Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Sidney W. May for his letter and says he regrets not being allowed to take troops to France.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt tells Jack Major that President Woodrow Wilson will not let him take troops abroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-04
This memorandum details the poor conduct and inefficiency of Colonel William F. Stewart of the Coast Artillery Corps in the United States Army using the testimony of a variety of witnesses. Brigadier General Murray recommends relief from command or retirement upon Stewart’s own application.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-16
Ensign Abbott reports to Captain Mahan from his posting in Kingston, Jamaica. A British army officer there reported that British troops were camped outside Port Royal because of a stench emanating from cracks in the earth opened by an earthquake in the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
General Nelson Appleton Miles’s breach of military and official etiquette regarding service in the Philippines was successfully rebuked by Secretary of War Elihu Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-21
George B. Cortelyou writes to Elihu Root to inform him that President Roosevelt would like to quietly send additional troops to Alaska in case there is a disturbance along the disputed boundary line.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-27
Theodore Roosevelt dismisses Willis G. Brinson’s doubts about his service record by asking Brinson to look at the last chapter of his autobiography, which is available in any public library. Roosevelt points to the report in which his superior officer recommended him for a Medal of Honor for his leadership of not only his men but the entire cavalry division in the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. The Rough Riders sustained their heaviest losses while Roosevelt was leading them, first on horseback, and then on foot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-14
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 thanks Munroe Smith for sending his pamphlet, “Military Strategy versus Diplomacy.” Roosevelt corrects Smith that he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to John Davis Long and while Long was a “high-minded, honorable man,” Roosevelt believes he was unfit to lead the Navy. For example, one of Long’s theories was to hold all warships in port until there was danger of war. After the sinking of the USS Maine, Long refused to prepare the Navy for war as he believed this would “tend to bring about war.” Roosevelt’s actual advice to William McKinley was that the Spanish government should be informed that the United States would consider the Spanish fleet being sent to American waters as a declaration of war. If the fleet were still sent, then it would be attacked on the high seas. This is different from Long’s statement but Roosevelt doubts that Long sees the distinction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
President Roosevelt relieves Rear Admiral Evans of command at his own request. He thanks Evans for his long service in the United States Navy and recaps his career, which has seen the country emerge as a first class naval power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-23
President Roosevelt explains to Wyoming Senator Warren the reasons he nominated Lieutenant Colonel Wotherspoon to be Brigadier General. He explains that Wotherspoon is actually behind the date he would have received his promotion if lineal promotions had prevailed. Wotherspoon has also efficiently served in many officer positions and has received high recommendations throughout his years of service. Even though there were others ahead of him, Roosevelt thinks the best officers are appointed on merit rather than just seniority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-18
President Roosevelt has received Nevada Governor Sparks’ telegram and is prepared to send a detachment of soldiers to Nevada upon Sparks’ request. To warrant action by the president, the request must include a description of the situation that meets the requirements in Article 4, Section 4 of United States Constitution. Roosevelt will send no more than two companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
President Roosevelt relays to General Wood the contents of a letter, from Hugh Douglas Wise, a sailor in the United States Navy, regarding conditions in the Philippines. Wise writes that people who have been in the Philippines for any length of time believe the only way to civilize districts containing bad elements is to “clean them out,” but politicians will not permit this. According to the sailor, there is only one officer who the bad Filipinos are afraid of, and that is Wood. Having said this, the sailor describes Wood’s actions as leading to the tensions in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-12
President Roosevelt is having difficulty acquiring information on the situation in Colorado and is disappointed with the retention of Senator Henry Moore Teller. Governor James Hamilton Peabody has been irritating and has twice requested that troops be put at his disposal. This is constitutionally impossible, as the troops must act under the President and can only enter a state if the Governor complies with certain constitutional provisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-23
Responding to Henry Lee Higginson’s appeal that President Roosevelt send federal troops to Telluride, Colorado, Roosevelt explains that he and Secretary of War Elihu Root have been communicating with Governor James Hamilton Peabody, and they will send troops when he requests them. Currently, Roosevelt has no power to act.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-20
Bishop Dudley believes that Major Edward Davis should remain as commander in Honolulu. President Roosevelt requests information on the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-11
Leonard Wood realizes he has not written President Roosevelt in some time, and so updates him on various events in the Philippines. The major disturbances in Samar and Leyte are over, and aside from occasional police work, American troops are not needed to keep the peace. Wood describes the military training over the year, culminating in a Division Meet. Wood is pleased that Roosevelt has issued orders regarding the physical health of field officers, and emphasizes that if Roosevelt could see how officers who are near retirement perform, he would enthusiastically back Wood’s push to base promotions and retirement on the qualifications of individuals. Wood describes his belief that officers are responsible for leading by example, and had hoped that officers could devote more time to their troops and less to administrative work. Wood says more officer training is required in horsemanship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-01
John S. Wise encloses to President Roosevelt a letter from his son, Major Hugh Douglas Wise, who is commanding a battalion of Philippine scouts in the island of Samar. Wise believes that his son’s letter is a “strikingly clear apprehension” of the situation on the ground, and that Roosevelt will be glad to have a perspective that might differ from official communications. Wise is likely referring to Filipino insurgents recent violence against United States forces, and earlier tensions that year from the massacre of Moros by American troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
Frederick Dent Grant thanks Colonel John W. Vrooman for the invitation to the Union League dinner given in honor of General Albert Leopold Mills, but he will be unable to attend. Grant believes Mills is one of the best officers in the Army and deserving of praise. Grant sends well wishes to Vrooman and his wife Anne Ford Vrooman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-23
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