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Albert H. Howe is frustrated by Commander John Allen Dougherty’s delay in sailing to his position as naval attaché in Tokyo. Dougherty has been directed three times to leave, and his living quarters have been established and set up, yet he still has not physically made his way to Tokyo. This is causing distress and slowing down normal work procedures.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-11
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Colonel Lyon in the affirmative. He also tells Lyon that he suggested him for a position on the Advisory Council of the Legion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-05
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Newberry regarding new regulations for Navy and Marine officers. From now on all requests and recommendations besides those received through official channels should be noted on an officer’s record.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-03
President Roosevelt has received Major General Wood’s letter enclosing a copy of a general order Wood issued and approves of the sort of instructions Wood is issuing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-11
President Roosevelt offers Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte revisions to the General Order regarding the Navy’s medical department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-31
After hearing that the tropical climate of the Philippines has affected General Wood’s head wound, President Roosevelt has made arrangements that will allow Wood to travel to Europe to rest and recover after he has had command in the Philippines for two or three months. Roosevelt intends to carry out this plan unless Wood gives him satisfactory reasons, that he is willing to accept, as to why he should not do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-08
President Roosevelt reviews upcoming appointments and promotions in the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-14
McCoskry Butt writes to Theodore Roosevelt to send him a photograph of the military. He compares the United States military to the French and German military and makes a negative comment about how Congress’ actions have negatively impacted the image of the military.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-07
Weldon B. Page, a private in the United States Army, seeks advice from Theodore Roosevelt in how to secure a promotion to 2nd lieutenant despite his age and time served. He explains that the Secretary of War promised his consideration, though Page was forgotten.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
A. T. Mahan offers his opinion on the role of the secretary of the Navy. Mahan believes that the issues within the Navy Department have arisen from its corporate structure and the staff’s knowledge gaps. Mahan observes that there is a lack of “personal responsibility” in the department and argues that the Chief of Staff should be “solely responsible for the information, and for advice, given the Secretary.” Drawing from Julian Stafford Corbett, Mahan discusses the connection between diplomatic and military actions and the necessity of a strong military in peacetime. He concludes by asserting that he does not “advocate or countenance” any actions to weaken the power of the secretary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
William Sowden Sims thanks President Roosevelt for enclosing the letter from A. T. Mahan, which he describes as an “admirable presentation of the merits and defects” of the navy administration. Based on Mahan’s letter and the other men involved in the commission, Sims feels certain that the report will be sound from military, law, business, and political perspectives. He is hopeful that the commission’s findings will result in “many great improvements in military efficiency.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-14
Leslie Combs is leaving Guatemala today, where President Manuel Estrada Cabrera has announced a disbanding of the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-01
Leonard Wood makes recommendations for the military management of the Philippines. He recommends that division commanders should have to serve in the Philippines for a minimum of 3 years in order to be most effective. Religious leaders are complicating efforts across the island, but he believes if agriculture can be restored across the island, the situation will stabilize. He discusses the issues of promotion and elimination within ranks, and how often “a moral duffer, with a good digestion, goes on to retirement at 64.” He offers suggestions of how to resolve this issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-26
Report, prepared under the direction of Secretary of War Taft for President Roosevelt, detailing the policies and administration of the War Department since 1897. The report reviews the growth of the department as a result of the Spanish-American War and argues that the War Department has become essential to the executive office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-18
General Wood appreciates the kind motive behind President Roosevelt’s letter suggesting that he be reassigned out of concern for his health. However, Wood says that reports of his ill health are unfounded, and that he does not desire to leave his post until March 1907 at the earliest. He will frankly inform Roosevelt if there is any indication that a change is necessary and asks him to take no action until he requests it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-19
Secretary of War Taft encloses a memorandum forwarded by Army Chief of Staff S. B. M. Young. Retired Brigadier General Aaron Simon Daggett had recommended that United States Army regulations should be changed to prohibit army chaplains from duty as counsel for enlisted men, exchange officers, and other positions. Taft recommends disregarding Daggett’s recommendations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-29
Using his access to Theodore Roosevelt’s correspondence, Joseph Bucklin Bishop examines Roosevelt’s time as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and his contributions during the lead up to the Spanish-American War.
1919-11
Assemblyman Roosevelt encloses a letter that shows that the colonel intends to “knock all the dead wood out of the various companies.” Roosevelt is leaving for Dakota Territory tomorrow and will attend to the matter as soon as he returns.
1883-08-31
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt enjoyed Captain Cowles’s letters and will try to get an “automatic gun and small arms” from the ordnance department so Cowles can properly face “Baptist filibusters.” Roosevelt is enjoying his work and believes he is accomplishing a great deal at the Navy Department. He requests Cowles’s help in determining when an unnamed admiral will be at Hampton Roads. In a subsequent handwritten note, Cowles provides Anna Roosevelt Cowles with information on his travel schedule.
1897-08-18
Text of an act creating the Military Secretary’s Department and the Military Secretary’s Office of the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01