Your TR Source
This memorandum details the poor conduct and inefficiency of Colonel William F. Stewart of the Coast Artillery Corps in the United States Army using the testimony of a variety of witnesses. Brigadier General Murray recommends relief from command or retirement upon Stewart’s own application.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-16
United States Army Chief of Staff Bell thanks President Roosevelt for the opportunity to read General Leonard Wood’s correspondence and states that he has always had a high respect for him. Bell agrees with Wood’s letters and orders, particularly one paragraph that highlights a system of military competition used by the French Army with much success. Although Bell would like to see more of this type of competition, he has not advocated for this in the entire Army due to a lack of officers in the United States, as most are stationed overseas. He concludes by informing Roosevelt that he has kept these matters strictly confidential as the president requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park Young thanks President Roosevelt for promoting Brigadier General William Penn Duvall to major general to fill General William Spencer McCaskey’s vacancy. Young knows Duvall is highly qualified for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-29
President Roosevelt thought the letter Fitzhugh Lee sent to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was very interesting. He is pleased that the French officers are accepting Lee, and believes it is because of Lee’s willingness to work hard and do his duty. Roosevelt comments on a recent hike in Rock Creek Park he took with a number of Generals, and sends Lee some amusing pictures that were drawn afterwards of it. The Roosevelt family had a pleasant Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-26
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-14
President Roosevelt provides Maryland Senator Rayner with facts and reports pertaining to the unfitness and misconduct of Colonel William F. Stewart, who seeks to retire as a Brigadier General, and whom Isidor feels has been unfairly punished with a bad posting. Given Stewart’s record and reports of his conduct toward civilians, subordinates, and superiors, Roosevelt stands by the decision that has been made and is unwilling to open a court of inquiry into the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-06
The information President Roosevelt has received corroborated reports he already had. Reports on the Panama Canal’s construction and engineering are overwhelmingly positive, while those on the living and subsistence conditions of the workers are poor. Roosevelt fears they are on the verge of an “ugly scandal” in this regard and recommends taking up the measures outlined by Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt thinks it would be wise for George W. Goethals to ask for the resignation of Jackson Smith and put General William Penn Duvall in charge of labor and quarters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-16
President Roosevelt explains to Wyoming Senator Warren the reasons he nominated Lieutenant Colonel Wotherspoon to be Brigadier General. He explains that Wotherspoon is actually behind the date he would have received his promotion if lineal promotions had prevailed. Wotherspoon has also efficiently served in many officer positions and has received high recommendations throughout his years of service. Even though there were others ahead of him, Roosevelt thinks the best officers are appointed on merit rather than just seniority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-18
President Roosevelt discusses several topics with Secretary of State Root. Roosevelt had intended to appoint William Penn Duvall to Quartermaster General, but Secretary of War William H. Taft strongly recommended James Buchanan Aleshire instead. Roosevelt has called upon Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to investigate the difficulties of Japanese immigrants in San Francisco. Roosevelt has been hearing “howls” over an agreement with Germany. Roosevelt feels Andrew Carnegie’s New York peace conference has weakened the United States’ chances at the International Peace Conference at the Hague, and so has not been following developments there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-02
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Taft that he wants to fill the position of Quartermaster General before July 1 as he wants significant reforms in the department before his term ends. He feels either William Penn Duvall or James Buchanan Aleshire should be appointed and leaves the decision to Taft’s judgment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-09
President Roosevelt agrees with Rachel Sherman Thorndike that “in dealing with the South one must often exercise patience and forbearance to a degree which I should not dream of extending to the North.” If some sons of former Confederate generals made a trip through Indiana and Ohio along the path of a raid that took place during the Civil War, Roosevelt believes no one would pay any attention to them, but the trip of Father Thomas Ewing Sherman, a son of William Tecumseh Sherman, through Georgia is causing an uproar. Roosevelt believes General William Penn Duvall let the information get out in the wrong shape, and that the trouble could have been avoided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-03
Johnson Hagood requests Theodore Roosevelt autograph the enclosed photograph. He sends clippings to remind Roosevelt who he is and lists the Chiefs of Staff he has served under as aid or assistant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-17
Secretary of War Taft returns a letter from General Leonard Wood to President Roosevelt. He comments on some aspects of Wood’s character that he feels that the letter illustrates, as well as some of Wood’s observations about the state of the Philippines. Taft thinks that Wood is correct regarding the necessity of completing fortifications in the Philippines, and agrees with the desirability in keeping the United States’ fleet in the Pacific, but realizes that it may be impractical. He thinks that Wood is perhaps overly suspicious of the Japanese.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
Leonard Wood updates President Roosevelt on the geopolitical situation in the Philippines, largely in regard to Japan. In the Philippines, there is a marked concern that Japan is preparing for war. They have scouts on the island and are trying to drum up pro-Japan sentiment. The British, who are allied with Japan, are becoming increasingly uneasy. Wood believes it is imperative that the American fleet stay entirely in Manila until more defenses can be set up. He details the defenses and supplies that should be brought in. Controlling Japan now means securing white influence in Asia and the surrounding waters. Wood also discusses the training, promotion, and management of troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-30
Lincoln Steffens informs William Loeb that after Francis J. Heney visited him in Washington, he is clear on the matters relating to W. C. Bristol, United States Attorney for Oregon, and Colonel Stewart, who has been accused of being unfit to lead. As a potential successor to Bristol, Christian Schuebel’s competence had been questioned, but the suggested alternative, William Simon U’Ren, would not accept the appointment. Regarding Stewart, the president should know that though Stewart’s colleagues may see him as unfit, there is not sufficient evidence for discharge, and he hopes Roosevelt will review General William Penn Duvall’s malicious behavior surrounding the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-28
War Department Chief of Staff Major General Bell was away from Washington, D.C., when a decision was made in the case of Colonel William F. Stewart. Bell informs William Loeb that he knew nothing of the situation, and he asked General William Penn Duvall to prepare the enclosed memorandum about the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-09
Secretary of War Taft gives President Roosevelt a review of the various vacancies and those appointed to fill them. He approves appointing Colonel Charles S. Smith to brigadier general based on his experience with coastal defense. However, he does not endorse the similar appointment of Colonel Medorem Crawford, describing him as a “humdrum, mediocre officer.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-18
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that, based on his service record, Brigadier General William Penn Duvall should succeed Major General William Spencer McCaskey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-16
Secretary of War Taft discussed with Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer the comments attributed to Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock about opposing Taft’s nomination for the presidency. Meyer believes there to be some mistake, and he will talk with Hitchcock. Taft is inclined to appoint James Buchanan Aleshire as Quartermaster General of the Army over William Penn Duvall, and will phone Roosevelt later to talk it over. Joseph Bucklin Bishop has not accepted the post with the Isthmian Canal Commission, and Taft is still encouraging him to consider it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-30
Secretary of War Taft provides President Roosevelt with an update on his consideration of candidates for the position of Quartermaster General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-29