Your TR Source
Philip G. Engel thanks Theodore Roosevelt for an autographed photograph and reminds Roosevelt of a time they met previously. He asks for assistance getting into West Point, which was his father’s dream. His district has many open positions and he wonders how one might get appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-19
Frank Presbrey informs Louis A. Coolidge of the Republican National Committee that William L. Guillaudeu, president of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, would like to speak to President Roosevelt about the appointment of Robert M. Dashiell to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Presbrey asserts that Dashiell’s appointment would be well regarded, and asks Coolidge to pass the message along to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-31
A Japanese soldier trains a group of soldiers of various nationalities and ethnicities, including Koreans.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-08-16
Certificate stating completion of instruction at Plattsburgh, New York, by Quentin Roosevelt, with rank, recommendations.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt is glad to hear from George L. Brown and is pleased that Colonel Alexander O. Brodie’s son, Alexander O. “Sandy” Brodie, is one of Brown’s cadets. He believes that Brown and his wife, Mary W. Brown, represent the ideal American citizen
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-07
Theodore Roosevelt asks General Charles King to congratulate his son, Rufus King on his marriage to Helen Crosby. He believes that military academies stress mathematics too much. Roosevelt hopes King will visit him soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt cannot make a speech on such short notice. Additionally, there are several matters he would like clarified before he could agree to speak. Roosevelt is concerned about the distribution of pacifist literature amongst the Boy Scouts. He states that the effort to prevent boys from being prepared to serve their country is treason. Boy Scouts should be taught to be “eager and willing to bear their part in any war” deemed necessary by their country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt is interested in the suggestions Captain Moseley has on training U.S. military forces. Roosevelt does not agree with Moseley’s two types of training, one for those with a college education and one for those without, as he would wish his own sons to “serve with the colors.” Roosevelt does, however, agree about the immigrants and favors the term “universal training” over “conscription.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-17
The articles that William H. Cowles has sent Theodore Roosevelt are “capital” and highlight the problem with “the fatal and dangerous point of the proposition.” Roosevelt is comforted that Cowles also supports universal service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-30
Theodore Roosevelt thanks William Hutchinson Cowles for the articles and remarks it was nice seeing him the other day. Roosevelt fought hard for universal service and has included articles of his own in return to Cowles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt visited the Plattsburgh camp and there was a great “jamboree.” The Wilson administration “took ferocious umbrage” at Roosevelt’s speech but he is glad he spoke out. Ted Roosevelt did well at the camp and was named a First Lieutenant. Ethel Roosevelt Derby was distressed that Richard Derby had not been made a Corporal, but there is often only one promotion and twenty suitable candidates. Roosevelt paid close attention to Captains Van Horn and Collins. He was impressed and asked them to visit Oyster Bay, New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-02
The Wilson administration has behaved “infamously,” and Theodore Roosevelt considers President Wilson to be a timid man who will “avoid war at all hazards.” Wilson is favoring Germany and attempting to keep the German American and pacifist vote. Roosevelt breaks down American opinion into four sections; German Americans, professional pacifists, the majority who are not interested in international affairs, and a small percentage that think like him. Three of Roosevelt’s sons have finished training at the Plattsburgh camp, and they all did well. He has his volunteer division sketched out and guarantees it will do its duty. Roosevelt is distressed at Russia being “terribly smashed,” and he hopes the allies can stay together as they can win the war together.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-02
Theodore Roosevelt discusses a military handbook by Captain Lincoln C. Andrews. Roosevelt believes the handbook is an excellent leadership and military policy resource for military personnel and civilians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
Theodore Roosevelt thinks that Herman Hoffman Birney’s son, Hoffman Birney, would make an excellent officer in the Engineering Corps but he is too old to enter the United States Military Academy. Roosevelt suggests that Birney write to his congressman or General Leonard Wood regarding the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-04
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the work of Edward W. Stitt and would be honored to accept the honorary membership that he offered. Roosevelt states that he believes in the important role of vocational training, athletics, and military training in education.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-28
Theodore Roosevelt suggests that J. M. Dickinson be made a member of the executive committee for an organization that is preparing a registry of men that will be available for military service with minimal training. The government should be doing this but will not, and Roosevelt thinks it would be a failure not to do it by individual action. Roosevelt will likely be the chairman of an honorary committee to avoid political conflict. He hopes Dickinson will accept.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-12
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed reading about Stewart Edward White’s adventure with the four lions and asks when White’s book is being published. Due to the government’s failure to make any military preparations, a movement is beginning to organize and train citizens for military service. Roosevelt has suggested that White serve on the advisory council. Americans “seem incapable of learning except by disaster.” Roosevelt has heard that Californians are supporting President Wilson because they want peace, but their policies towards Japanese immigration are most responsible for antagonizing Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-03
President Roosevelt requests that the Army War College focus on better organization and training for army pack trains, insisting that there should be at least one full pack train with every squadron of cavalry. He suggests looking to the work of General Leonard Wood, Hugh Lenox Scott, and Henry W. Daly in the Philippines, and General Thomas Henry Barry in Cuba for examples of pack train organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt sends Captain Dan T. Moore’s letter to Secretary of War Wright. Moore, who is in Germany, would like official permission from the State Department to extend his detail there to take an artillery shooting course. Roosevelt believes this will benefit the service as a whole and asks if Wright can secure the permission for Moore to attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-09
President Roosevelt introduces Captain Dan Tyler Moore of the United States Field Artillery, who will serve a year with the German field artillery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-28