sort of instructions Wood is issuing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt was glad to receive several letters from Leonard Wood. He does not believe that the United States will send an expedition to China, but wished to be prepared in case it became necessary. He agrees with Wood’s assessment of the number of troops that would be necessary for such an operation, as well as his opinion regarding the desirability of using some Filipino troops. Roosevelt thanks Wood for the information about Horatio C. Pollock, and advises imprisoning him if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt congratulates General Wood and his men for “the brilliant feat of arms” in which they upheld the honor of the American flag.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt does not intend to remove General Wood from his post until the date indicated unless Wood’s health changes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt agrees with General Wood’s assessment that it is necessary for the United States to have a navy superior to every other navy in the world if it wants to retain the Philippines. However, it is difficult to get Congress to agree on such matters. Roosevelt believes that Japan will not be a threat to the Philippines at present given the current international politics. Roosevelt also states he would never approve legislation allowing Chinese labor into the United States. Wood’s assessment about legislation for the Philippines amused Roosevelt, because shipping laws of the United States do not apply to the islands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

After hearing that the tropical climate of the Philippines has affected General Wood’s head wound, President Roosevelt has made arrangements that will allow Wood to travel to Europe to rest and recover after he has had command in the Philippines for two or three months. Roosevelt intends to carry out this plan unless Wood gives him satisfactory reasons, that he is willing to accept, as to why he should not do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt were glad to hear from General Wood. Roosevelt is taking up the publication of Young’s letter, although he doubts if it will be worthwhile. He sends Wood a copy of a letter from Consul General of Cuba Frank Maximilian Steinhart and says he has asked Secretary of State Elihu Root to look into the matter. Roosevelt was pleased with Frank Ross McCoy’s “fine showing.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks General Wood for the note and telegram, and comments how greatly he enjoyed seeing Wood briefly. Roosevelt found that he already dismissed Consul Daniel S. Kidder for drunkenness after receiving a report from Ambassador William Woodville Rockhill. He will ask the War Department to recommend the one-year reenlistment plan to Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt will not bind General Wood by giving a definite order, as that would do more harm than good, but he strongly discourages Wood from taking risks. He will wait some weeks and then invite Wood and his wife, Louise Adriana Wood, to visit him at Sagamore Hill where they can make the decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927

Publication Date

2025-08-07