United States. War Dept.

General orders no. 118

As authorized by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Army Chief of Staff General Leonard Wood issues general orders regarding three issues. The first item concerns the sentence of James Huston. The second item is a notice that paragraphs 2 and 3 of General Orders, No. 186 issued by the War Department have been rescinded and substituted with the listed statements regarding the equitation training of officers at a mounted commands school, which is part of the prescribed garrison training. The third item advises that Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh has designated the City National Bank of Galveston, Texas, to succeed the Galveston National Bank for disbursing funds related to the War Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-24

Capt Hall to protest

The War Department denied artist George E. Hall’s petition to build a studio at Bear Skin Neck on land supposedly owned by the United States Government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-31

Letter from Thomas Henry Barry to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Henry Barry, Superintendent of West Point, sends Theodore Roosevelt information on a bill currently in the New York State Assembly that would ban the sale of alcohol near the academy. He believes that it is being held up by saloon interests. In a handwritten postscript, Barry responds to Roosevelt’s note about a separate matter, saying that he “lectured the old fellow.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-13

Note from Presidential Office Staff

A note states that the War Department does not know of any such commission, but that it probably refers to the commission related to attached correspondence. A second note, presumably from a later date, says that it appears that the correspondence suggests that in June 1902, President Roosevelt intended to appoint someone else.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-10

Roosevelt—Ministers to Panama and angels of protection defend us!!! I believe she’s flirting with that man!!!

President Roosevelt escorts the “G.O.P. presidential nomination” as she waves at “Judge Taft” sitting in the window of the “War Dep’t.” Caption: Roosevelt—Ministers to Panama and angels of protection defend us!!! I believe she’s flirting with that man!!!

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01

Standing on his record

President Roosevelt crosses his arms and stands on an “expenditures 1903-4” mountain of money bags: “War Dept $115,000,000,” “Civil, and miscellaneous $132,000,000,” “pensions $142,000,000,” and “Navy Dept $102,000,000.” Two signs are in the background. The one on the left reads, “We intend in the future to carry on the government in the same way that we have carried it on in the past.” Theodore Roosevelt. The one on the right reads, “The governmental expenditures last year mounted up to five hundred and eighty-two millions, which is not equalled by any year since the Civil War, with the exception of the year of the Spanish War.” Alton B. Parker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

Memorandum from George B. Davis to James Franklin Bell

Judge-Advocate General Davis informs Army Chief of Staff Bell that the War Department has received a Senate resolution asking for information on the employment of detectives and the authority granted to them. Davis states that the investigation of Herbert J. Browne and William Gibboney Baldwin into the Brownsville Affair was satisfactory. Gilchrist Stewart spoke with President Roosevelt about the Brownsville Affair, and is satisfied that the shooting occurred as reported, and Browne is going to speak with Stewart to see what information he has on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-17

Charges against Morris

In a statement, Minor Morris reveals the reason he was dismissed from his position as a clerk in the War Department in 1902, which led to the incident where his wife, Laura A. Hull Morris, was forcibly removed from the White House. Morris asserts that John A. T. Hull requested his removal because he made false accusations against him. Morris denies the accusations. His wife went to the White House to ask President Roosevelt for justice, and he believes that her treatment is “a lasting disgrace to all the participants save the victim.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-23

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Loomis feels it best to keep the governorship of the Canal Zone and United States minister to Panama as separate offices, at least for the rest of the year, as there will be a considerable number of negotiations with Colombia and Panama. Loomis asks Loeb to have President Roosevelt share this information with the War Department and relevant congressional committees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-03

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt various papers in response to Roosevelt’s question regarding what actions the War Department has taken to develop a system of floating mines. He asks Roosevelt to return the items after he is finished with them for retention in the Department’s records.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-11

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmond Favor Noel

In reply to Governor Noel’s telegram, President Roosevelt says that the War Department and Red Cross are ready to give “substantial assistance,” but they need more detail about the extent of the disaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-27

Note on extract sent to War Department

Captain Frank Ross McCoy has stated that President Roosevelt would like to send an extract from a letter by Baron Hermann Speck von Sternburg to the War Department, as it is relevant to the revision of firing regulations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-18

Existing administrative organization of the Navy Department

The report discusses the administrative organization of the Navy Department, noting that the chiefs of various bureaus all report the the Secretary of the Navy, who is a civilian. The writer advocates for streamlining the bureaucracy in the department to increase efficiency, and to place line officers and other men directly involved with battle and preparing the fleet for action in positions of greater authority.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-21

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge protests Captain M. B. Stewart’s transfer from West Point to the Philippines. The transfer was in punishment for writing a letter to The Sun in opposition to an Army pay service bill that has the support of the Roosevelt administration and directly refuting a letter written in support of the bill by Captain Johnson Hagood. Lodge sees nothing inappropriate in Stewart’s actions and argues that punishing an officer for disagreeing publicly with the bill will only harm its chances of successful passage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-07

Letter from Frank McIntyre to William Loeb

Major McIntyre forwards William Loeb a cablegram addressed to President Roosevelt from Secretary of War William H. Taft. Taft states his visit to Berlin is only required if the German Emperor William II is also visiting the city. Additionally, unless Roosevelt thinks otherwise, he feels travel to Paris and the Isle of Wight are no longer necessary. Such changes will enable an earlier departure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-08

Headquarters Philippines division: general orders no. 16

This general order outlines the tasks for preparing American soldiers for the Philippines. The officers hold night drills, practice marches, and address field problems. Enlisted soldiers will practice swimming and target practice. The military will hold a tournament to create a friendly rivalry between the different military batteries and organizations. The judges will be holding sanitation contests, as well, for setting surgical standards.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-20

Letter from Robert B. Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

Robert B. Roosevelt recommends his father-in-law Lewis Randolph Hamersly for an honorary appointment to a position in the War Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-18

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Taft encloses a note from Lloyd Wheaton Bowers concerning Joseph William Blythe and Graeme Stewart.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-18

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft replies to a letter concerning his attendance at the St. Louis Exposition as a representative of the United States government. Taft states he will attend, but will represent the Philippine government. Taft is returning the telegram from David R. Francis and the letter from Secretary of State John Hay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-02

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft encloses a memorandum forwarded by Army Chief of Staff S. B. M. Young. Retired Brigadier General Aaron Simon Daggett had recommended that United States Army regulations should be changed to prohibit army chaplains from duty as counsel for enlisted men, exchange officers, and other positions. Taft recommends disregarding Daggett’s recommendations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-29