Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt found the book interesting and it has made him a convert. He also found the statistics about the Elandslaagte fight interesting. He compares them to and shares statistics from his experience in the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-05
American Ambassador to China William Woodville Rockhill tells President Roosevelt about his recent meetings with the Dalai Lama. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama twice in person, and was very impressed by his hospitality and composure. The Dalai Lama asked Rockhill’s opinion about the relations between India and Tibet, and gave Rockhill several gifts to present to Roosevelt. Rockhill assured the Dalai Lama that many people in America wished him well, and looked upon Tibet favorably. Rockhill congratulates Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as Republican candidate for president, and is sure that he will be elected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-30
Commissary General Sharpe sends Secretary of War Taft his recommendations for organization, recruitment, and promotion in the United States Army Supply Department, based on his studies of the British, French, and German armies and their supply networks. Sharpe suggests combining a number of departments into a new Supply Department and establishing new regulations for officer promotions. He also encourages the Transportation Department to establish depots of supplies throughout the country that could be quickly mobilized in times of need. Sharpe provides Taft with a list of changes he, as Secretary of War, could implement by his own directive, as well as those requiring approval from Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
John St. Loe Strachey sends his condolences to President Roosevelt for the San Francisco earthquake. Strachey also discusses ways to prevent monopolies and a new company in the British army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23
A report details the structures of the British, French, and German Armies. The report discusses topics such as departments, divisions, duties, promotion and retirement, recruitment, organizational structure, and more.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Secretary of the Navy Meyer regarding a young man about whom they have exchanged letters earlier, who has since taken Roosevelt’s advice and turned himself in. Roosevelt feels strongly that the Army and Navy deal too harshly with desertion in times of peace and that the severity of punishment contributes to the number of desertions. Major-General Edward Hamilton of the British Army found that it was better to show leniency. Roosevelt invites Meyer and his wife to visit him when Meyer attends the Lincoln dinner.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1911-01-20
Arthur Hamilton Lee writes to introduce Lieutenant General Sir Ian Hamilton, quartermaster-general of the British Army, to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
Hermann Speck von Sternburg, serving as German Consul in Calcutta, informs Roosevelt that the “rattling of sabers in the Persian Gulf has ceased” and speculates that the powers in the Persian Gulf will come to a peaceful settlement. Sternburg criticizes the state of the British military in India and compliments the fighting spirit of the “Mohamedeans” recruited from northern India and the skills of Indian soldiers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-30