San Juan Hill, Battle of (Cuba : 1898)

Report on the successful effort to pass legislation authorizing President Bill Clinton to award the Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill, July 1, 1898. The report highlights the diligent efforts of Congressmen Paul F. McHale and Rick A. Lazio to pass the legislation in the House of Representatives and notes the work of Senators Kent Conrad and Robert C. Smith in the Senate. The report also notes the lobbying efforts of the membership of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, in particular that of Tweed Roosevelt, and it details the opposition of the U.S. Army to the conferring of the medal.

Photographs of McHale and Lazio, along with two illustrations of the Rough Riders, supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

John A. Gable reviews the made-for-television movie Rough Riders by quoting extensively from three other reviews found in New York City area newspapers. Gable provides three paragraphs excerpted from the review of Bill Bleyer in Newsday, much of which focuses on the historical errors found in the film, and he balances this with excerpts from a positive review also found in Newsday. Gable does not reveal his opinion about the movie. A photograph of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site appears in the review. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1997

Creator(s)

Gable, John A.

Notice about a parade marking the eightieth anniversary of the arrival of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in Tampa, Florida, in 1898. The article notes that three hundred Rough Rider reenactors arrived in Tampa by train. It notes some of the groups that took part in the parade and cites the local organizers of the event.

An advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank which includes a listing of its various branch offices in the New York City area is found on the bottom third of the page.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1978

Theodore Roosevelt is not included in Howard Chandler Christy’s sketch of the battle of San Juan Hill because he was not in the real battle. Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were taking part in a different skirmish at the time, attacking Kettle Hill, three-quarters of a mile away from San Juan Hill. The picture will be published in an illustrated encyclopedia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-08

Creator(s)

Unknown

In a poem by Teresa Brayton, a narrator reminisces about Tommy Casey, a whistling Irishman, who died during the Battle of San Juan Hill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-27

Creator(s)

Brayton, Teresa, 1868-1943

An English translation of a flattering article about President Roosevelt published by the Danish magazine Varden. Berthold De Linde describes his first encounter with President Roosevelt as an infantryman in the Spanish-American War. He then details Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments, from his time at Harvard to his ascendance to the presidency. De Linde particularly emphasizes Roosevelt’s strong moral character and tireless battle against corruption.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

In this Danish magazine sent to President Roosevelt by Ambassador Maurice Francis Egan, a profile of Roosevelt by Berthold de Linde appears on pages 14-22. The article details President Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments from his time at Harvard through becoming President. It particularly focuses on his strong moral character and good qualities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-15

Creator(s)

De Linde, Berthold, 1876-1945

President Roosevelt praises General Wood’s actions and conduct in the Spanish-American War, particularly in the battles of Guasimas, Santiago, and San Juan Hill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Joseph Wheeler encloses a letter he received asking if President Roosevelt took part in the Cuban battles during the Spanish American War. Wheeler found this question “remarkable” and also encloses his reply. He congratulates Roosevelt on construction beginning on the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-24

Creator(s)

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Sheet music for “The Hero of San Juan,” a patriotic song praising the heroism of President Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. The cover features a photograph of Roosevelt.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

Arnette, Victor; Nicholson, Naomi E., -1920

Sheet music for “The Rough Riders in Cuba,” a patriotic song that describes the Rough Rider’s attack on San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. The cover features an illustration of President Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in the midst of a cavalry charge.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1907

Creator(s)

Novak, Frank J. Bohacek

Sheet music for “On the Firing Line,” a march celebrating the victory of the United States at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. The cover features an image of President Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders in battle.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1906

Creator(s)

Comstock, Louis L.

Sheet music for “San Juan Hill,” a march dedicated to “the great hero of San Juan Hill, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.” The cover features an illustration of a hill with a Cuban and American flag.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

Fuentes, Juan B.

Sheet music for “The Charge at San Juan,” a 1903 tribute to President Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. The cover features an illustration of Roosevelt leading a cavalry charge.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1903

Creator(s)

Felker, Lizzie Mae

Sheet music for “Ho! Ho! For Teddy,” a post-presidential song that praises Theodore Roosevelt’s strenuosity and “vigor, virility, vim and victory.” The Battle of San Juan Hill and Roosevelt’s safari are mentioned.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1910

Creator(s)

Craig, John Howard

Writing from the trenches outside of Santiago, Cuba, just after the Battle of San Juan Hill, Theodore Roosevelt thought that the event that would make his political career–the campaign in Cuba–appeared to be on the verge of becoming a catastrophe. Within a few months of writing this letter, Roosevelt would be elected governor of New York; in 1900 he was elected vice president.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1898-07-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

This postcard includes a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt in his Rough Rider uniform. The back of the card describes Roosevelt’s role in the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1901-1907

Creator(s)

Unknown

Postcard in which the location of the Battle of San Juan Hill is depicted and a tour guide describes the events that took place on July 1, 1898. Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt led his Rough Riders to victory during the battle. Message on the reverse from Milton says, “Hello: Hope you are feeling as good as I am. This is fine weather. Good Bye. Milton.”

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1911-02-11

Creator(s)

Milton

Postcard printed in Germany depicting the battlefield of San Juan Hill. Printed as a Memorial Day souvenir, the scene shows men charging up a hill over the fallen men to win the battle. Reverse has postmarks for Broad Street Station and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1908-05-28

Creator(s)

Unknown

Sheet music for “Mister Dooley,” a comedic song about the character Mister Dooley actually doing many of the things for which famous people have been given credit. Verse three refers to Theodore Roosevelt, or “Teddy,” getting the credit for the victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill, when it was really Mister Dooley. The song is dedicated to Felix Isman and was introduced by Thomas Q. Seabrooke in The Chinese Honeymoon. The cover features photographs of actor Alexander Clark, lyricist William Jerome, and composer Jean Schwartz. The inside front cover provides the song lyrics. The back cover includes an advertisement for other “Popular Folios” from Shapiro, Bernstein and Company.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1902

Creator(s)

Jerome, William, 1865-1932; Schwartz, Jean, 1878-1956