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As advised by Secretary of War Root, William S. Cowles requests that Benjamin F. Montgomery give President Roosevelt’s sons two tent pins retrieved from the Santiago Battlefield where Roosevelt and Leonard Wood pitched their tent during the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-18
Secretary of War Root reviews the resume and military record of General Leonard Wood. He explains the considerations which have led to Wood’s nomination as major general.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-18
Arthur B. Farquhar conveys support for Leonard Wood’s promotion to Major General and admonishes the testimonies of Estes G. Rathbone and James E. Runcie against Wood. Farquhar comments on the status of the Cuban Reciprocity Treaty and President Roosevelt’s policy in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-20
Ray Stannard Baker discusses the publication of James Edward Runcie’s article in the North American Review. Baker describes his involvement with the article’s publication and defends General Leonard Wood against claims made by General John Rutter Brooke and by Runcie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-22
Acting Adjutant-General of the Philippines William Augustus Simpson reports on events following an attack led by Filipino leader Panglima Hassan on the American fort in Jolo, Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-23
Richard Harding Davis proposes writing an article in support of Leonard Wood to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-12
Victor L. Mason informs R. A. Alger of his recent meeting with the editor of the North American Review, George B. Harvey. Harvey reports that Leonard Wood was not involved in the writing of James E. Runcie’s article. Included in this letter is a note written by Alger to President Roosevelt. Alger includes enclosures for Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-16
Editor of the Emporia Gazette William Allen White conveys support for General Leonard Wood’s promotion to Major General, mentioning a letter, documents, and military records prior to the Spanish-American war received from Wood. White warns against the appointment of Charles Blood Smith as Federal Judge for the District of Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-05
Governor Taft reviews recent events in the Philippines, including negotiations over the acquisition of the friars’ lands, difficulties with merchants, the construction of an electric trolley railway, and a survey for a new Manila water supply. General Wood has taken hold of Moro Province with “vim and vigor.” Robert Taft has returned to the United States for preparatory school, and Helen Herron Taft is not ill but needs “building up of her nerves.” Taft has been horseback riding for exercise and hopes to continue this activity when he returns to Washington, D.C. He would like an exception made so his horse can accompany him back to the states.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-22
Justice McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is surprised by the rumors that he has been “antagonizing the Commissioners,” so he explains to President Roosevelt his interactions with Governor William H. Taft and General James Francis Smith. McDonough discusses the conflict between the Catholic friars and the government and expresses regret that the friars wish only to deal with Taft and not Smith, the latter of whom has been described harshly by Filipino Catholics. For his own part, McDonough has been reticent to denounce the friars because he sees their potential to preach peace, lawfulness, and loyalty to the United States and because he upholds freedom of religion in the Philippines. He also sees the sale of the friars’ lands as “purely a church question.” These privately expressed opinions aside, McDonough assures Roosevelt that he has been careful with his words and has not opposed Taft, Smith, or Vice Governor Wright in any way. He also quells a rumor that he has sought a seat of his own on the commission, expressing his desire merely to “serve this court with credit” before returning to Albany. He closes with a postscript requesting financial and transportation assistance for him and his family to return home when his term in the Philippines is over.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-14
James Rudolph Garfield, Commissioner of Corporations in the Department of Commerce and Labor, acknowledges receipt of copies of letters from President Roosevelt. He approves of Roosevelt’s methods of dealing with the Senate, and feels the public does not understand the complicated relationship between the two. In a postscript Garfield writes that he received General Leonard Wood’s letter about the articles, and there is no need to answer such attacks. If the Senate asks for the records the truth will come to light.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-15
John Goadby Gregory writes to Postmaster General Payne regarding a newspaper article by William E. Cramer on the advancement of General Leonard Wood. Gregory suggests that President Roosevelt read it, and he congratulates Payne on his work in the Post Office Department, on behalf of the people of Wisconsin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
The writer criticizes President Roosevelt and Elihu Root for not officially praising General Nelson Appleton Miles upon his retirement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08
Newspaper article defending President Roosevelt’s promotion of General Wood to major general. Wood was promoted over many other officers but has proven himself to be an “extraordinary officer.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-26
Anna Roosevelt Cowles conveys information about Cabinet appointments given to her by Mr. Reid who believes that President Roosevelt should minimize his intimacy with Leonard Wood. Reid also thinks Roosevelt’s letter on lynching was a “masterpiece.” The Mintos also send messages to Roosevelt. Cowles enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild and asks Roosevelt if he has read it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17
John A. Sleicher writes to President Roosevelt regarding unfair accusations made against Roosevelt regarding the case of General Miles and the promotion of General Wood.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-12
Allan Campbell Bakewell writes to Colonel Mills to inquire whether or not the enclosed resolutions should go before the “National Encampment” of the Grand Army of the Republic. It is a hit against Major General Wood.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-04
Allan Campbell Bakewell has read the draft of resolutions and he offers suggestions on them and the impact the resolutions will have on the Grand Army of the Republic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
General Scott informs Henry Prather Fletcher of their arrival in Manila and discusses the political climate in the Philippines. General Leonard Wood has been appointed Civil Governor of the Province of Mindinao, and William H. Taft and George W. Davis believe that conflict in Solo cannot be avoided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-29
Colonel Barry thanks President Roosevelt for his upcoming promotion to brigadier general. Barry is pleased that he has Roosevelt’s confidence and plans to prove he merits it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-19