Your TR Source
Photograph showing (front row, right to left): Theodore Roosevelt, Leonard Wood and former Civil War Confederate General, Joseph Wheeler. (Back row, right to left): Chaplain Henry A. Brown, Major Alexander Oswald Brodie and Major George Dunn.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1898
Four letters written by Theodore Roosevelt to President William McKinley from June to October 1898 about the war in Cuba. Two of the letters deal with the military campaign; one concerns the threat posed to U.S. troops by malaria; and in the last Roosevelt makes the case that he should be awarded the Medal of Honor.
A photograph of Roosevelt in his military uniform accompanies the letters.
Senator H. A. Du Pont, a member of the Committee on Pensions, submits a report to the Senate on General Hamilton S. Hawkins’s service during the Battle of San Juan Hill. He includes a letter from Theodore Roosevelt that supports his statements. Du Pont proposes that because of Hawkins’s gallantry and faithful service, his widow, Annie Gray Hawkins, receives an increased pension to support her and her invalid daughter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-23
Sheet music for the patriotic song “For Victory of Our Country’s Flag,” which celebrates the American military heroes of the Spanish-American War. The song is dedicated to the United States Army and Navy. The cover features a large American flag and photographs of prominent individuals from the war, including Governor Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1899
Song book of ten patriotic songs, including titles such as “Our Country, May She Always Be Right,” “Our Own Native Land,” and “When the Troops Come Home.” The cover includes small, oval portraits of General Miles, General Shafter, Theodore Roosevelt, and General Wheeler.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1898
John Campbell Greenway recalls an incident after the Battle of San Juan Hill where it was suggested that the troops be withdrawn from their positions.
1913-09-13
W. M. Parke records landing in Cuba and describes the landscape, pests, and living conditions. Parke recounts marching uphill, looking for water while drenched, and finding both water and Spanish wine. Parke also mentions marching forward as an advance guard under General Wheeler. He describes a skirmish and details positions of the troops, including a hand drawn map of the trail with the positions of Rough Riders, 2nd Cavalry, and 10th Cavalry.
1898-06
Hugh Gordon Miller addresses the Annual Lincoln Dinner of the Republican Club of the City of New York. He jokes about his previous speaking engagement in New York. He describes the historical and contemporary relationship between Virginians and New York. He celebrates the rebuilt union of states. Miller reviews the accomplishments of the United States and New South since the American Civil War. He teases about Kentucky’s politics. He pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, William McKinley, and Rough Riders. Miller regrets that the South is aligned with the Democratic Party and calls on Republicans in the North to help settle “the problem of the suffrage and of the races.” Miller concludes with a vision of the ideal United States. Club President Henry Edwin Tremain introduces Senator John M. Thurston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-02-12
President Roosevelt addresses an audience at the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition, commonly known as the Charleston Exposition. Roosevelt feels that the invitation for him to speak at the exposition emphasized how completely the United States has been reunited. The unity of the Nation became “instantly and strikingly evident” during the Spanish-American War and Roosevelt felt it was satisfying to see the sons of Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers serving together. Roosevelt details the accomplishments of several former Confederate soldiers within his own administration. He also praises South Carolina’s efforts to engage the West Indies in an industrial exposition, as the West Indies should “occupy a far larger place in our national policy” in the future. Roosevelt also praises the work the U.S. has done in Cuba, which will soon be a free public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-09
President Roosevelt remarks on the unification of the northern and southern states after the Civil War. He discusses several ex-Confederate officers who have been named to important positions in the federal government. He also discusses the importance of international relations with Puerto Rico and Cuba, and commends the Charleston Exposition for reaching out to the West Indies. Finally, Roosevelt discusses the various problems faced by American industry, and the role of the government in addressing those problems.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-09
President McKinley rides an elephant driven by Marcus A. Hanna. The elephant is carrying Russell A. Alger, Nelson Dingley, William R. Day, and William T. Sampson. A second elephant follows, and a group of men that includes “Nelson A. Miles, Theodore Roosevelt, Joseph Wheeler, Fitzhugh Lee, Henry C. Lodge, William R. Shafter, Winfield S. Schley, John T. Morgan, Cushman K. Davis, George Dewey,” and others, march alongside under the standard “Imperialism for Ever.” A group of disgruntled men sit on the roadside, watching the procession.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1899-01-18
President Roosevelt honors General Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly.
President Roosevelt honors Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech with edits and applause noted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-19
President Roosevelt honors General Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-19
President Roosevelt reminds the crowd in Asheville, North Carolina, of the state’s connection to American history. He mentions his recent visits to the battlegrounds at Chickamauga and Chattanooga and says no citizen can visit them without becoming a better American. He discusses his multi-state journey, saying it is a good thing for a president to travel so he can see that sectional and class differences are trivial. He notes how military arms and tactics may change but the necessary spirit of the good soldier remains the same; so too may laws and constitutions change, but Americans must always possess the qualities of good citizens: honesty, courage, and common sense. He concludes by reminding the crowd that all Americans are part of the government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-09
At the opening session of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen convention, President Roosevelt praises railroad workers as possessing the necessary qualities of soldiers, including obedience, initiative, and the rugged, manly virtues that Roosevelt feels are threatened by modern luxuries. He argues that organized labor is wonderful, but only if it encourages individual improvement while working for the group, and he feels that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen have historically exemplified this virtue. Roosevelt warns that the prosperity of modern progress also gives rise to new challenges. He insists that, just as certain soldierly qualities remain constant despite changes in arms or military tactics, laws and constitutions may change but the need for good citizens of honesty, courage, and common sense will always be necessary. Having just visited the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields, Roosevelt also praises the unified American spirit shared by men and women across the country, including immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-08
At an event in Chickamauga, Georgia, President Roosevelt thanks the young men of Georgia, which he refers to as his mother’s state, for the gift of a commemorative cane engraved with the names of three Confederate generals and three Union generals. Roosevelt highlights how he served at the Battle of Santiago in Cuba under one of them, General Joseph Wheeler, and with Colonel Duncan Norbert Hood, son of another general on the cane, John Bell Hood.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-07
Pamphlet with information on the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba and a membership list.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-01
Assistant Secretary of State Loomis asks William Loeb to let him know if he needs to send the picture and letter for the Sultan to Oyster Bay or send it direct to James W. S. Langerman in care of General Joseph Wheeler.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-07
Donald McDonald Dickinson offers his opinion on the prospects for President Roosevelt’s administration and the attacks being made on him. Although popular sentiment is with Roosevelt, the organization is likely to oppose him in strength at the next election, and the time to begin preparing for that fight is now. The Booker T. Washington incident and his speech at Arlington hurt him. If Roosevelt could make some statement this fall about his desire to find a solution for the negro problem, it might assuage those in the South who were offended. Dickinson also urges that Abram S. Hewitt and others with large investment interests be made advisers to the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-11