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William E. Ray, a veteran and longtime Republican, argues that veterans should receive larger pensions and preferential treatment in government jobs. He uses his own case to illustrate that able-bodied men who never served in the military sometimes succeed in retaining jobs that veterans could fill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-28
Henry Nehemiah Burhans, president of the Veteran Association of Onondaga County, regrets that Vice President Roosevelt cannot accept their invitation. He reiterates the extensive planning for the county’s veterans reunion and notes that thousands of veterans will likely be involved. Burhans and the veterans want Roosevelt to open their reunion and will allow him to select the date.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-29
Sebastian Kerber summarizes his war record and difficulties with the Pension Board. He thanks Vice President Roosevelt for offering to look into his case, but declines as his appeal is pending.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-24
On behalf of the Veteran Association of Onondaga County, Henry Nehemiah Burhans invites Vice President Roosevelt to attend a reunion of Civil War veterans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-24
William H. Altman sends Vice President Roosevelt some papers and “relics” he obtained from Roosevelt’s saddlebag and haversack while he was working at the Rock Island Arsenal, where equipment from Roosevelt’s troops were received for repairs after the troops returned from Cuba. Altman explains that he comes from “fighting stock,” gives a list of relatives who have served as soldiers, and asks for a remembrance from Roosevelt. Altman offers to send Roosevelt a copy of Rock Island Arsenal: In Peace and In War, if he does not already have one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-02-27
Bradley T. Johnson has received Governor Roosevelt’s book The Rough Riders and calls it a “graphic story of a gallant feat” and compares the experience with his own charge at “The Rail Road Cut,” during the Civil War. Johnson discusses hunting, Roosevelt’s re-election campaign, and sends his love to the Roosevelt family. Johnson also mentions that he will speak with Senator Lodge around Christmas about getting Roosevelt a medal of honor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1899-08-07
Major General Sickles urges United States military veterans to set aside partisan differences to oppose the election of the Democratic Party’s candidate for the 1896 presidential election, William Jennings Bryan. Sickles primarily denounces Bryan on the issue of replacing the gold standard with a looser silver standard, which will, according to Sickles, allow debtors to pay off creditors and government bonds with less valuable currency, defrauding many veterans and army widows of the value of their pensions. Sickles considers this an unconstitutional attack on the public credit, a move towards Populist mob-rule. Sickles also accuses Bryan of encouraging the type of sectionalism that sparked the American Civil War. Although Sickles identifies as a Democrat himself, he denounces the platform and candidate, Bryan, approved at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and voices support for the Republican Candidate, William McKinley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1896-07
Transcript of speeches at the Democratic National Convention by August Belmont, chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Governor Horatio Seymour, president of the convention; and William Bigler, temporary chairman of the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1864-08-29
Details of William C. Allen’s military service during the Civil War, including his enlistment, capture and imprisonment, release through exchange, return to service, and eventual discharge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1865-06-20
Mary H. Sumner Long is sending to Theodore Roosevelt a copy of the Memoirs of General Robert E. Lee, written by her husband, General A. L. Long. She was inspired to send the book because of the “beautiful tribute” Roosevelt paid the General in his biography of Thomas Hart Benton. Sumner Long explains that some critics have charged her husband with partiality, but she thinks Roosevelt will agree that the biographer has done justice to Lee’s “genius as a soldier” and his “character as a man.” She then tells Roosevelt that she is one of his greatest admirers and loves reading his articles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1887-11-22
Basil Wilson Duke, a Confederate officer during the American Civil War, commends Theodore Roosevelt on his biography of Thomas Hart Benton.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1888-05-19
Reprint of an address delivered at Columbus, Ohio, on April 11 and April 17, 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, by the Adjutant-General of Ohio. Originally printed by Harris & Hurd, Columbus, OH, 1861.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911
Transcript copy of a letter acknowledging receipt of the Congressional Pamphlet laws, and inquiring about members of his former Cabinet, particularly Secretary of War Joseph Holt and Attorneys General Jeremiah Black and Edwin M. Stanton. Buchanan expresses confidence that his administration can stand any test, despite a supposition that there may be an investigation regarding Fort Sumter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1861-04-30
President Lincoln sends condolences to Mrs. Bixby on the loss of five sons who fought in the Civil War. This copy of the letter was sent by Berry Brothers, Ltd., Varnish Manufacturers, Detroit, “with the feeling that every home, where it hangs upon the wall, will, in some way, be bettered.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1864-11-21