Funston, Frederick, 1865-1917

Letter from R. W. Boone to Theodore Roosevelt

R. W. Boone read and greatly enjoyed President Roosevelt’s book The Winning of the West. Boone’s great-great-grandfather is Daniel Boone, and Boone enjoyed reading about his heritage and thinking about his ancestor’s role in history. Boone invites Roosevelt to North Carolina the next time he wants to shoot a bear, and will also ask his friend Senator Alexander Stephens Clay to introduce them the next time Boone is in town.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-14

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-16

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of his trip across the United States, as he gives speeches to help candidates in the upcoming election. Nebraska is likely to go Republican, as the prosperity there under Roosevelt’s policies has hampered William Jennings Bryan’s campaign. The person nominated for the Senate, however, is someone who Taft and Roosevelt did not wish. Public sentiment is the same as in Illinois in calling for Roosevelt’s running for president again, as his policies have been very successful. The only place Bryan may have a foothold is in Ohio. Taft thinks that William Randolph Hearst’s strength in New York has been overstated. He also informs Roosevelt about several conversations he has had with people, and about a letter he received from Gifford Pinchot.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-01

Cipher Cable from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes about the progress of rebel disarmament as the American occupation of Cuba begins. He reports on the condition of the weapons and horses received and difficulties in transfer because of misunderstandings due to language. He faults himself for not providing closer supervision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Provisional Governor Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of disarmament in Cuba. Frederick Funston is not as effective in managing the details of disarmament as Taft had hoped. Taft does not want to avoid responsibility for some of the mistakes, but feels that Funston lacks capacity as an executive. There is also some delay in dismissing the militia because of corruption. Secretary of State Elihu Root’s publication of the correspondence between the United States Government and former Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma has caused surprise among the Moderate Party in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

In a confidential telegram to President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft expresses his concern that General Frederick Funston is not the right commander for the job in Cuba. The Cuban rebels do not respond to Funston. They need a more diplomatic leader like General James Franklin Bell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on a number of matters concerning the American occupation of Cuba, the establishment of the Cuban provisional government, and disarmament of the insurgents. Taft reports that disarmament is going smoothly, and that in “four or five days,” the insurgents will have complied with the orders. The United States have created a provisional government. Taft believes that Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma is a good man and one of “two or three men in politics in Cuba who is absolutely honest,” but notes that Estrada Palma is not politically talented. Taft also addresses problems that American liberals and moderates have with the compromise that has been set up in Cuba, and offers justifications against a government investigation. Taft notes that it will not be possible to hold a free and fair election until June. He is frustrated that the Associated Press quoted him regarding matters in Cuba without his permission. Taft encloses a speech he gave at the university that offers justification for the Americans’ presence in Cuba. Taft also offers justifications for American intervention in Cuba and discusses the merits of maintaining a provisional government via the Platt Amendment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt that there are enough troops to warrant having two Generals in Cuba during the United States’ occupation there, although James Franklin Bell would outrank Frederick Funston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft says the command in Havana, Cuba, will be large enough for two generals. James Franklin Bell would rank Frederick Funston, and this would work out right.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Chief of Staff Bell is replying to President Roosevelt’s letter about a War College Study on Cuba and a letter by General Frederick Funston. Bell assures all feasible ideas will be reviewed but that priority should be given to securing troops in the area first. Bell writes that troops are prepared, and transport could be arranged on the Sumner with three days notice, awaiting Roosevelt’s word. Bell lists other ships acquired to transport troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt an account of the San Francisco earthquake and General Frederick Funston’s handling of the crisis. Taft states that he does not know of any objections to publishing the account, which was written by George M. Dunn, the Judge-Advocate of the Department of California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-06

Telegram from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Victor Howard Metcalf updates President Roosevelt on the conditions following the earthquake in San Fransisco, California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-26

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

General Wood, Governor of the Moro Province of the Philippines, informs President Roosevelt about the situation in the occupied Philippines. He recommends that reenlistment periods for discharged soldiers be for one year instead of three to encourage the retention of trained troops, especially in the Philippines. He reports on the death of Philippine resistance leader Datu Ali. He recommends that the Hawaiian Islands be fortified against vulnerability to the Japanese, who are refitting Russian battleships. He favors fortifying the area of Manilla rather than the whole of the Philippines, preferring for funds to go towards building the Pacific Fleet. He asks that the garrisons in the Philippines be kept at war strength. He laments the loss of American railroad concessions in China, and warns against allowing Chinese laborers into the United States. He recommends encouraging English, Italian, German, and other European immigration to the Philippines through some form of territorial citizenship, free transportation, or tax incentives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-13

Editorials from The Argonaut

A collection of editorials by Alfred H. Holman in The Argonaut covers politics and industrial topics in the San Francisco Bay area. Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz is on trial and control of mayoral power lies in the balance. Strikes affecting streetcar and telephone service are losing steam, with employers claiming that the unions are acting in bad faith. The involvement of Rudolph Spreckels and Patrick Calhoun in the prosecution of Schmitz is examined. Holman has little faith in the industrial conciliation meeting to be held in San Francisco. Holman also makes recommendations regarding fire safety and railroad management.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft shares his plans regarding Cuba. He suggests President Roosevelt appoint Beekman Winthrop as provisional governor given his previous experience in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29

For victory of our country’s flag

Sheet music for the patriotic song “For Victory of Our Country’s Flag,” which celebrates the American military heroes of the Spanish-American War. The song is dedicated to the United States Army and Navy. The cover features a large American flag and photographs of prominent individuals from the war, including Governor Roosevelt.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1899

Letter from John Campbell Greenway to Leonard Wood

John Campbell Greenway encloses a letter he wrote to John Appleton Stewart which explains Greenway’s position on Wood’s candidacy for president of the United States. Greenway comments on the excitement at the border after Pancho Villa’s attack. The reports of a putative expedition against Villa are “refreshing news.”

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1916-03-12

Letter from Allan Campbell Bakewell to Abraham Gilbert Mills

Allan Campbell Bakewell has read the draft of resolutions and he offers suggestions on them and the impact the resolutions will have on the Grand Army of the Republic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-06

Letter from Elihu Root to George B. Cortelyou

Secretary of War Root wants President Roosevelt to see an enclosed letter from General Frederick Funston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-10

Letter from Berry Benson to Theodore Roosevelt

Berry Benson claims to have discovered a method of deciphering the secret military ciphers of Germany and of France. He would like to share his ideas concerning acquiring information from “the enemy.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-19