United States Military Academy

Letter from Charles P. Nelson to Theodore Roosevelt

Lieutenant Commander Charles P. Nelson tells Theodore Roosevelt about his nephew, Louis E. Hibbs, who hopes to be able to attend West Point in 1912. Nelson asks if it would be possible for him to mention the matter to Senator Miles Poindexter, who has an appointment to make at that time. Nelson attests to the character of Hibbs, and is sure that he “has all the attributes of a fine officer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-26

Letter from Franklin J. Holben to Theodore Roosevelt

Franklin J. Holben asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s help in getting an appointment for his son Arthur to attend West Point.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-10

Letter from William D. Hancock to Theodore Roosevelt

Nine-year-old William D. Hancock has been reading about Theodore Roosevelt’s African trip in school. He and his parents are Roosevelt supporters. Hancock is allowed to get a gun at thirteen and wants to go to Africa with Roosevelt and attend the United States Military Academy to become a soldier.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-01

Letter from James F. Randlett to Theodore Roosevelt

James F. Randlett asks Theodore Roosevelt to endorse him to President William H. Taft to request a presidential appointment to the United States Military Academy for his namesake and godson, James R. Finley.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-22

Letter from Presley Marion Rixey to Theodore Roosevelt

Presley Marion Rixey has just returned from the Naval Training station in Chicago and the tubercular hospital in Colorado, and thanks President Roosevelt for giving the old fort to the Navy for such a purpose. Rixey has planned a one day fox hunt for Roosevelt and his daughter Ethel Roosevelt and hopes Roosevelt will not say no. Rixey asks Roosevelt to intercede in the case of West Point Cadet William J. Nalle, who was suspended from West Point for hazing, but only to do “what you consistently can.” Rixey wishes he could accompany Roosevelt on his upcoming African Safari, but fears he would be a hindrance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-30

Letter from S. B. M. Young to Theodore Roosevelt

S. B. M. Young hopes to present his soon-to-be wife to President Roosevelt sometime in 1908 and thinks the appointment at West Point would be a perfect trip for a bride. Though he would welcome the appointment, if there is another who Roosevelt would honor this year, he can wait until 1909. He is currently busy handling coyotes, and he enjoys the climate as well as the work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-30

Letter from Hugh Lenox Scott to H. P. McCain

West Point Superintendent Scott asks Adjutant General McCain to send his thanks to Emperor of Germany William II for the busts of Frederick II, King of Prussia, and General Field Marshal Count Helmuth Moltke.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-07

Letter from Robert Shaw Oliver to Elihu Root

Acting Secretary of War Oliver acknowledges the receipt of busts representing Frederick II of Prussia and Count Helmuth von Moltke, which have been presented to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Oliver asks Secretary of State Root to thank the German Ambassador on behalf of the War Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-11

Letter from Roger Bacon to William Loeb

Acting Secretary of State Bacon forwards copies of correspondence to William Loeb related to the recent gift of two busts by William II, German Emperor, to the United States Military Academy at West Point, as they may interest President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-17

Letter from Robert Bacon to William H. Taft

Acting Secretary of State Bacon passes along a message from German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg. German Emperor William II has gifted two busts to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York which are currently being held by the Department of State.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-25

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that, based on his service record, Brigadier General William Penn Duvall should succeed Major General William Spencer McCaskey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-16

Letter from Ernest Hamlin Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of his father, Ernest Hamlin Abbott thanks President Roosevelt for his attention to his father’s suggestions for religious facilities and appropriations to hire clergymen at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Naval Academy. Abbott returns several documents to President Roosevelt’s secretary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-27

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott worries that his comments were misunderstood, and he did not mean to offend anyone. Abbott explains additional funding is required for the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy chaplains, in order to occasionally have outside preachers. He states that outside preachers are common practice for other college congregations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-21

Letter from Lyman Abbott to John R. Mott

After visiting the military academies at Annapolis and West Point, Lyman Abbott lists his views on the religious buildings and services available to students. He believes the Young Men’s Christian Association should have a house on West Point’s campus for voluntary religious work and would like Congress to give the academies money to pay for these resources. He wishes for Mott to pass his thoughts on to whoever at the association could be made aware of this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-01

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott writes to President Roosevelt in regards to the lack of religious instruction offered to students at the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. Abbott proposes that Congress should appropriate funds for ministers to teach and preach at these academies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-10

Letter from Thomas H. Barry to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas H. Barry recommends replacing military attache to London, John H. Beacom, with Sydney A. Cloman. Beacom is a year away from completing his three year appointment as attache. Barry has known Cloman since he graduated from West Point and joined his regiment in 1887. He highly recommends him for the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-13

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that General Hamilton Smith Hawkins is “trying to get his son detailed for service at West Point” on the recommendation of Colonel Robert Lee Howze. Hawkins was an excellent officer, but he is a “most persistent seeker after favors.” Taft wants to keep Roosevelt advised should Hawkins come directly to Roosevelt and ask for a favor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-26

Letter from W. R. Livermore to Henry Cabot Lodge

Colonel Livermore asks Senator Lodge to help him secure a recently vacated brigadier general position as he would like to work at the Army War College. If this is not possible Livermore would like to be retired as a brigadier general, which he feels is appropriate considering his military record. Many in his 1866 class at West Point were not afforded the same promotions as those that came after them and have already retired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-08

Letter from Herbert Parsons to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Parsons thanks President Roosevelt for allowing LeGrand Beaumont Curtis to be named an alternate to take the examination for admission to West Point.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-28

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes President Roosevelt concerning the transfer of two West Point graduates to the cavalry. Taft asks if the President still wishes to bring Joseph W. Beacham back from the Philippines. Taft also briefly discusses what he learned in Vermont about opinions concerning the upcoming election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-29