United States. Army

Letter from George Dewey to William H. Taft

Admiral George Dewey writes to Secretary of War Taft to report on a meeting of the Joint Board discussing the defenses of Puget Sound. The meeting discussed several alleged deficiencies in the defense that had been raised by United States Representative William E. Humphrey of Washington State. Dewey reviews these charges, as well as general information about Puget Sound and the measures already taken for its defense. The Board concludes that once presently-planned changes to the defenses of Puget Sound are completed, they will be sufficient with assistance from the Navy, but at present they are not sufficient. Dewey outlines several steps that the board recommends.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-20

Memoraundum from Newton E. Mason and William Crozier to Theodore Roosevelt

Admiral Mason and Brigadier General Crozier provide a memorandum for President Roosevelt on the topic of explosive for bursting charges for projectiles for the Army and Navy. Mason and Crozier provide details on how this explosive is produced, as well as the quantities the Army and Navy expect to need over the next several years and the costs associated with the amounts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-20

Letter from Lincoln Steffens to William Loeb

Lincoln Steffens informs William Loeb that after Francis J. Heney visited him in Washington, he is clear on the matters relating to W. C. Bristol, United States Attorney for Oregon, and Colonel Stewart, who has been accused of being unfit to lead. As a potential successor to Bristol, Christian Schuebel’s competence had been questioned, but the suggested alternative, William Simon U’Ren, would not accept the appointment. Regarding Stewart, the president should know that though Stewart’s colleagues may see him as unfit, there is not sufficient evidence for discharge, and he hopes Roosevelt will review General William Penn Duvall’s malicious behavior surrounding the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy Metcalf have reopened inquiry into an order declaring that naval medical ships be treated as hospital ships and placed under the command of medical officers. The writer asserts that this order is correct, and offers examples of times when medical ships under the order of a line officer, rather than a medical officer, have violated neutrality during times of war. All hospital facilities, whether ships or otherwise, should be under the command of surgeons rather than line officers. This practice would be in keeping with the army’s practice regarding hospital ships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-04

Letter from Austen G. Fox to Andrew Carnegie

Austen G. Fox writes to Andrew Carnegie with a fishing story about Colonel Henry A. Babbitt. He explains that Babbitt was a Civil War veteran who married Fox’s wife’s mother, Mrs. Thomas F. Hopping.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-21

Major Russel’s Military History

Major Russel, in response to Colonel Gardiner’s request, gives his military history, starting with his entry into the military in 1861, until he was, to his surprise, taken out of service in 1871. He believes this was a result of General John Gibbon’s dislike of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-24

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

General Wood tells President Roosevelt he has received his instructions regarding how to handle trouble with a foreign enemy near the Philippine Islands. He tells the president, however, there is not clear understanding between the Army and Navy as to what they need to do. Wood indicates he has recommended an increase in the Philippine garrison to make sure it is large enough to protect the important places from raids and updates Roosevelt on the topographical work in the Philippines. Wood spends the majority of the letter discussing the relative strength of the military on the island and what he believes is necessary to be able to defend Subic Bay. He urges the development of a local board of fortification. Wood concludes by encouraging the development of a large Pacific fleet and informs Roosevelt he sent a similar letter to the War Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-13

Letter from Henry T. Allen to William Loeb

Major Allen praises the comments made by President Roosevelt about the army and the needs of the service in his message to Congress. He particularly approves of Roosevelt’s point that the army must be physically ready for battle, and that the standing army should be adequately staffed with trained soldiers to meet a crisis. He will be hunting mountain lions which have been notably scarce this year, and admires the “soldier’s temperament” of Yellowstone Park supervisor General S. B. M. Young, noting “West Point cannot give it.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-08

Letter from John F. O’Rourke to John McGaw Woodbury

John F. O’Rourke recommends that Major Woodbury reinstate Major Samuel A. Russel to his position in the United States Army so that he may draw his pension. O’Rourke has developed a personal regard for Major Russel as an employee and friend, and is convinced of his good character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-04

Letter from A. J. Halford to William Loeb

A. J. Halford asks that his son, Lieutenant Dean Halford, be reassigned a detail as an aid in the White House. Lieutenant Halford has spent the last several years stationed in the Philippines and expects to be stationed in Alaska soon, and A. J. Halford would like his son to be closer to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-20

Telegram from Robert Shaw Oliver to Leonard Wood

Because of doubts regarding the Army’s capabilities in the Philippines, President Roosevelt has ordered that all construction on the proposed naval base at Subic Bay be halted until proper study is made into whether the Bay can be properly defended by land. If Subic Bay is not sufficiently defensible, the Joint Board is to give further consideration towards using Manila Bay as the location for the base.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-28

Letter from H. P. McCain to William F. Stewart

H. P. McCain informs William F. Stewart that he is being relieved from his current post of duty and reassigned to Fort Grant, Arizona. Stewart will now report directly to the Adjutant General’s office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-02

Letter from Henry G. Sharpe to William H. Taft

Commissary General Sharpe sends Secretary of War Taft his recommendations for organization, recruitment, and promotion in the United States Army Supply Department, based on his studies of the British, French, and German armies and their supply networks. Sharpe suggests combining a number of departments into a new Supply Department and establishing new regulations for officer promotions. He also encourages the Transportation Department to establish depots of supplies throughout the country that could be quickly mobilized in times of need. Sharpe provides Taft with a list of changes he, as Secretary of War, could implement by his own directive, as well as those requiring approval from Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

Letter from William Sowden Sims to Theodore Roosevelt

As it is a matter of great consequence, Admiral Sims recommends President Roosevelt address the issues of the army’s gunnery methods “in a formal and official manner” and gives suggestions of how to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-17

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft gives President Roosevelt a review of the various vacancies and those appointed to fill them. He approves appointing Colonel Charles S. Smith to brigadier general based on his experience with coastal defense. However, he does not endorse the similar appointment of Colonel Medorem Crawford, describing him as a “humdrum, mediocre officer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-18

Letter from Arthur MacArthur to Samuel A. Russel

Arthur MacArthur agrees with Generals Charles A. Coolidge and Henry W. Wessells in their support of reinstating Captain Russel into the Army on the retired list.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-10

Letter from George Dewey to William H. Taft

Admiral George Dewey reports to Secretary of War Taft on a meeting of the Joint Board regarding the steps the United States should take in the event of a war between the United States and Japan becoming imminent. Because of the strength of Japan in the Pacific Ocean, the United States would have to be on the defensive there until reinforcements could be sent from the Atlantic. The Board recommends specific actions the United States should take immediately, moving coal, equipment, and forces to the Philippines, to be better prepared.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-18

Letter from James H. Aldrich to Jonathan Bourne

James H. Aldrich writes to Jonathan Bourne recommending C. T. Alden for the commission he seeks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-07

Letter from Charles A. Coolidge to Samuel A. Russel

Retired General Coolidge sends a letter recommending the reinstatement of Samuel A. Russel. Russel was a great soldier who did not get along well with General John Gibbon. Coolidge is confident in Russel’s ability.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-08

Letter from Henry W. Wessells to Samuel A. Russel

Retired Brigadier General Wessells testifies on behalf of Samuel A. Russel’s honorable conduct as an army officer, in support of Russel’s reinstatement to a post from which Wessells believes he was unjustly removed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-15