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Admiral Wainwright has read President Roosevelt’s memorandum on the Schley-Sampson controversy and appreciates the praise for the USS Glouchester, the gunboat commanded by Wainwright during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He believes that the memorandum will be beneficial for the Navy and “must straighten out all the various opinions on the subject.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-21
Lucius William Nieman has read President Roosevelt’s decision in the Sampson-Schley controversy. Roosevelt decided not to discharge Admiral Schley, which Nieman understands as condoning Schley’s actions. Neiman believes this will help clarify the issue to the public and bring everything to a close once the issue of command is decided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-11
Admiral Evans describes some of the maneuvers during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba which should be added to his previous statement. He also addresses the question of which officer was in command. Evans expresses sympathy for President Roosevelt concerning Ted Roosevelt’s illness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-12
Henry Loomis Nelson agrees with President Roosevelt’s statement on the Schley-Sampson controversy and hopes it settles the matter. However, he pleads with the President to strike from the statement a phrase asserting that neither Sampson nor Schley did anything to deserve a vice admiralship. Nelson fears this will only hurt Sampson and all those who support him, and will embolden their adversaries. Roosevelt’s statement is complete without this reference, and Nelson asks him to strike it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-16
The Schley-Sampson controversy has “caused much pain and chagrin to every friend of the Navy” and Benjamin F. Tracy believes that Admiral Schley’s appeal offers an opportunity for President Roosevelt to end the controversy and give both Admirals the honor they deserve for the blockade and battle of Santiago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-01
Benjamin F. Tracy argues that the question of command was involved in the question submitted to the court of inquiry regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He also defends Admiral Dewey’s right to express an opinion on the question. Tracy believes that under the circumstances command must devolve to the next ranking officer as a fleet can never be without a commander.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-05
Captain Clark returns the statement, with his notes, regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba and hopes that the correct opinion prevails. He offers further information regarding USS Oregon, which Clark commanded during the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Counsel for Rear Admiral Sampson request the opportunity to present evidence to the court of inquiry before a decision is rendered in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Rear Admiral Wainwright encloses his corrected statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Rear Admiral Taylor returns the enclosed with slight corrections. Considering the “File Schley” notataion, the enclosed is likely Taylor’s statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba for use in the Schley-Sampson controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-07
Rear Admiral Chadwick offers his memory of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba from his vantage point on the USS New York. He does not believe that any officer from the New York has testified before the court of inquiry. He concludes by requesting that Secretary of the Navy Long unofficially share his testimony with President Roosevelt, who is securing statements from naval officers concerning the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-08
Felix Agnus asks President Roosevelt not to render his decision in the Schley case before Admiral Schley’s counsel has submitted their appeal. The appeal will contain vital facts that have not yet been presented and will be ready early the next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-15
Captain Sigsbee disagrees with testimony given by Mr. Graham during the Schley court of inquiry. He has read that Graham has met with President Roosevelt and Captain Sigsbee offers his version of events to be laid before the President if deemed appropriate. The disagreement is over when dispatches were sent and Admiral Schley’s actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-15
Paul Dana sends an enclosure from Charles Stewart Davison regarding the Schley case. Davison has closely studied the case and Dana suggests that Senator Lodge provide another angle to bring the information to President Roosevelt’s attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-18
George Edward Graham appreciates being consulted on the Schley case. He assures President Roosevelt that under no circumstances will he allow his personal relationship with Admiral Schley to influence his advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-20
Paul Dana encloses an item related to the Schley case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-07
After receiving President Roosevelt’s letter, Benjamin F. Tracy decided not to publish an article regarding the Schley controversy and instead sends it to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-07
Secretary of the Navy Long does not believe there is grounds for an appeal to the court of inquiry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-09
The court of inquiry failed on one point by passing over Admiral Winfield Scott Schley’s dishonesty towards Lieutenant A. C. Hodgson as only an “injustice.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-07
Brander Matthews has received a letter from his friend Leigh Hunt who is in Shanghai and wanted to express his support for President Roosevelt. Matthews approves of Roosevelt’s actions in the “Schley squabble.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-29