Armed Forces--Officers--Promotions

This article discusses Theodore Roosevelt’s return to the front with a promotion as Lieutenant-Colonel.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1918-10-26

Creator(s)

Johnson, Thomas M. (Thomas Marvin), 1889-

President Roosevelt does not think it will be possible to promote Hugh Lenox Scott, as the senate military committee has said that they will not confirm anyone below the level of full colonel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt discusses the considerations for and against the promotion of Lieutenant Walker with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry. Roosevelt concludes that Walker is professionally qualified for promotion, if he gets his drinking under control. In a postscript, Roosevelt asks Newberry to bring a report on the recently concluded Newport Naval Conference and outlines his thoughts on the construction of the battleships Florida and Utah.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Simon Bolivar Buckner that he has written to the War Department that he desires Taylor to sit for the next examination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Robert James Lowry that the Senate Committee has notified him that they cannot confirm the appointment of lieutenant colonels to brigadier generals, and in fact Roosevelt has been told not to try it again, so he has not reviewed Colonel Samuel R. Jones’ case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has sent Grafton St. Loe Abbott’s letter to Postmaster General George Von Lengerke Meyer. He wishes he could do what Abbott requests, but has had to refuse many similar requests as President. Varying from his rule about appointing sons of army and navy officers would make him unable to reward officers who have earned ranks on merit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt was happy to appoint Charles Morton brigadier-general. However, the promotion was made on his personal initiative and he does not believe he can make Morton a major general.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt asks that Lieutenant Commander Andrew T. Long be detailed as an Executive Officer in the Great White Fleet under Admiral Robley D. Evans if it does not do any injustice to someone currently holding the position. Roosevelt also suggests giving Commander Harry Herbert Hosley command of the New Hampshire when it is ready and Long could become Supervisor of the Harbor of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is concerned about negative feelings between line officers and medical officers in the Navy. He wants to know why the Personnel Board recommended an increase in the amount of time before a commissioned medical officer is allowed to become a lieutenant, as the Navy is in need of more young surgeons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Senator John H. Mitchell insists that William McKinley had promised his son an appointment as captain in the Quartermaster’s Department but there is no record of such a promise. President Roosevelt would like young Mitchell to be made a first lieutenant if he does well on the examination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt will look into the case of Senator Pritchard’s son. However, Roosevelt does not interfere in the appointment of candidates to First Lieutenant and has directed the War Department to make assignments based on merit only.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has received many requests to exert his influence in the appointment of first lieutenants. It has given Roosevelt great pleasure to be able to say that the War Department is grading candidates purely on their merits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt may be unable to meet Charles Morgan’s request for Colonel Leonard. Roosevelt thinks Leonard is a good fellow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Senator Lodge brings several small matters to President Roosevelt’s attention about Senator William E. Chandler resigning from the Spanish Treaty Claims Commission, interviews that Lodge has had with blenders of whiskey who feel they have been misrepresented by the journalist, Henry Beach Needham, and that Philip Hildreth Reade ought to be promoted to Brigadier General in the United States Army. Lodge also mentions that he gave an off-hand speech encouraging people to support the Republican ticket, but it had been misrepresented in the papers. The senator closes by including a quotation from a man who believed that Roosevelt was a drunkard and addicted to morphine and that his family constantly stays with him to prevent others from discovering his condition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Douglas Robinson has followed William Loeb’s instructions by depositing $5,000.00 into President Roosevelt’s bank account. Robinson asks for Loeb’s help in securing Paul J. Corn a chance to take the examinations to become a second lieutenant. Corn comes recommended by his captain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-15

Creator(s)

Robinson, Douglas, 1855-1918

Senator Proctor writes to President Roosevelt to clarify his opinion on the promotion of military officers. Proctor does not recommend appointments based on statehood or individual desires; rather, he recommends the best person for the position. Proctor believes that Eugene Frederick Ladd would be an excellent choice due to his service in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Creator(s)

Proctor, Redfield, 1831-1908

Scudday Richardson sends President Roosevelt an article describing his strength in the nation and asks, “when the next war breaks out,” to be given a commission in the cavalry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-12

Creator(s)

Richardson, Scudday, 1871-1933

Major Kuhn has been transferred to the Second Army and his application to go to Port Arthur has been refused again. Kuhn feels he would be more useful there and is “keenly disappointed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-13

Creator(s)

Kuhn, Joseph Ernst, 1864-1935

President Roosevelt watches naval officers rush forward, shouting, “Double Quick.” Beside him is a sign that reads, “To Promotion. Wanted–More Naval Officers–Get in Young and Get More Experience–Commander in Chief.” Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf stands on a boat labeled “The U.S. Navy” and says, “Them’s My Sentiments.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-20

Colonel Murray recommends Edward T. Donnelly for an appointment as a Lieutenant in the Regular Army.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-12-31

Creator(s)

Murray, Arthur, 1851-1925