Your TR Source
As Roosevelt runs for governor, a fellow soldier’s anecdotes of the battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War are reported in the newspaper.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1898-08-03
Typed excerpt from Chapter VII of Theodore Roosevelt’s Autobiography, The War of America the Unready, in which he reviews his actions during the battle for the San Juan Hills.
1913
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 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 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 say he received his letters about the big fight and how proud he is of him. He says Archie Roosevelt is coming home because his wounds necessitate another operation and the British have loaned transport ships so more troops are coming to the front. Roosevelt says General Leonard Wood has been treated unjustly and Roosevelt will continue to preach for speeding up the war.
1918-06-25
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
An unknown report from a telegram detailing the conditions of an attack from the Japanese Manchurian Army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-11
A diminutive soldier labeled “France” stands next to a large Russian bear gesturing with a sword toward John Bull standing opposite, while a battle rages in the background labeled “Transvaal” (the South African lands of the Republic and the Orange Free State). Caption: France–You may be able to whip the Boers, but I dare you to tackle the Russian Bear!
Through the 19th century, France and Russia formed several alliances — some secret, some quite public; some to counter potential German or British aggression. Around 1900, the two nations considered Great Britain a threat, especially as London formed an alliance with Japan (1902) that emboldened Japan as it threatened Russia in the Pacific. That situation led to the Russo-Japanese War, which was ultimately meditated by Theodore Roosevelt. Also at this time, the Kaiser became belligerent against France when it denied German trade access to Morocco — a situation also diffused by Roosevelt’s mediation — with Russia and Britain both nervously looking on. At the time of this cartoon, the Franco-Russian alliance still viewed Great Britain as a potential common enemy.
Dana Wright camped near the Diamond C Ranch to study the Sully battlefield near Killdeer Mountain. The owner agreed to donate an acre for the placement of a marker. Wright is currently in the hospital with a jaw problem.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1953-09-16
Historian Chester L. Brooks is working on identifying the “water hole battle” and where General Sully’s Native American guide was shot. He requests Ray W. Lingk’s help in obtaining a diary by Mrs. Wright which may contain information on the Sully Trail.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1953-12-02
After looking over the maps suggested by Historian Chester L. Brooks, Ray W. Lingk believes that the battle was fought at Square Butte and that the Sully Expedition traveled south of Flat Top Butte and north of Sentinel Butte.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1953-07-06
Harmon Olstad found some old army cartridges northeast of Square Top Butte which may help corroborate Historian Chester L. Brooks’s findings that General Sully’s skirmish was near the water hole east of the butte.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1953-09-16
Theodore Roosevelt directs Arthur G. Chapman to contact Admiral French Ensor Chadwick and Colonel Herbert H. Sargent for more information. He has nothing new to say about the battle besides what he wrote in his reports and book on the Rough Riders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-14
Theodore Roosevelt thanks John A. Herman for the book. Roosevelt discusses the battles of San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-14
Theodore Roosevelt dismisses Willis G. Brinson’s doubts about his service record by asking Brinson to look at the last chapter of his autobiography, which is available in any public library. Roosevelt points to the report in which his superior officer recommended him for a Medal of Honor for his leadership of not only his men but the entire cavalry division in the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. The Rough Riders sustained their heaviest losses while Roosevelt was leading them, first on horseback, and then on foot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-14
President Roosevelt believes it is too early to know that Russia will win the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt wants to know what Wayne MacVeagh has said.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-19
President Roosevelt thinks Hosea Ballou Morse’s letter is interesting and “substantially true” but does not believe in “Japan’s invincibility in war.” Roosevelt makes comparisons to the armies of other nations and battles from other wars.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
President Roosevelt responds to allegations that diminished his role in the Battle of San Juan Hill. For clarification, Roosevelt offers Fleming a copy of The Rough Riders and cites accounts written by other officers on the scene.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-18
Emilie Christinet shares Roosevelt’s interest in reading battle accounts. However, he finds it difficult to view events clearly. He proposes projecting an image of the battlefield and using a magnet to move the armies. He asks Roosevelt to share and possibly patent his idea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-25