United States. War Dept.

Report from George Dewey to Victor Howard Metcalf

Admiral Dewey, reporting as senior member of the Joint Board, sends Secretary of the Navy Metcalf a report detailing the development of thinking regarding a proposed naval base at Subig bay in the Philippines. While this site was initially considered ideal from a purely naval perspective, this conclusion was later revised, due to increased input from army officers regarding the possibility of defending the site from landward invasions, as well as events during the Russo-Japanese War highlighting new factors that had to be taken into consideration. These developments resulted in the recent recommendation of Manila Bay as the more suitable site for a naval base.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-05

Letter from George Dewey to William H. Taft

Admiral Dewey notifies Secretary of War Taft of the resolutions of the Joint Board pertaining to the question of whether the battle fleet should be retained in the Pacific Ocean pending the completion of coastal defenses in the region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-21

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 Robert Shaw Oliver to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of War Oliver informs President Roosevelt that he agrees with Secretary of War William H. Taft’s prior recommendation that Colonel Charles H. Whipple should be promoted to Paymaster-General after current Paymaster-General Culver C. Sniffen retires. Major Elijah Walker Halford had also been up for consideration, but was ultimately rejected by Taft as he had been too ill to fulfill his duties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-02

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

Superintendent Young of Yellowstone National Park describes actions he has taken to ensure that the officers, soldiers and scouts on duty observe and enforce park rules. Although there have been challenges retaining enlisted men, in three months he has been able to convict eleven poachers, including a non commissioned officer. Young describes the difficulties of working with state game wardens, and he hopes that being a civilian administrator in a position higher than that of the officer selected to command the troops does not breed resentment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-06

Letter from Harry O. Williard to Francis E. Leupp

Captain Williard writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp about an issue that came to his attention recently. Father Anselm Weber notified him that the Indian Rights Association was protesting about Leupp and Superintendent William T. Shelton about their actions against Navajos that resulted in several being killed. Williard explains that he has become involved because he believes that he is responsible for the matter, and he defends the choices he made that resulted in the deaths.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-29

Letter from Robert Lee Howze to Theodore Roosevelt

Commandant of Cadets Howze recommends President Roosevelt implement a requirement for military officers to undertake a three-day riding expedition with overnight camping twice a year. Howze thinks this will be an important motivator for officers to stay in shape, as well as give them a reason to be familiar with being in the field. Howze believes the vast majority of current officers are not currently experienced in the field, recounting a recent excursion to Fort Myer. Howze asks Roosevelt not to forward this letter to the War Department, as it will not lead to positive results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-26

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop sends President Roosevelt a rough draft of talking points he can use in his message about the Panama Canal. Bishop also includes a detailed description of the canal’s progress, as well as his evaluation of some other members of the Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-16

Letter from Benjamin Alvord to WIlliam F. Stewart

Adjutant General Alvord informs Colonel Stewart that the War Department is preparing to assign him to a new post, without command. President Theodore Roosevelt has instructed that Stewart be offered the chance to retire instead. Stewart is given twenty-four hours to decide if he will retire or not.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-23

Letter from Nelson O’Shaughnessy to William Loeb

Neal O’Shaughnessy recalls President Roosevelt’s interest in the Mannlicher-Schonauer rifle with a mounted telescope. He discusses the advantages of telescopes over ordinary firearm sights. O’Shaughnessy plans to send some to the War Department to be mounted on the United States’ new standard-issue military firearm and offers to mount one for Roosevelt if he sends the firearm. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-28

Report on Max Pracht and W. Scott Smith

The writer asserts that Max Pracht and W. Scott Smith are “working together” and offers evidence. Pracht was suspended from the Land Office for insubordination and sought help from Senator John H. Mitchell; but when Mitchell was unable to help, Pracht turned to Smith and Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock to obtain his current post at the War Department. Events discussed since then by Pracht could only be known through a source close to the Secretary of the Interior such as Smith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Letter from Fred W. Carpenter to William Loeb

Under the direction of Secretary of War Taft, Fred W. Carpenter responds to William Loeb, secretary to President Roosevelt, who requested information on precedents for discharging a battalion, including Robert E. Lee or any others. Carpenter encloses a reply from the office of the Military Secretary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-05

Letter from Fred W. Carpenter to William Loeb

Under the direction of Secretary of War Taft, Fred W. Carpenter sends William Loeb, Secretary to President Roosevelt, communication and papers from Mr. Cobb of Idaho.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-06

Letter from Fred Carpenter to William Loeb

Secretary of War Taft has instructed William Loeb to respond to Fred W. Carpenter’s request asking when the War Department or associated officials have “discharged men or mustered them out without honor or in any other way without court-martial.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-10

Letter from Fred W. Carpenter to William Loeb

On behalf of Secretary of War William H. Taft, his private secretary encloses a copy of a telegram from Provisional Governor of Cuba Charles E. Magoon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-23

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends to President Roosevelt a confidential letter from Governor Charles Edward Magoon of Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-20

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge feels that President Roosevelt’s denunciations of demagogues and agitators are often subsumed by his denunciations of trusts, and urges Roosevelt to pay attention to both in the upcoming elections. The question is how to defeat them without making the public feel they are just as dangerous as the demagogues. As an example, Lodge mentions General Stephen Minot Weld, who is the kind of man they depend on for support and who they do not want to frighten into thinking, rightly or wrongly, that they are as extreme as the Hearsts and Morans are.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-13

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt that there are enough troops to warrant having two Generals in Cuba during the United States’ occupation there, although James Franklin Bell would outrank Frederick Funston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from Frank McIntyre to Theodore Roosevelt

Captain McIntyre writes to President Roosevelt about a cable received from Secretary of War Taft from Cuba. Taft is concerned about vacancies in the Philippine Commission and recommends the appointment of W. Morgan Shuster. Though brash, Shuster is qualified and is popular among Filipinos. McIntyre forwards all of the cablegrams regarding the appointment. He asks that Roosevelt reply with his decision so he can update Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24