Your TR Source
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-01-25
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Thurston Paddock Mills, Alada, 1858 -1929
English
Theodore Roosevelt encloses two letters for Senator Bristow’s attention. He speaks favorably of General William W. Wotherspoon and knows that Wotherspoon has always wanted field service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-25
President Roosevelt wishes he could attend the dinner for General Albert Leopold Mills who “is the type of American officer of whom the…people should be proud.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
President Roosevelt thanks Alada Thurston Mills for the invitation to commencement, but it is impossible for him to accept. He asks her to pass along his regards to General Albert Leopold Mills, Superintendent of West Point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-08
President Roosevelt encloses for Paul Joseph Dashiell a letter that he sent to General Albert Leopold Mills regarding a football rules committee that is being established at West Point. Roosevelt hopes that Dashiell will work to amalgamate his committee and the West Point committee, because the Naval Academy and West Point should operate under the same set of rules. He adds that he believes that field officials should be appointed in such a way that they are not responsible to the players or coaches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-10
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Taft to find out Chief of Artillery General Albert Leopold Mills’s views on the artillery bill before submitting it to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-03
President Roosevelt updates his son, Kermit Roosevelt, on recent happenings. Surprisingly, the presidential elector from Montana was his friend and former ranch foreman, Arthur William Merrifield. He describes his and Ted Roosevelt”s continued boxing matches with Joseph Grant. Archibald and Quentin are recovering from “grip.” Unfortunately, Edith’s horse Yagenka may no longer be ridable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-23
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft he hates to disagree with Colonel Albert Leopold Mills–and possibly with Taft himself–but he plans to ask to have Major Robert Lee Howze appointed as Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy. As Roosevelt says, “He seems to me to be, of all the younger men I know in the Army with the exception of Pershing, the man I would most like to have as a model for the cadets in West Point.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-21
President Roosevelt is interested in what General Wood is doing with the Moros. Roosevelt had a challenging time getting Albert Leopold Mills confirmed and must pay more attention to seniority with his next brigadier general appointment. Roosevelt is also bracing himself for negative press coverage during the election. Roosevelt has tried to keep fit by doing Japanese wrestling over the winter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-04
President Roosevelt agrees with General McCook, and will give Colonel Mills an appointment while the Senate is in recess. He hopes that supporters of General Mills and the Army will have more influence on the Senate in the coming months.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-03
President Roosevelt would like to give a recess appointment to Colonel Albert Leopold Mills but needs to first discuss the promotion situation with Secretary of War Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-03
President Roosevelt would be pleased if Major Scott’s son could receive an appointment. Scott was wounded in the fighting against the Moros in the Philippines and Roosevelt hopes that Scott can succeed Colonel Mills as superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-23
This document reports the significant moments in Albert Leopold Mills’s military career. Highlights include his extensive career as a military instructor, his involvement in campaigns against the Crow and Sioux, as well as the battles at Santiago and Las Guasimas in Cuba, and his receipt of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Colonel John W. Vrooman reports in a letter to William Loeb, which encloses this document, that this copy represents what was contained within the “beautiful engrossed album containing nineteen parchment pages enclosed in a handsome leather cover.” The album was a souvenir at the Union League Club dinner celebrating General Mills on August 29, 1906.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
Senator Bristow believes that General Frederick Funston and General Albert Leopold Mills are more deserving of an unnamed appointment then General William W. Wotherspoon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-02
Johnson Hagood requests Theodore Roosevelt autograph the enclosed photograph. He sends clippings to remind Roosevelt who he is and lists the Chiefs of Staff he has served under as aid or assistant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-17
General Wood tells President Roosevelt he has received his instructions regarding how to handle trouble with a foreign enemy near the Philippine Islands. He tells the president, however, there is not clear understanding between the Army and Navy as to what they need to do. Wood indicates he has recommended an increase in the Philippine garrison to make sure it is large enough to protect the important places from raids and updates Roosevelt on the topographical work in the Philippines. Wood spends the majority of the letter discussing the relative strength of the military on the island and what he believes is necessary to be able to defend Subic Bay. He urges the development of a local board of fortification. Wood concludes by encouraging the development of a large Pacific fleet and informs Roosevelt he sent a similar letter to the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-13
Colonel Vrooman reports that the Union League Club dinner for General Albert Leopold Mills was successful, and more people were present than expected. The letters placed before the people at the dinner were from President Theodore Roosevelt, as well as General Henry Clark Corbin and General Frederick Dent Grant, whose letters are enclosed. An album containing nineteen parchment pages enclosed in a leather cover was given as a souvenir. Vrooman attaches a copy of the pages. Other souvenirs included an autographed photograph of Mills, and a blue ribbon which every person present clasped while they sang “Auld Lang Syne.” Vroonan also encloses the letter from Mills expressing his gratitude for the dinner. Finally, Vrooman is particularly delighted that the press never found out about the event, which was just meant to be “a friendly dinner to bring each other closer together and not for publication.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
General Corbin writes that in paying tribute to General Albert Leopold Mills, members of the Union League Club honor their better selves and compliment an efficient and honorable soldier of the Republic. Corbin tells Colonel Vrooman that he is “more than sorry” that he is unable to attend the dinner in honor of Mills.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-25
Colonel Vrooman is sorry that William Loeb will not be able to attend General Albert Leopold Mills’s dinner. Vrooman writes about a variety of other social engagements with the Union League and other friends, and reports that Admiral Dewey spoke highly of Admiral Joseph Bullock Coghlan. In terms of politics, which he discusses “unofficially and confidentially,” Vrooman notes that he has “never seen a more chaotic condition of affairs” in New York State. Republicans must work hard to succeed because it is vital that they should win in New York this year. Vrooman feels that Senators from New York State are not adequately representing residents but rather “private interests are being placed above party and public good.” President Roosevelt is wise to make no suggestions regarding state matters, but Vrooman hopes Roosevelt’s friends will actively protect the interests of the people. In a postscript, Vrooman adds his sincere thanks for Loeb’s kindness to him when he was ill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-24
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