Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. E. Haussman
Theodore Roosevelt asks J. E. Hausmann for a favor.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-07-10
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United States. Army. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Frederick Scott Oliver’s book, Alexander Hamilton. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to raise a cavalry regiment similar to the Rough Riders and serve with his four sons. He argues that Great Britain would probably not have entered the war if Germany had respected Belgian neutrality and is distressed at his own country’s failures to defend international rights. Roosevelt has been annoyed at the activity of pacifists. English pacifists should be concerned about defeating Germany and American pacifists should be demanding that the United States follow through on the country’s international obligations. Pacifists are “playing Germany’s game” by demanding peace without regard to the terms of peace. Roosevelt believes a nation must be strong to preserve friendships and respect. He would like the United States and Great Britain to have a “peculiarly close degree of friendship.” Roosevelt is currently out of sympathy with the American public and commands little support.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-07-23
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
Theodore Roosevelt has been impressed with the efficiency of Germany’s industry and military. He is distressed that the United States has not matched European nations in industrial and military matters. Roosevelt blames American leadership for this failure. If he had been president, an immediate stand would have been taken against Germany and the United States would likely now be fighting with Great Britain. Roosevelt is disgusted by American pacifists and President Wilson’s statement that the nation is “too proud to fight.” There should have been a “popular revolt” against Wilson. Roosevelt wishes he and his sons were in trenches and is already planning to raise a “division of mounted riflemen” similar to the Rough Riders. He concludes with updates on several Roosevelt family members.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-06-17
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-04-02
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Wallace Hugh Whigam
Theodore Roosevelt looks forward to reading an article coming out by Lieutenant Colonel Whigam. Roosevelt is especially interested since Whigam fought as a cavalryman in Cuba alongside Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-03-05
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jane Addams
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Jane Addams about Mr. McCoy. Roosevelt states that it is not likely that Mr. McCoy was part of his regiment.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-01-24
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the American Legion
Theodore Roosevelt supports the raising of an American Legion and believes the best way to avoid war is to prepare in advance. In the event of war, Roosevelt hopes to raise a division of cavalry similar to the Rough Riders of the Spanish-American War. The creation of a military reserve will be of great benefit to the United States and Roosevelt recommends working closely with regular Army. He agrees to serve as chairman of the Board of Honorary Advisors.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-02-22
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton
Theodore Roosevelt was sorry to hear that the operation failed and that Mrs. Buxton is now blind. He appreciates the articles on the war and will send Edward North Buxton what he has written on the subject. Roosevelt is pleased to hear of the high spirits in Great Britain. Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Richard Derby have been working at the American Hospital in Paris for three months. Roosevelt wishes there was a division of Rough Riders to assist the Belgians.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-12-19
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Crozier
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates General Crozier’s article in the North American Review. He agrees that nations can arbitrate all matters after reaching “a certain static position in relation to one another,” such as between the United States and Canada. However, pacifists do not face real world facts and harm the country by leading to “tom-fool positions.” Roosevelt agrees with Crozier regarding Mexico but is not yet ready to state his views. He was interested in General Brugere’s letter and wishes he could serve with him in the war. However, Roosevelt is not willing to fight unless he is leading American troops and believes he could raise a division similar to the Rough Riders.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-12-11
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous
Theodore Roosevelt is saddened that Frederick Courteney Selous has been unable to reach the warfront and believes an exception should be made. Several Rough Riders were considered unsound or too old but they performed above average. Roosevelt understands Selous’s concerns about the war and is unsure if the Russians, whose troops have endurance and are abundant, but inferior, can effectively mount an offensive against Germany. He admires and respects Germans but cannot ignore that Germany has spent fifty years developing a foreign policy that has made them a menace to all their neighbors. Roosevelt abhors German militarism that has created “contempt for international morality and such appalling ruthlessness in war.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-12-04
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Walter M. Chandler
Theodore Roosevelt forwards Representative Chandler a letter, and explains that Leon Brown was a member of Roosevelt’s regiment. He asks Chandler to get in touch with Representative Charles David Carter and help the bill in every way possible.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-11-21
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous
Theodore Roosevelt feels that his writings will have the most usefulness in the United States. He has “contemptuous dislike” for the Wilson administration and is especially distressed at the handling of the European war and Mexico. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Frederick Courteney Selous’s troop of frontiersmen was not sent to the front. He approves of thorough training for soldiers but also believes that ordinary generals do not realize the possibilities of men like the frontiersmen, or Rough Riders, who can perform “very great feats.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-11-14
Letter from Edward N. Brown to Theodore Roosevelt
Edward N. Brown is currently working as a Forest Ranger, but has heard that Theodore Roosevelt might be arranging a division of Rough Riders, and is interested in joining. He tells Roosevelt some of his history and credentials he has gained by working in the West, and feels that he would be a good fit. Even if Roosevelt cannot accept his application, he would appreciate a letter so that he can show his fellow rangers.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-03-18
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Goethals
President Roosevelt introduces Colonel Goethals to one of his Rough Riders wishing to work on the Panama Canal.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-02-18
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Toshihiko Yamazaki
President Roosevelt thanks Toshihiko Yamazaki for his Japanese translation of Roosevelt’s volume of essays, The Strenuous Life, and expresses his deep appreciation for Yamazaki’s preface to the translation. Roosevelt is especially honored that Yamazaki carried a copy of The Strenuous Life with him during battle in Manchuria.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-01-12
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood
President Roosevelt tells Major General Wood that while he wishes he could accept the invitation to an upcoming dinner, he must decline. Roosevelt does not wish to attend any dinners before leaving for Africa–even one held by his old regiment, the Rough Riders. He will be attending professional lunches in connection with his upcoming work at The Outlook, but will not be attending any other events.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-16
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Michael Regan
President Roosevelt writes to Chief Regan of the Buffalo Police Department in New York regarding Anthony J. Gavin, a former Rough Rider. Roosevelt asks if there is any way in which Gavin’s work could be made easier, or if he could be given any favor. Gavin is getting on in years and Roosevelt feels an attachment to his old comrade-in-arms. Roosevelt hopes Regan will not misunderstand his action in writing to him.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-09
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edwin Emerson
President Roosevelt tells Edwin Emerson, a former Rough Rider, that he wishes he could be present at the dinner, but that it is out of the question. Roosevelt believes that the flag the regiment carried is in Arizona, but thinks it is unwise to keep sending it across the country to different reunions.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-04
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Dudley Stuart Dean
Roosevelt tells Dudley Stuart Dean that in the event the United States gets involved in a war where there is substantial fighting on land, he would like to raise a brigade or division like he did with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. Should such a thing come to pass, Roosevelt would like to put Dean as an officer, and praises Dean’s “courage, hardihood, energy, resourcefulness, and administrative ability.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-11-28
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred B. Dunn
President Roosevelt tells former Rough Rider Alfred B. Dunn that he likes to appoint men from his old regiment when possible, but he needs local support to do so. He instructs Dunn to speak with W. Sloan Simpson, who can direct him to Colonel Cecil Andrew Lyon.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-11-13