Your TR Source
President Roosevelt suggests a correction that Captain Herbert H. Sargent may wish to make to his statement. Roosevelt notes that he saw the resolution handed to a correspondent from the Associated Press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-20
Payne J. Shafter recently heard Theodore Roosevelt speak at the Greek Amphitheatre, and was reminded of a poem, which he sends Roosevelt. In a postscript, Shafter mentions several prominent relatives of his.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-24
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
Gary Ross Mormino explores the relationship between Florida, Cuba, and the Spanish-American War. Mormino describes the enclaves of Cuban immigrants in Florida, and he notes that cities like Key West, Florida, were home to revolutionary movements and figures like Jose Marti. Mormino examines the influx of soldiers into Florida cities such as Tampa, Lakeland, and Miami, and he details the not unexpected difficulties with drink, women, and race relations between white and African American soldiers. Mormino also describes the chaotic mustering and departure of the troops from Florida, and he asserts that while much of Florida may have experienced a temporary economic boost from the war, it had “little long-term impact” on the state.
Eight photographs and five illustrations populate the article.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2009-10-24
Quintard Taylor provides a history of the African American servicemen, the Buffalo Soldiers, who served in the American West after the Civil War, and he examines the relationship between Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and two regiments of the Buffalo Soldiers, the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, that served alongside the Rough Riders in Cuba. Taylor highlights the heroics of individual Buffalo Soldiers, including recipients of the Medal of Honor, and he quotes extensively from Roosevelt’s writings to give Roosevelt’s views on these servicemen. Taylor examines a dispute that arose after the war when Roosevelt questioned the actions of some of the Tenth Cavalry men at the Battle of San Juan Heights.
A photograph of Taylor, five photographs of various Buffalo Soldiers, and an illustration of Roosevelt with Booker T. Washington appear in the article.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2009-10-24
Stacy A. Cordery explores the visit of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to Tampa, Florida, in June 1898 to spend time with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, before his regiment departed for battle in Cuba. Cordery provides background for the visit, including the poor health of Edith and her son Theodore Roosevelt in the months leading up to the Spanish-American War. Cordery describes the Tampa Bay Hotel where the Roosevelts stayed, and she notes Edith’s interactions with members of the Rough Riders and the press, in particular, reporter Richard Harding Davis. Cordery asserts that the visit was important to the Roosevelts, assuring Roosevelt that his wife was well enough to care for their family in his absence.
Six photographs accompany the text, including a portrait of the Roosevelt family, Roosevelt’s favorite picture of Edith, three scenes from Tampa, Florida, and a photograph of Cordery.
John A. Gable critiques a book and an article that have been cited to undermine the case for awarding Theodore Roosevelt the Medal of Honor. Gable considers Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan: The Making of a President by Harold Samuels and Peggy Samuels and an article by military historian Mitchell A. Yockelson. Gable argues that the panel considering the merits of Roosevelt’s case should consider these works so that they can see the weakness of the argument against awarding Roosevelt the medal. Gable highlights some of the deficiencies in each of these works and refers to the Samuels’s book as “a blatant hatchet job.”
A photograph of Gable with Tweed Roosevelt and two photographs of the Roosevelt Rough Rider equestrian statue in Portland, Oregon, supplement the letter.
Report on the successful effort to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions during the Battle of San Juan on July 1, 1898. The report details the history of the efforts to secure the medal for Roosevelt dating back to the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, and it closely examines the renewed efforts since 1996, highlighting the work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) and numerous members of Congress. The report also covers the White House ceremonies of January 16, 2001 presided over by President Bill Clinton, and it includes coverage of the heroics of Andrew Jackson Smith who was also posthumously awarded the medal for his actions during the Civil War. A history of the Rough Rider regiment, Clinton’s remarks at the ceremony, and the citation accompanying Roosevelt’s medal are included in the report.
Five photographs from the medal ceremony and two of Roosevelt appear in the article.
