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Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the unhappiness of Archie, Quentin and Theodore Roosevelt regarding their circumstances in the war right now. He talks of taking a trip to Washington with Edith to visit Alice and Nick Longworth. He says Tommy Hitchcock thanked him for helping shore up conditions in the military training camps.
1918-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the birth of Archie Roosevelt’s son, Archie. He marvels at having eight grandchildren. He reports that Major General Henry T. Allen came to visit and spoke well of Ted, Archie, and Quentin Roosevelt. He comments on the new Bolshevik government in Russia.
1918-02-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a visit from Edmund Heller who is now engaged to be married. They have not heard from Archie Roosevelt yet regarding the cables they sent about the birth of his son. Roosevelt writes how the Bolsheviks are ruining Russia and how Senator George Chamberlain’s investigation into the War Department is finally producing some changes. He encloses two extracts of letters regarding Quentin Roosevelt.
1918-03-11
Left to right: Theodore Roosevelt, Archie Roosevelt, Ted Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, Ethel Roosevelt, and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1895
Formal portrait of Archie Roosevelt aged five.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1899
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report that Tommy Hitchcock was taken prisoner by the Germans and Archie Roosevelt was injured by shrapnel in the legs. He also broke his arm and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by a French general.
1918-03-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is pleased Kermit was transferred to a motor machine gun battery. General Leonard Wood visited after being at the front and says equipment and supplies are needed. Archie Roosevelt is recovering from his wounds nicely.
1918-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to advise him about approaching his superiors regarding a transfer to France. He also details the injuries Archie Roosevelt sustained. Roosevelt delivered a speech in Maine and reiterates how unprepared for war the military was.
1918-04-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the latest German offensive and visiting Archie Roosevelt’s wife Gracie and their new baby. He has enclosed a newspaper clip of the occasion. He says Archie’s wounding garnered a lot of attention in America. Roosevelt tells stories about two of his grandchildren, Richard and Edie and says Colonel Rondon was awarded the gold medal by the American Geographic Society.
1918-04-08
A newspaper clip describing Theodore Roosevelt’s first visit to see his newest grandson, Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt Jr. in Boston. It mentions that the baby’s father, Archibald Sr., is fighting in France and has not yet seen him. The picture features Roosevelt holding the baby while the baby’s mother, Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt, looks on.
1918-03-30
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit he wrote a letter to the War Department requesting a place for Kermit with the army in France. He does not know how it will be received, given President Woodrow Wilson’s feelings toward Roosevelt and General Leonard Wood. He received a letter from Archie Roosevelt in the hospital, and also letters from Ted Roosevelt and Colonel Rondon.
1918-04-14
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit regarding transferring Kermit from the British army to the American army. He has been sending cables to the British Minister of War Lord Derby and General Peyton March. Roosevelt says how proud he is of all his sons and how he cannot wait for them to return. Tommy Hitchcock is still a German prisoner of war and slightly wounded and there have been many complimentary letters about Archie Roosevelt.
1918-04-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to congratulate him on being made a Captain in the British army and gives updates on Quentin, Archie and Ted Roosevelt. Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s son Richard had his appendix out and her husband Richard Derby is eager to ship off to the war. Roosevelt says he is keeping busy with trivial work and rowing with Mother.
1917-08-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about letters he has received about him including one from Rudyard Kipling. He says he is over his disappointment about not being in the war and makes speeches about carrying it on to a triumphal conclusion. He reports National Guard troops are reporting to military camps. Roosevelt adds he is publishing a new book and is being paid to write for some periodicals.
1917-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to describe the christening of Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s daughter Edie and the lack of supplies and equipment for drafted men in military training camps. He also mentions a visit from Australian officers and novelist Major A. E. W. Mason.
1917-11-09
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit regarding Kermit’s question whether to stay at the Mesopotamian front or go to the European front. Roosevelt says Kermit must do whatever the British army asks of him. He provides updates on Archie and Ted Roosevelt and comments upon Russia’s breaking.
1917-11-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say Archie Roosevelt has written from the trenches and Ted has handled his battalion admirably. He gives updates on friends and family back home and says Belle has not received half his letters.
1917-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle to say how proud he is of them and all his children. He criticizes President Woodrow Wilson and says he will do all he can to secure military posts for Kermit, Archie, Ted and Quentin. Roosevelt gives an update on Mother and Ethel.
1917-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle to say he sent letters to Arthur Hamilton Lee and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Lloyd George regarding a commission for Kermit in the British military in Mesopotamia. He also says that Ted and Archie Roosevelt sailed for Europe today and Ethel’s husband Richard Derby is eager to go as well. Quentin will be leaving next month.
1917-06-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about a letter from the British ambassador regarding getting Kermit a commission in the British military to serve in Mesopotamia. He says everything is up in the air so Kermit should try and get a commission in the United States army and see what happens. He also reports that Quentin Roosevelt is engaged to Flora Whitney and Archie leaving has been difficult for his wife, Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt.
1917-07-01