Your TR Source
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
General Miles was reprimanded for speaking publicly regarding the Schley case and Maclay was dismissed for publishing a “diatribe” against Admiral Schley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Three elderly naval officers question the spirit of John Paul Jones regarding the “Navy Dept. vs. Jones” for charges of conduct during the Revolutionary War, such as “Item 962 concerning the charge of cowardice” and “Did you get a rake-off in the Grog contract?” A map on the wall in the background shows “the loop of the Bonhomme Richard.” The cartoonist is spoofing a court of inquiry requested by Admiral Winfield Scott Schley following accusations regarding his conduct during the Battle of Santiago. Caption: Chairman of Paul Jones Inquiry Board — Captain Jones, did you or did you not say, “Damn the Alliance! Let her take care of herself!”
The ghost of General Winfield Scott Hancock offers a warning to “presidential aspirants” General Nelson A. Miles, Admiral George Dewey, and Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schley, all about to step off a cliff in an effort to reach the chair of the “Presidency” hovering out of reach.
General Winfield Scott Hancock, the will-o’-the-wisp in this cartoon, was a long-passed caution to military men seeking the presidency. Scott ran a close campaign as a Democrat against James Abram Garfield in 1880; and died in 1886. The thrust of Keppler’s cartoon is somewhat blunted by the reality of military heroes and veterans vis a vis the presidency. After the Civil War, presidents who had served in uniform included Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt. Rather, as the immediate political situation addressed by Keppler played out, Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, Admiral George Dewey, and General Nelson A Miles were all spectacularly inept as presidential aspirants.
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.
Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, Admiral George Dewey, and General Nelson Appleton Miles sit gagged on a bench. Behind them on the wall are signs saying, “To hear and not be heard–that is the question.” and “When does a man love most to hear the human voice? When he’s doing the talking himself.” General Frederick Funston shows his order to join them, “Compliments of the President,” as he walks across the room.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-25
President Roosevelt kicks a “Sampson Schley controversy” toward the United States Capitol building. An alarmed “Miles fuss” cat looks on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-10
George B. Cortelyou writes to John Davis Long to inform him that he encloses President Roosevelt’s memorandum regarding the appeal of Admiral Schley, and he considers the case to be closed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-19
President Roosevelt updates President of Harvard Eliot on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s investigation into American agitators’ influence in the Cuban conflict. He discusses the “curious” opinion of having General Leonard Wood take control in Cuba given the previous backlash against him, even though Roosevelt considers him one of the “best officers we now have.” While Cuba is his immediate concern in foreign affairs, Roosevelt discusses the issues concerning the Hague and the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22
President Roosevelt has had a good deal of vacation over the summer and spent part of it rereading A. T. Mahan’s book. He also read a biography of military men. Roosevelt’s reading also led him to realize the “eternal tendency to injustice in humanity,” and views this injustice in the American public’s high opinion of Nelson Appleton Miles and Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-01
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 is working on the report for the Schley case and would like to discuss the case with Paul Dana when the rough draft is finished.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-05
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
President Roosevelt is frustrated with the controversy involving General Miles and Admiral Schley. He believes that individuals involved on both sides have behaved poorly, but especially the people who support Schley. They simply will not listen to reason. Roosevelt feels that instead of court-martialing several men an “effort was made to make things pleasant for everybody.” No good has come of the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-31
President Roosevelt hopes Robert Wilson Patterson can discuss the matter in person as it is of such high importance. He believes Patterson will agree that General Miles’s actions should be severely reprimanded. Roosevelt will give the matter concerning Admiral Schley his utmost attention, but emphasizes the case will be decided only on its merits. Popular opinion will not be taken into consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-21
French Ensor Chadwick thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his kind letter and hopes Roosevelt might be able to write anything about the Spanish American War. Chadwick plans to send Roosevelt an updated copy of his book because he made some alterations and additions in response to a review from the New York Times which commented on Winfield Scott Schley. Chadwick says it is thanks to Roosevelt and the court, the Navy’s standards of conduct have been upheld, which is the most important thing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-17
Holmes E. Offley hopes Frank Harper can get him a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to aid him in his efforts to get Congress to recognize his service in the Navy and the Navy Department from 1861 to 1876. He has testimonials from other prominent men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-04
Bernard J. Cigrand asks Theodore Roosevelt where in his family does the Huguenot line enter, as this information would be helpful in writing his latest article. Cigrand also says he has done research into the origin of the Roosevelt coat of arms, and can send a reproduction of it if Roosevelt desires.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-06
Victor Oscar Freeburg asks what Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite poem is. He would like to include it in an anthology of the favorite poems of great Americans. He has already received answers from various people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
This exhaustively illustrated account of the Spanish-American war seeks to present the official history of the war according to the United States War Records Office. It encompasses the events leading up to the war, the war itself, as well as its resolution and aftermath. While it mentions the various engagements taking place during the war, most of the focus is on Cuba and the action of the United States Navy and Army in fighting Spanish forces there in support of Cuban rebels. It additionally includes general information on the theaters of war, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
1900