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President Roosevelt has limited his military cadet appointments to the sons of army and navy officers. They have no political influence and deserve the appointments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-16
President Roosevelt would be pleased if Major Scott’s son could receive an appointment. Scott was wounded in the fighting against the Moros in the Philippines and Roosevelt hopes that Scott can succeed Colonel Mills as superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-23
Marcus Alonzo Hanna’s death was a tragedy. He had many “large and generous traits.” Near the end, Hanna sent Roosevelt a note that showed him at his best. Roosevelt recently had lunch with Buffalo Bill. Granville Fortescue is working to get sent to Korea in order to see the fighting of the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt agrees that a West Point education would be good for Ted Roosevelt, just like it would be good for anyone, but he believes that Ted has too much potential to enter the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-19
This document reports the significant moments in Albert Leopold Mills’s military career. Highlights include his extensive career as a military instructor, his involvement in campaigns against the Crow and Sioux, as well as the battles at Santiago and Las Guasimas in Cuba, and his receipt of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Colonel John W. Vrooman reports in a letter to William Loeb, which encloses this document, that this copy represents what was contained within the “beautiful engrossed album containing nineteen parchment pages enclosed in a handsome leather cover.” The album was a souvenir at the Union League Club dinner celebrating General Mills on August 29, 1906.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
President Roosevelt believes that Ted Roosevelt has the perseverance and common sense to succeed in civilian life. In Roosevelt’s experience, many military men were “fossilized” and lacking in ambition. Opportunities in the military are limited and chances to truly rise above may only happen once in a generation. Ted’s education will also be limited due to the required years of service after attending a military academy. Roosevelt wants Ted to think over his future carefully before making any decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-11
President Roosevelt was pleased to nominate Brigadier General A. L. Mills and felt he had done a service for the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-13
President Roosevelt encloses a request from Major Eric Bergland for his son, William Scott Bergland, to be appointed to the Military Academy. The younger Bergland was appointed last year but failed due to poor eyesight. Roosevelt favors Bergland’s appointment but does not want any favoritism shown. He requests a report on similar appointees with defective vision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-22
President Roosevelt is afraid that all fall appointments to the military academies, as well as first and second alternates, are full.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-05
President Roosevelt regrets not being able to help Eliot Tuckerman, but his policy is only to appoint the sons of army and navy officers to the military academies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-20
President Roosevelt thanks Dr. Brady for his book and cannot promise an appointment to one of the military academies for Brady’s son
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-14
Congress will only allow President Roosevelt to make five appointments to the military academies and he intends to give priority to the sons of officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-12
Dr. Brady’s son has been appointed as alternate to one of the military academies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-11
President Roosevelt supports Senator Depew’s appointment of Crosby Matthews, son of Franklin Matthews, to the United States Military Academy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-12
If possible, President Roosevelt would like to see Edwin Sumner’s son appointed to one of the military academies. Senator Lodge supports Sumner’s son above any other Massachusetts man.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-24
President Roosevelt’s first choice for appointing a New Yorker to West Point is Charles H. Bonesteel. His second choice is Rodney Smith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-28
Senator Platt has filed recommendations for the appointment of Bonesteel and Smith to the United States Military Academy; preference will be given to Bonesteel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-01
President Roosevelt will carefully consider the appointment of Charles H. Bonesteel Jr. to West Point. Roosevelt would like to show Senator Platt the endorsements for William J. Youngs as District Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-21
At the proper time, President Roosevelt would like Secretary of War Root to bring Colonel William A. Pew to his attention for appointment to the Board of Visitors to West Point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-14
President Roosevelt goes over the historical resources that are available on West Point and has instructed the War Department to send any official reports on West Point to Brander Matthews.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-13
President Roosevelt will only appoint the sons of army or navy officers unless there is a locality with a deficiency of candidates which allows him to appoint more distant relatives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-14