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Lowell Parker describes the inexperience of the Rough Riders in military maneuvers during basic training in San Antonio, Texas and the confusion and unpreparedness of the troops as they traveled to Tampa, Florida and Cuba. Parker further details the efforts of the Rough Riders in battles at Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill, and San Juan Hill, and the death of Bucky O’Neill.
1978-01-24
Fred C. Ainsworth, Adjutant General of the United States Army, writes to Assistant Secretary of War Oliver regarding the Army service record of Leonard Wilson under General Joseph Wheeler. Although General Wheeler’s report has not been found, several people have attested to Wilson’s effectiveness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-20
The Roosevelt administration is attempting to end the “nonsensical controversy” surrounding the Battle of Santiago. Admiral Sampson’s request for a hearing was rejected and General Miles was rebuked for publicly criticizing the naval court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Two women lean out windows. On the left is an Irish domestic representing the “Dem. Party” and on the right is a well-dressed matron representing the “Rep. Party.” Between them hangs a balance scale labeled “Party Politics” with Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley on the left, trying to upset the balance by pulling on the chains, causing the scale to swing wildly, and with Rear Admiral William Thomas Sampson on the right, struggling to hang on.
At the time of this cartoon there was an intense national debate over conflicting claims about the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba in the Spanish-American War. Despite the partisan figures in Keppler’s windows, the controversy was more about personalities than parties. Acting Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson had command of the American fleet and designed a battle plan to blockade the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor. He even decided which Americans ships would pursue in case of a breakout. His inferior officer, Rear-Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, commanded the fleet whilst Sampson was ashore conferring with General William Shafter. Indeed the Spanish ships, commanded by Admiral Pascual Cervera, broke out, and after naval scrambles and chases, sometimes hampered by artillery smoke, all were destroyed or grounded. Sampson’s ships arrived after the fighting, yet the tactician of the battle cabled Washington, “The Fleet under my command offers the nation, as a Fourth of July present, the whole of Cervera’s fleet.” Schley, who managed the victory, had nevertheless displayed occasional vacillation, if not insubordination, and independence that left other officers confused at times. Both officers were celebrated after the war — as were other heroes like Theodore Roosevelt and Admiral George T Dewey — and each had their fervent partisans. After release of a book that criticized Schley in the extreme, he requested a Board of Inquiry. Its hearings and findings (generally supporting Sampson, supported on appeal by President Theodore Roosevelt) were a national sensation.
President Roosevelt writes Commissioner of Pensions Ware regarding the statistics Ware provided on the casualties and applications for pensions from the regiments engaged at Santiago. Roosevelt is proud to note that the Rough Riders had more casualties and fewer applications for pensions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-07
George B. Cortelyou writes to Admiral Taylor and Commander Wainwright to inform them that President Roosevelt would like to know Admiral Sampson’s signal flag custom when leaving the blockading fleet and whether the New York was within signal distance when the Battle of Santiago de Cuba began.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-10
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
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Taft that he was honored to serve with Captain George L. Byram at the Battle of Santiago. Roosevelt now wishes to consider Byram for General C. G. Treat’s position at West Point if it is not too egregious, but would be open to considering him for other more legitimate positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-03
President Roosevelt asks Commissioner Henry Litchfield West to consider hiring ex-sergeant of the 9th Infantry, Army, John Strain, to the police force. Roosevelt writes “his conduct was excellent under my own eye in the fighting at Santiago.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-19
President Roosevelt responds to the complaints of an unnamed correspondent of Senator Proctor. He defends the military promotions that have happened during the Roosevelt administration and his policy of not strictly staying with officer seniority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-20
From their time during the Santiago campaign, President Roosevelt knows that John Fox Jr. is suited to be a war correspondent. He wishes Fox well on his eastern trip and gives permission to show the letter to any American officials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-20
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Griscom to acquire a pass for Richard Harding Davis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-17
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
President Roosevelt states that Mr. Morrison is the son of the late Captain T. W. Morrison who died leading his men at Santiago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-03
President Roosevelt believes the memorandum will stand the test of history, most likely referring to Roosevelt’s investigation into the events and controversy surrounding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-24
President Roosevelt has been examining the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War and it bothers him that the two American Admirals were on ships that were not part of the fighting line. Roosevelt would like Secretary Long’s opinion on a policy that places naval commanders on “one of the great fighting ships” during war and possibly during peace time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-22
President Roosevelt is looking into a dispute over the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Credit for the victory is disputed and President Roosevelt believes that William Thomas Sampson was technically in command. Roosevelt thanks General Tracy for his assistance with the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-17
The changes requested by Captain Clark have been added to the statement and President Roosevelt would like Clark to look over the statement again. The statement pertains to the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-08
The Spanish navy was defeated at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War, but credit for the victory was disputed between Admiral Sampson, who was technically in command but absent during the battle, and Admiral Schley, who led the fleet during the battle and was de facto in command since Sampson had left the fleet to attend a meeting. President Roosevelt believes that Sampson remained technically in command but that credit for the victory does not entirely rest on the technical commander.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-07
President Roosevelt will nominate Charles E. Clark for an unnamed position and thanks Clark for his help with the Sampson-Schley matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-22