Details
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE, President. Autograph letter signed in full to a Mr. Wolcott, n.p., 7 March l9l7. One page, 8vo, with original envelope (no postal markings) .
"Dear Mr. Wolcott, This is to introduce Mr. [Rock] Channing, who would be a Lt. Col. in my division; and Mr. Dolge, who may go into the Quartermaster General's branch of the division. Sincerely yours Theodore Roosevelt"
Since the outbreak of World War I, Roosevelt had lobbied for a strong national defense and urged, in private and in print, that America join Britain and France as an ally. (In l9l6 he published a book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, whose title suggests his strong disagreement with President Wilson's policies of strict neutrality.) When war was declared, he succeeded in obtaining a Congressional authorization to raise a volunteer division for service in Europe, but Wilson refused to make use of the force.
"Dear Mr. Wolcott, This is to introduce Mr. [Rock] Channing, who would be a Lt. Col. in my division; and Mr. Dolge, who may go into the Quartermaster General's branch of the division. Sincerely yours Theodore Roosevelt"
Since the outbreak of World War I, Roosevelt had lobbied for a strong national defense and urged, in private and in print, that America join Britain and France as an ally. (In l9l6 he published a book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, whose title suggests his strong disagreement with President Wilson's policies of strict neutrality.) When war was declared, he succeeded in obtaining a Congressional authorization to raise a volunteer division for service in Europe, but Wilson refused to make use of the force.