Your TR Source
On behalf of President Roosevelt, William Loeb sends correspondence to Secretary of War Taft and asks if an African American contract surgeon can be appointed to serve with African American troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-21
President Roosevelt thanks Secretary of War Taft for the efforts of the army to provide relief to San Francisco following the earthquake that devastated the area. Roosevelt recalls other instances in which the army has provided similar relief, and affirms that the army has met these challenges “in noble fashion and with an efficiency which justified to the full its equipment in men and means.” Item includes shorthand and typewritten text.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-28
President Roosevelt tells Sir George Otto Trevelyan of his happiness regarding the recent 1904 presidential election, and remarks that he is glad people decided to support the positive message of the Republican Party, rather than the negativity of the Democratic Party. The president attributes his victory to the clear-cut message in his speeches and addresses as well as those canvassing for him. Roosevelt discusses the differences between the American president and other political leaders and believes the American president is more like the British prime minister than the French president. he additionally reflects on his intention not to run for a third term. Even without the convention of only two terms, the president believes it would be better for Secretary of War William H. Taft or Elihu Root to succeed him; they are similar in policy, but would have fresh thoughts and ways. Roosevelt concludes by discussing his recent reading. He praises a section from one of Abraham Lincoln’s speeches after his reelection and equates certain American political leaders to characters in Charles Dickens’s works.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-24
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Root that General Nelson Appleton Miles is seeking an appointment to the Philippines so that he can stop the cruelties and brutalities of the Army against Filipinos, which are similar to what was done against the Native Americans. Roosevelt told Miles that Governor General William H. Taft and General Adna Romanza Chaffee would not benefit if Miles were sent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-18
President Roosevelt writes to Herman Henry Kohlsaat to inform him that he has avoided confronting General Miles regarding the damage he has done to the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-24
George B. Cortelyou informs L. Clarke Davis that President Roosevelt agrees that expediency is a great factor. However, considerations of expediency might not be admitted in this case because the conduct of the Lieutenant General of the Army has been of such great detriment to the army and to the nation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-16
President Roosevelt informs Herman Henry Kohlsaat that he has not turned out General Miles due to misinformed popular feeling on Miles’s behalf. Roosevelt is convinced that Miles is releasing secret information to the army’s opponents in order to gain political capital for himself. If this could be proven, Miles would be removed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-10
President Roosevelt writes Commissioner of Pensions Ware regarding the statistics Ware provided on the casualties and applications for pensions from the regiments engaged at Santiago. Roosevelt is proud to note that the Rough Riders had more casualties and fewer applications for pensions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-07
Theodore Roosevelt is touched by G. M. De Rochambeau’s letter and fondly remembers De Rochambeau’s elder brother. Roosevelt states that the Government will not allow him to send troops to France, but hopes his four boys and son-in-law will be going to France once they finish training in the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-01
Theodore Roosevelt thanks C. R. McNabb for sending the photograph of McNabb with Comrade Hauser. Roosevelt reiterates the interest he holds in the enlisted men of the United States Army and Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt replies to General Wood’s letter and comments on the “great pleasure” he feels to become one of the Vice-Presidents of the Army League of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt gives a favorable recommendation and testifies for the work of Charles C. Pierce to M. Stephany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt emphatically recommends Theodore A. Alfred, based on Alfred’s character and achievements, for membership in the Century Association.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-18
Theodore Roosevelt asks Nelson H. Henry to consider the case of Robert J. Neppert, a soldier who fought with Roosevelt at Las Guasimo and Santiago, who claims he has not had justice in a recent situation.
Theodore Roosevelt recommends Stephen C. Mills for the position of Brigadier-General. He informs Henry L. Stimson that Mills was an impressive soldier when they served together in the Spanish American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-15
Theodore Roosevelt introduces General Leonard Wood to Colonel Frank A. Edwards, a friend who he regards highly. Roosevelt first met Edwards at Yellowstone National Park and considered him to be one of the best cavalry officers. Edwards enjoys using a revolver, wrote a technical Italian-English military dictionary, and was sent as a military attache to Rome by Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-15
Theodore Roosevelt asks Harry Pratt Judson, president of the University of Chicago, to look over the manuscript, Military Morale of Nations and Races, written by Captain Charles Young, “the only officer in the United States Army who is a colored man.” Roosevelt praises Young as an excellent officer with scholarly aptitude. Roosevelt feels Young’s manuscript ought to be published and hopes the University of Chicago Press will consider it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-27
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary apologizes, but Roosevelt is not able to give Kathryn Marie Coultry any information regarding her brother, as he was not in Roosevelt’s regiment. He suggests Coultry contact the officer who commanded the regiment her brother was in.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt found the book interesting and it has made him a convert. He also found the statistics about the Elandslaagte fight interesting. He compares them to and shares statistics from his experience in the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-05
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Harold L. Ickes about using the posts he suggested to create the extra officers the military will soon require. Roosevelt does not want to become involved in advocating for the details, however, as he wants to focus on what he considers to be the main issue–encouraging American preparedness and national solidarity while monitoring developments in Europe, the Pacific, and Mexico. Roosevelt does not believe in a large standing army, but he does support a large navy and universal military training. Roosevelt admits he is “ashamed of America” because of its current stance in regards to World War I.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-21