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Herbert P. Lee of the 14th Cavalry is pleased to hear of Ted Roosevelt’s recovery. He is serving in New Mexico and his post was recently inspected by General MacArthur. Lee has met Rough Rider John McSparron and regrets not being able to serve with the Rough Riders. He asks if the 5th Army Corps will be awarded a medal and bars for the Santiago Campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-16
Henry Loomis Nelson agrees with President Roosevelt’s statement on the Schley-Sampson controversy and hopes it settles the matter. However, he pleads with the President to strike from the statement a phrase asserting that neither Sampson nor Schley did anything to deserve a vice admiralship. Nelson fears this will only hurt Sampson and all those who support him, and will embolden their adversaries. Roosevelt’s statement is complete without this reference, and Nelson asks him to strike it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-16
Henry E. Cooper, the Hawaiian Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1898, encloses a statement concerning the attitude of the Hawaiian Executive at the beginning of the Spanish-American War. He also encloses letters from President Sanford B. Dole and Minister Francis March Hatch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-21
The Schley-Sampson controversy has “caused much pain and chagrin to every friend of the Navy” and Benjamin F. Tracy believes that Admiral Schley’s appeal offers an opportunity for President Roosevelt to end the controversy and give both Admirals the honor they deserve for the blockade and battle of Santiago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-01
Rear Admiral Evans provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Evans commanded USS Iowa during the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Rear Admiral H. C. Taylor provides his account of the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Rear Admiral Wainwright provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Paul Dana provides information from Philip and Dieuaide regarding the USS Brooklyn‘s movements during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-04
Benjamin F. Tracy argues that the question of command was involved in the question submitted to the court of inquiry regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He also defends Admiral Dewey’s right to express an opinion on the question. Tracy believes that under the circumstances command must devolve to the next ranking officer as a fleet can never be without a commander.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-05
Captain Clark returns the statement, with his notes, regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba and hopes that the correct opinion prevails. He offers further information regarding USS Oregon, which Clark commanded during the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Rear Admiral Evans encloses his corrected statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Counsel for Rear Admiral Sampson request the opportunity to present evidence to the court of inquiry before a decision is rendered in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Rear Admiral Wainwright encloses his corrected statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Rear Admiral Taylor returns the enclosed with slight corrections. Considering the “File Schley” notataion, the enclosed is likely Taylor’s statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba for use in the Schley-Sampson controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-07
Rear Admiral Chadwick offers his memory of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba from his vantage point on the USS New York. He does not believe that any officer from the New York has testified before the court of inquiry. He concludes by requesting that Secretary of the Navy Long unofficially share his testimony with President Roosevelt, who is securing statements from naval officers concerning the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-08
George Edward Graham is concerned that a letter written to him by Admiral Schley has appeared in print and might compromise Schley with the Navy Department. The letter was sent to Graham’s publishers to show that Admiral Schley considered Graham’s book an authority on the Santiago campaign. The letter was marked confidential and appeared in a few circulars before being stopped. Graham hopes that this information will influence President Roosevelt to let the matter rest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-26
Secretary of the Navy Long encloses a letter from Captain Charles D. Sigsbee regarding the Santiago campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-15
Captain Sigsbee disagrees with testimony given by Mr. Graham during the Schley court of inquiry. He has read that Graham has met with President Roosevelt and Captain Sigsbee offers his version of events to be laid before the President if deemed appropriate. The disagreement is over when dispatches were sent and Admiral Schley’s actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-15
Nine letters of recommendation for Thomas Henry Barry for promotion to the grade of Brigadier General and copies of three letters of commendation praising Barry’s service in the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-16
George Edward Graham appreciates being consulted on the Schley case. He assures President Roosevelt that under no circumstances will he allow his personal relationship with Admiral Schley to influence his advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-20