James B. Martin examines the tumultuous relationship between Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles and President Theodore Roosevelt during the first two years of Roosevelt’s administration. Martin details Miles’s impressive record as a field officer, earning the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and he shows how he was not as well prepared to fight bureaucratic battles in Washington, D.C., as the Commanding General of the Army. Martin looks at the issues that caused a breach between Miles and Roosevelt, including Miles’s criticism of American actions in the Philippines. Martin covers the role played by Secretaries of War Russell A. Alger and Elihu Root, and he lays most of the blame for the Miles-Roosevelt dispute at the feet of Miles, but he does note that Roosevelt’s large ego and decision not to forcibly retire Miles contributed to the feud.
Photographs of Miles and Root appear in the article. An article box on page eleven notes that this issue of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal is dedicated to Oliver R. Grace.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1987
Gary M. Lavergne provides an introduction to a document written by John Millicent Parker of Louisiana who lobbied President Woodrow Wilson to allow General Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt to form a division for service in World War I. Lavergne edited Parker’s recollection and John A. Gable provides an introduction to the article. Parker discusses his relationships with Wilson and Roosevelt and details his May 1917 White House meeting with Wilson. Parker notes the points he raised with Wilson arguing for a command for both Wood and Roosevelt, and he also details Wilson’s rebuttal and his refusal to allow the formation of a division by the two most famous veterans of the Spanish-American War.
A photograph of Parker and Roosevelt onboard a boat in 1915 accompanies the article.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1984
Four letters written by Theodore Roosevelt to President William McKinley from June to October 1898 about the war in Cuba. Two of the letters deal with the military campaign; one concerns the threat posed to U.S. troops by malaria; and in the last Roosevelt makes the case that he should be awarded the Medal of Honor.
A photograph of Roosevelt in his military uniform accompanies the letters.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1981
The “Book Notes” column has two separate articles dealing with the historiography of Theodore Roosevelt. In “Paperbacks on T.R.,” John A. Gable looks at seven works, mostly biographies and mostly published in the 1960s, about Theodore Roosevelt and notes the contributions that each makes to the study of Roosevelt. Frederick W. Marks reviews ‘A Good Innings’: The Private Papers of Viscount Lee of Fareham in “A Special English Friend: Arthur Hamilton Lee.” Marks traces the history of the Roosevelt-Lee friendship, examines the editing of the volume by Alan Clark, and remarks on Lee’s descriptions of prominent Americans.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1977
Senator H. A. Du Pont, a member of the Committee on Pensions, submits a report to the Senate on General Hamilton S. Hawkins’s service during the Battle of San Juan Hill. He includes a letter from Theodore Roosevelt that supports his statements. Du Pont proposes that because of Hawkins’s gallantry and faithful service, his widow, Annie Gray Hawkins, receives an increased pension to support her and her invalid daughter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-23
This brief headline notes the deleterious effect fever is having on American troops stationed in Santiago, Cuba, and mentions the round robin letter sent by Theodore Roosevelt and several other officers demanding their men be brought north immediately.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1898
The report discusses the administrative organization of the Navy Department, noting that the chiefs of various bureaus all report the the Secretary of the Navy, who is a civilian. The writer advocates for streamlining the bureaucracy in the department to increase efficiency, and to place line officers and other men directly involved with battle and preparing the fleet for action in positions of greater authority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-21
Sheet music for the patriotic song “For Victory of Our Country’s Flag,” which celebrates the American military heroes of the Spanish-American War. The song is dedicated to the United States Army and Navy. The cover features a large American flag and photographs of prominent individuals from the war, including Governor Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1899
Sheet music for “King of the Sea,” which celebrates the American military heroes of the Spanish-American War. The cover features an illustration of a triumphal arch with oval portraits of Admiral Dewey, General Shafter, Admiral Schley, Admiral Shafter, Richmond Pearson Hobson, Captain Evans, and Governor Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1900
Song book of ten patriotic songs, including titles such as “Our Country, May She Always Be Right,” “Our Own Native Land,” and “When the Troops Come Home.” The cover includes small, oval portraits of General Miles, General Shafter, Theodore Roosevelt, and General Wheeler.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1898
John Campbell Greenway recalls an incident after the Battle of San Juan Hill where it was suggested that the troops be withdrawn from their positions.
1913-09-13
John Campbell Greenway describes his experiences enlisting for and serving in the Spanish-American War, including the events leading to the Battle of San Juan Hill.
1899-03-03