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Charles E. Hunter will gladly help fellow Rough Rider Arthur A. Luther organize a number “of the old Boys” for Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Houston, Texas. He suggests Luther send out printed invitations and forwards a roster of Rough Riders living in Texas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-29
John M. Neal tells Theodore Roosevelt that he is a former Rough Rider who was injured during the division’s stay at Montauk Point following their deployment to Cuba. He was struck in the legs and injured. He was briefly treated at a volunteer hospital before returning to camp. He did not seek further care because he did not think the injury was serious. The injury turned out to be severe, and he now cannot get a pension without a hospital record. He asks Roosevelt if he has any information about the volunteer hospital at Montauk Point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-01-07
Major Brodie congratulates President Roosevelt on his accomplishments in office, and wishes him luck on his trip and future endeavors. Brodie is getting older and fears that they will not meet in person again, and wants to share how much he admires Roosevelt. Brodie was proud to serve alongside Roosevelt as a Rough Rider, to serve as governor of Arizona Territory under Roosevelt’s administration, and to finish his career in an honorable army position. Brodie will be loyal to Roosevelt until “what is mortal of [him] shall be laid away in the churchyard.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
John Campbell Greenway writes to President Roosevelt to mourn the recent death of Albert V. Townsend, a former Rough Rider, who leaves behind a wife and two children. Greenway wishes he could have seen Roosevelt again before wishing him a happy New Year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-01
Leonard Wood tells President Roosevelt about a recent dinner of former Rough Riders that he was able to attend. All those who attended would like to have a farewell dinner for Roosevelt, to be hosted before he leaves for his African safari. Wood conveys the dual questions of whether Roosevelt would be able to attend, and when his schedule would permit such a dinner to occur so that preliminary invitations can be sent out.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-14
Robert Bridges has delayed responding to President Roosevelt’s question about photographers for his African safari until he could talk to William T. Hornaday. Two main names have been mentioned as possibilities: Ernest F. Keller and John C. Hemment. Bridges comments briefly on the credentials of the two men, as well as their possible cost to hire, but wished to see if Roosevelt had any personal preference between the two before discussing any further with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
Former Rough Rider Micah John Jenkins informs President Roosevelt that he has won his battle against alcohol, and has no desire to drink anymore. To mark the occasion, he sends Roosevelt a gallon of rye whiskey. He thanks Roosevelt for his example, which inspired him to stop drinking. Jenkins also sends a photograph from his young daughter, Ruth Darling Jenkins. He discusses the decorations for the room shown in the photograph, which includes engravings of Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and Napoleon I.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
French Ensor Chadwick thanks President Roosevelt for the copy of the book Rough Riders, but stands his ground regarding what constitutes heroism. Chadwick puts a great deal of emphasis on the different characters of Americans and Spaniards, writing of the “fatalism and fanaticism” of the Spanish character, and how this was shown in the actions of Pascual Cervera y Topete.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-06
Robert Bridges has received President Roosevelt’s letter enclosing an additional appendix to The Rough Riders. They have already sent it to the printer, who will make it Appendix G. Roosevelt will receive a proof in a few days.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-08
William H. H. Llewellyn encloses a newspaper clipping detailing how George F. Murray, a former Rough Rider of Troop G, shot and killed James German. Llewellyn has been asked to work in his defense but does not have the time. Murray is the ninth man from Troop G to have been killed since the war, and Llewellyn believes all of the killings were justified.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-18
Senator Lodge tells President Roosevelt that William S. Murphy will have his support. Murphy is a former Rough Rider who has shown his character and fitness, although he has also been in jail.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-13
George Otto Trevalyan is grateful for President Roosevelt’s interest in his work on the Revolutionary War, and says that he is going to be working on it in a enjoyable, leisurely pace He discusses Roosevelt’s own writings on military subjects ranging from history to his time with the Rough Riders. Ambassador to Italy Lloyd Carpenter Griscom often goes shooting alone with the King of Italy, and introduced Trevelyan’s son to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-18
Micah John Jenkins, a Rough Rider, reminds President Roosevelt that he served as Acting Colonel in Cuba while Roosevelt was Brigadier Commander. Although Colonel Joseph H. Dorst and others have informed him that he is entitled to pay for the time he held the position, Jenkins has never sought it until now. He recently lost everything in a house fire, and writes to Roosevelt about the situation before applying for pay. He would like to speak privately with Roosevelt if possible. Additionally, he is pleased to read in the papers that Secretary of War William H. Taft is likely to be nominated as Roosevelt’s successor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-11
New Mexico Governor Curry warns William Loeb of corporate and political efforts to portray President Roosevelt’s administration and the Rough Riders negatively in the press. He recommends sending a pro-Roosevelt delegation to avoid reactionary support of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Curry is awaiting instructions from President Roosevelt for scheduling the convention, and intends on continuing with his plan of not including federal office holders as representatives of the delegation. He adds that while David J. Leahy’s appointment as the new United States Attorney of New Mexico went smoothly, Curry is figuring out what should be done with Morgan Llewellyn, the Surveyor General of New Mexico. Curry will recommend his resignation if it is too embarrassing for President Roosevelt. He notes that Delegate William H. Andrews has introduced a statehood bill for New Mexico, and he will probably go with the committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
Because he had been invited to subscribe to shares in a mining company by Dr. Matt R. Root, Charles G. Rumery asks President Roosevelt to confirm whether Root had been a member of the Rough Riders. (Although Root had been a member of the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, which was occasionally referred to as “Torrey’s Rough Riders,” he was not part of the Rough Rider regiment commanded by Roosevelt.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Former Rough Rider William A. Bell asks President Roosevelt to send him an autographed photo. Bell is highly complimentary of Roosevelt, calling his “the best life lived by any American.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-20
Anthony J. Gavin wishes President Roosevelt a happy birthday, and hopes he will have many many more happy birthdays. Gavin has painted a picture of a cowboy for Roosevelt to remind Roosevelt of pleasant moments he passed in the saddle, both in the west and with their noble regiment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-26
Henry F. Tarbox writes to President Roosevelt about the election of Congressional representatives from his district. Tarbox hopes that Roosevelt will not express a preference for James W. Wadsworth, as Tarbox and his associates prefer Peter A. Porter. (Porter would go on to be elected that year.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-10
William H. Andrews conveys to William Loeb his feeling that Governor Herbert Hagerman of the New Mexico Territory is trying to “make trouble for us” by hinting at an investigation of Holm O. Bursum and the financial records of a penitentiary. Andrews asserts that Bursum has done no wrong. Regarding Arizona’s bid for statehood, Andrews wrote to approximately 100 Rough Riders there; most are loyal to the President, but a dozen or so responded negatively. Governor Joseph Kibbey of Arizona is “out to defeat joint statehood,” but if Wilson is appointed in Kibbey’s place, Andrews feels statehood would carry in Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Lillian Capron, President of the Rough Riders’ National Monument Society, sends President Roosevelt a drawing of a proposed Rough Riders monument at Arlington National Cemetery; she asks Roosevelt for his blessing and assistance with the completion of this monument as he was the Colonel of the Rough Riders. Capron’s husband died in the Spanish American War and was a member of Roosevelt’s regiment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17