Courts-martial and courts of inquiry

President Roosevelt tells Senator Knox that he will research the case of Lieutenant Commander Patrick William Hourigan. Roosevelt recalls that he stood up for Hourigan to President William McKinley during his court martial case in 1900 for being intoxicated on duty. Roosevelt suspects that if Hourigan has remained sober, that he can probably “restore him his numbers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-07

It is President Roosevelt’s opinion that no officer should ever be surprised. If a detachment is surprised, the commanding officer should be tried by court-martial.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-01

Captain Cowles will not face a court-martial for the Missouri–Illinois collision even though the court of inquiry criticized Cowles. The decision goes against recent precedent that an officer should face a court-martial even if the court of inquiry recommends no further action. There is growing dissatisfaction among naval officers regarding the decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-02

Major John E. Baxter vouches for the good moral character of Captain David B. Mulliken during his time of service on the island of Panay in the Philippines .

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-12

The Roosevelt administration is attempting to end the “nonsensical controversy” surrounding the Battle of Santiago. Admiral Sampson’s request for a hearing was rejected and General Miles was rebuked for publicly criticizing the naval court.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

The Department of the Navy has considered the Court of Inquiry findings regarding the Bennington explosion, agreeing with most points except that the Bennington was in excellent condition. The explosion was partially caused by neglect and improper maintenance of at least one boiler valve. The actions of all men during the disaster are commended.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-29

“I have your letter of the 9th inst., and shall sign that land grant just as soon as it comes before me. By the way, I am very much afraid I shall have to court martial Col. Bacon. I am reluctant to do so unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-06-12

Three elderly naval officers question the spirit of John Paul Jones regarding the “Navy Dept. vs. Jones” for charges of conduct during the Revolutionary War, such as “Item 962 concerning the charge of cowardice” and “Did you get a rake-off in the Grog contract?” A map on the wall in the background shows “the loop of the Bonhomme Richard.” The cartoonist is spoofing a court of inquiry requested by Admiral Winfield Scott Schley following accusations regarding his conduct during the Battle of Santiago. Caption: Chairman of Paul Jones Inquiry Board — Captain Jones, did you or did you not say, “Damn the Alliance! Let her take care of herself!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The actual context of Joseph Keppler’s cover cartoon in Puck was not much as the four-year-old controversy between Winfield Scott Schley and William T. Sampson in the naval battle of Santiago Bay in Spanish-American War. Both were rear admirals (Schley Acting at the time), but Sampson was Schley’s superior officer. A book published after the war accused Schley of lassitude, insubordination, and cowardice in following (or not) orders at sea.

Leman O. Conley writes to Edith Roosevelt that Quentin Roosevelt had him court-martialed in France. He praises Quentin, and offers Edith Roosevelt a gold star marker he has developed.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1926-07-22

Theodore Roosevelt is impressed with Major Parker’s article and describes it as an “exhaustive study.” However, the article is too long to be used in the press. Roosevelt is also concerned that the public would not understand the article and that its publication could risk a court-martial. He suggests that the article only be discussed among experts. Roosevelt believes in universal military service and thinks that Parker’s plan could work alongside such a policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-09

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Major Parker’s article published, but does not want Parker to put himself in danger of a court-martial. Roosevelt finds the order to prevent the United States Army and United States Navy from speaking to the public inappropriate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-22

President Roosevelt has gone over the matter Harris H. Dodge raised, but does not believe that anything more can be done at the moment. Lieutenant Walker “has made one serious slip,” and Roosevelt believes he should serve his punishment longer before the balance is remitted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-01

President Roosevelt tells Mrs. Evans that he will intervene in the court-martial of her son, Lieutenant Franck Taylor Evans. Roosevelt knows Lt. Evans to be a good person and good officer, and will therefore attempt to lighten his penalty. He advises that the Evanses should not proclaim innocence, for it weakens their case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

President Roosevelt is confused and angered by the message Commander Key is trying to send about his opinion on the administration of the Navy, and cautions Key against disobeying his order. He takes exception with Key’s previous claim that Roosevelt has been misinformed regarding the Newport conference, and points out that the opinions of those Key identifies with are often proven to be wrong. Roosevelt is not yet certain whether there should be a court-martial placed on Key, but he claims it may be necessary to reduce any harm he may cause the Navy. Roosevelt also discusses the construction of a new type of naval ship he has been overseeing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

President Roosevelt shares Commander Albert L. Key’s letter with Secretary of the Navy Newberry. Roosevelt is unsure whether a court-martial is appropriate, but believes “action of a drastic kind should be taken” against Admiral W. L. Capps, Admiral Philip R. Alger, and Key for their public statements about the Department of the Navy. Roosevelt also requests that Newberry report back on the accusations against Capps.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

President Roosevelt tells Theodore P. Shonts that he does not interfere with the War Department regarding officers threatened with court-martial. Roosevelt has heard of Lieutenant Mitchell several times, but never favorably.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-02

President Roosevelt has read the letter from Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver, as well as the letter from Judge Advocate General of the Army George B. Davis. In Roosevelt’s opinion, the court-martials of Lieutenants John J. Moller and Claire R. Bennett were “an outrageous miscarriage of justice.” Roosevelt wishes he had the legal power to change the action of the court-martial and, barring that, informs Secretary of War Wright that he would like to punish them in any way that he can for as long as he is president for the damage they have done to the reputation of the army. (Moller and Bennett were tried on charges of allowing torture of Filipino prisoners to try to extort information from them)

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

President Roosevelt encloses a copy of his letter to Senator Isidor Rayner, as Senator Taliaferro is mentioned in it. Roosevelt asserts his authority to deny Colonel William F. Stewart a court of inquiry regarding his being sent to Fort Grant.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-12

President Roosevelt tells Francis E. Warren, chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, that he does not believe there is need for a court of inquiry regarding the stationing of Colonel William F. Stewart at Fort Grant. It is within Roosevelt’s authority to do so, and he points out that any punishment in such a posting is incidental to the goal of keeping the best and most efficient officers in command. Stewart has not proven himself fit to command troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-14

President Roosevelt has been over the evidence in the court-martial case, and based on the evidence he believes that Toomey was lucky to get off as lightly as he did.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-05