Kansas--Fort Riley

D. A. Robinson informs Theodore Roosevelt of the Mounted Service School’s intention of creating a yearbook to showcase the aims and purpose of the school as well as provoke discussion around horsemanship in the army. The staff hope to publish articles written by instructors and believe a contribution by Roosevelt would be appropriate since Roosevelt greatly advanced horsemanship in the army during his presidency. Robinson assures Roosevelt any statement would be much appreciated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Creator(s)

Robinson, D. A.

President Roosevelt is glad to hear from Captain McCoy and learn about the camp at Fort Riley. He is uncertain if he can obtain the copy of Major George M. Barber’s journal notes McCoy requests. Instead, he sends an edition of Rough Riders for reference. As a member of the campaign in question, Roosevelt wants to know who takes exception to Captain Herbert H. Sargent’s account and why.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for mentioning the Fort Riley incident and says he will get a full report of it. Roosevelt also shares Lodge’s opinion regarding the Vancouver incident and states that what occurred in Vancouver, Canada, was much worse than what occurred in San Francisco, California. Roosevelt believes it will force the British to take the same attitude as American regarding the Pacific.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Senator Lodge informs President Roosevelt of a request from the Post Office Department to reinstate Rachel F. Sullivan of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, to the classified service. Lodge had her resign some time ago due to evidence that she might be taking money, but within a few weeks, the post office discovered that it was another employee. Lodge is asking for Roosevelt’s assistance because she can only be restored via executive order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-14

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge informs President Roosevelt that fifty soldiers at Fort Riley tried to rescue a comrade from jail and were fired on by the sheriff. It reminds Lodge of the Brownsville case, and he encourages Roosevelt to treat the Fort Riley case with care so that no one can suggest that more severity was shown to African American troops than to white troops. Lodge also notes his interest in the riots occurring in Vancouver, British Columbia against the Japanese.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-10

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

President Roosevelt tells the United States War Department to inform Brigadier General John B. Kerr that Roosevelt is pleased with what he has done regarding the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas. He asks if the War Department can address an issue that Kerr raised in his report regarding the need for assistant instructors being non-commissioned officers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt congratulates Captain Gatchell and his men on their successful 1000 mile march from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Captain Frank Ross McCoy thanks President Roosevelt for giving him a share of the credit for improving the army’s horsemanship standards. McCoy wishes that he could have joined Roosevelt on his ride to Warrenton, which he feels set an excellent example for lazy officers. Although McCoy envies Roosevelt’s current aide, Captain Archibald Willingham Butt, he is glad to have implemented real improvements to the cavalry during his own tenure in the position. McCoy hopes that, before March 4, Roosevelt can suggest to the committee revising the Field Service Regulations that the organization and training of army pack trains be improved. Packing for cavalry is becoming a “lost art.” McCoy also shares his plans for Presidents’ Day.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-02

Creator(s)

McCoy, Frank Ross, 1874-1954

Senator Lodge agrees with President Roosevelt’s views on the shipping matter but feels that the law of 1904 is not being interpreted as Congress intended. Contrary to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s view on the matter, Lodge believes the law does not give the president control over coastwise traffic. He wishes Roosevelt would pay more attention to his advice. Lodge urges Roosevelt to handle the Fort Riley matter carefully before concluding the letter with some light-hearted commentary on Roosevelt’s activities while traveling. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-02

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on his progress through Idaho, where he has been speaking on behalf of Republican candidates. The longer he is in Idaho, the more he believes that the Western Federation of Miners has been working to defeat Senator Frank Robert Gooding. He describes Gooding’s involvement related to the lawsuit against Charles Moyer and William Dudley “Big Bill” Haywood. Taft feels somewhat doubtful about Gooding’s election. Another issue of note in Idaho relates to the Mormons and their stance regarding polygamy. He also comments on elections in other areas of the country, and reiterates what he has previously said regarding the importance of Roosevelt’s influence in this election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-04

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Lieutenant Colonel Wotherspoon reports to William Loeb that the results of General Lee’s inspection of the Sixth Field Battery’s condition are favorable. Lee reports to the War Department that the command and the men should be commended for the march. Wotherspoon encloses the report for President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-23

Creator(s)

Wotherspoon, William W. (William Wallace), 1850-1921

Lieutenant Colonel Wotherspoon writes to President Roosevelt regarding the one thousand mile march of the U.S. Army’s Sixth Field Battery. The march, while successfully completed, has received criticism from the public and press who claim that the men and animals were exhausted by the ordeal, even causing the death of one individual. The War Department has ordered an investigation in the matter. In light of the criticism, Wotherspoon believes it might be wiser for Roosevelt to delay sending a letter of admiration and congratulations to the commander until the investigation has produced results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-15

Creator(s)

Wotherspoon, William W. (William Wallace), 1850-1921

Lieutenant Colonel Wotherspoon congratulates Captain Gatchell on a march from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-15

Creator(s)

Wotherspoon, William W. (William Wallace), 1850-1921

Secretary of War Elihu Root speaks in Junction City at the request of President Roosevelt. He discusses the army of Kansas and the United States, and the role that citizens play in the army.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919