Description:

Roosevelt Theodore 1858 - 1919 Theodore Roosevelt TLS to a Rough Rider comrade from Santiago, only a few months after the Battle of San Juan Hill
Typed letter signed, 7.75" x 10.5", signed by Theodore Roosevelt as "T. Roosevelt", and dated "Nov. 9, 1898". Matted in faux suede with a gilt fillet to a size of 12" x 14.75". Tacked to a backing with two pieces of tape along top edge. Older repairs to small fold separations with tape. Expected folds


A lovely TLS signed by Theodore Roosevelt from Oster Bay, L.I. with references to his period in Santiago and his period as a Rough Rider. His letter in full as:

"Major Frank J. Ives

Fort Hamilton, N.Y.

My Dear Major Ives:-

Indeed, I remember you very well, and it is peculiarly pleasant to me to have the good wishes of a comrade from Santiago.

With best regards, I am/ Very Sincerely yours,

T Roosevelt"

The term "Roosevelt's Rough Riders." was familiar in 1898, from Buffalo Bill who called his famous western show "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World." The Rough Riders were mostly made of college athletes, cowboys, ranchers, miners, and other outdoorsmen. A common trait shared by many members of the regiment was a shared origin. With these men being from southwestern ranch country, they were quite skilled in horsemanship. As a group they played a key role in the outcome of the Spanish-American War by assisting the American forces in forming a constricting ring around the city of Santiago de Cuba. In Roosevelts letter written from Long Island he references his strong memory of his "comrade from Santiago", the siege which heralded in the turning point for the war when the Spanish forces surrendered to General Shafter and the United States military, culminating with the Spanish Government surrendering to the United States and agreeing to an armistice that relinquished their control of Cuba.

The letter was written from Long Island, a relevant location was on August 14, the Rough Riders landed at Montauk Point on Long Island, New York. There, they met up with the other four companies that had been left behind in Tampa. Colonel Roosevelt, as ever the diplomate and true leader, made note of how very many of the men who were left behind felt guilty for not serving in Cuba with the others. However, he also stated that "those who stayed had done their duty precisely as did those who went, for the question of glory was not to be considered in comparison to the faithful performance of whatever was ordered"

A great letter signed by Roosevelt with an association from an important moment in history.

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