Military pensions

Letter from James L. Davenport to Theodore Roosevelt

Commissioner Davenport of the Bureau of Pensions confirms receipt of Theodore Roosevelt’s letter regarding Charles G. Abbott’s claim for a military pension for having served as a private of Company F of the Rough Riders. Davenport will file Roosevelt’s letter with the evidence in Abbott’s file, and promises to take up the claim as soon as possible. He wishes Roosevelt a pleasant upcoming trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-11

Creator(s)

Davenport, James L., 1845-1914

Letter from John T. Lynch to Theodore Roosevelt

John T. Lynch, a veteran of the Civil War, opines to Theodore Roosevelt about the proposed Sulloway Pension Bill for veterans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-07

Creator(s)

Lynch, John T., 1841-1933

Letter from Edna Maria Fales to Theodore Roosevelt

On the advice of Theodore Roosevelt, Edna Maria Fales wrote to Secretary of War J. M. Dickinson about her pension, and forwards Roosevelt the negative response she received. She laments her lack of success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-28

Creator(s)

Fales, Edna Maria Winchell, 1849-

Letter from Harlow N. Higinbotham to Theodore Roosevelt

Harlow N. Higinbotham sends Theodore Roosevelt a letter to Representative Robert J. Mann requesting assistance securing Merch E. Perry the pension owed him. He asks him to endorse it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Creator(s)

Higinbotham, Harlow N. (Harlow Niles), 1838-1919

Letter from Harlow N. Higinbotham to James R. Mann

Harlow N. Higinbotham provides a biography of Merch E. Perry, a Spanish-American War veteran who was unjustly denied a pension despite being discharged for disability. He requests Representative Mann’s assistance in securing Perry a pension.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Creator(s)

Higinbotham, Harlow N. (Harlow Niles), 1838-1919

Letter from Mrs. H. McCollough to Theodore Roosevelt

Harriet McCollough asks Theodore Roosevelt for help securing a pension for her tenant, Herman E. Janson. She describes the incident that caused him to contract rheumatism while serving in the Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01

Creator(s)

McCollough, Harriet

Letter from F. M. Rhoades to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of the Indian War Veterans of Washington and Oregon, F. M. Rhoades asks Theodore Roosevelt to ask President William H. Taft to talk to the Pension Committee about acting favorably on the pension bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-30

Creator(s)

Rhoades, F. M.

Letter from James L. Kale to Theodore Roosevelt

James L. Kale discusses his military disability and asks Theodore Roosevelt for help securing his pension.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-20

Creator(s)

Kale, James L. (James Lewellyn), 1880-1938

Letter from Mrs. E. N. McIntosh to Theodore Roosevelt

Mrs. E. N. McIntosh wrote an autobiographical story while recovering from a broken hip. She asks Theodore Roosevelt for publishing advice. She shares how she urged Senator George F. Edmunds and President Chester Alan Arthur twenty-six years ago to either enforce or repeal the Edmunds Act. McIntosh wants to publish her book before death.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-17

Creator(s)

McIntosh, Mrs. E. N.

Letter from William A. Madaris to Theodore Roosevelt

William A. Madaris is helping Rough Rider John M. Neal secure a pension. He describes how Neal’s legs were damaged in an accident at Montauk Point. The women of a nearby “field hospital” treated Neal. Madaris asks Theodore Roosevelt for information about these women so Neal can contact them. Regarding a personal matter, Madaris requests a picture of Roosevelt to replace the one damaged while on display during his local patriotic event.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-16

Creator(s)

Madaris, William A., -1920

Letter from Robert K. Thomas to Theodore Roosevelt

Robert K. Thomas’ pension claim was denied because he sought home treatment instead of hiring a doctor. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to help obtain a position as an Interstate Commerce Inspector of Safety.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-11

Creator(s)

Thomas, Robert K.

Letter from Charles Buckley to Theodore Roosevelt

Rough Rider Charles Buckley (also known as Charles Buckholdt) asks Theodore Roosevelt for a favor, presumably an increase in pension. He cannot work due to illness and relies on his pension to support his wife and six children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-01

Creator(s)

Buckley, Charles, 1859-1929

Letter from G. W. Duncan to Theodore Roosevelt

G. W. Duncan apologizes for intruding, but knowing Theodore Roosevelt’s reputation for justice, he asks for help with a matter that has long been neglected. He shares how his company was stationed at Camp Babbitt during the Civil War, but the recording officer failed to record the company’s service. As such, the company members are not listed on the pension roll. Duncan hopes Roosevelt can resolve the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-19

Creator(s)

Duncan, G. W.

Letter from Joel Strawn Hopkins to Theodore Roosevelt

Joel Strawn Hopkins, a Civil War veteran, asks Theodore Roosevelt to help him receive his pension again as it was recently withdrawn.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-20

Creator(s)

Hopkins, Joel Strawn, 1840-1915

Letter from J. W. Drieinlair to Theodore Roosevelt

J. W. Drieinlair asks Theodore Roosevelt for clarification on the amount of pension he is entitled to.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-24

Creator(s)

Drieinlair, J. W.

Letter from James L. Davenport to Theodore Roosevelt

Commissioner of Pensions Davenport advises Theodore Roosevelt on Elmer Barber’s case, stating that no law grants original pensions to “helpless children” because of their condition. However, Barber may be able to receive a continuance of pension under the circumstance of veterans’ minor children. Davenport provides instructions on filing such a claim.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-10-04

Creator(s)

Davenport, James L., 1845-1914

Letter from James L. Davenport to Theodore Roosevelt

Commissioner of Pensions Davenport updates Theodore Roosevelt on John T. Carroll’s pension application which was denied.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-08-26

Creator(s)

Davenport, James L., 1845-1914

Letter from John M. Neal to Theodore Roosevelt

John M. Neal tells Theodore Roosevelt that he is a former Rough Rider who was injured during the division’s stay at Montauk Point following their deployment to Cuba. He was struck in the legs and injured. He was briefly treated at a volunteer hospital before returning to camp. He did not seek further care because he did not think the injury was serious. The injury turned out to be severe, and he now cannot get a pension without a hospital record. He asks Roosevelt if he has any information about the volunteer hospital at Montauk Point.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-01-07

Creator(s)

Neal, John M. (John Martin), 1854-1917

Letter from Micah John Jenkins to Theodore Roosevelt

Micah John Jenkins, a Rough Rider, reminds President Roosevelt that he served as Acting Colonel in Cuba while Roosevelt was Brigadier Commander. Although Colonel Joseph H. Dorst and others have informed him that he is entitled to pay for the time he held the position, Jenkins has never sought it until now. He recently lost everything in a house fire, and writes to Roosevelt about the situation before applying for pay. He would like to speak privately with Roosevelt if possible. Additionally, he is pleased to read in the papers that Secretary of War William H. Taft is likely to be nominated as Roosevelt’s successor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-11

Creator(s)

Jenkins, Micah John, 1857-1912

Letter from John F. O’Rourke to John McGaw Woodbury

John F. O’Rourke recommends that Major Woodbury reinstate Major Samuel A. Russel to his position in the United States Army so that he may draw his pension. O’Rourke has developed a personal regard for Major Russel as an employee and friend, and is convinced of his good character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-04

Creator(s)

O'Rourke, John F. (John Francis), 1854-1934