![ROOSEVELT, Theodore. Typed letter signed ("T. Roosevelt") as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, to Commander M.F. Tobin, Washington, D.C., 12 April 1898. 1 page, 4to, Navy Department stationery, evidence of mounting on verso, small loss to upper left-hand corner. [With:] Lithographic memorial roster of those killed in the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, 15 February 1915. New York: Haring & Geyer, 1898. 1 page, 4to, lower corners trimmed. Depicts a weeping woman in prayer beneath a billowing American flag, with a view of the battleship in the background.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/NYR/2006_NYR_01636_0166_000(120835).jpg?w=1)
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ROOSEVELT, Theodore. Typed letter signed ("T. Roosevelt") as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, to Commander M.F. Tobin, Washington, D.C., 12 April 1898. 1 page, 4to, Navy Department stationery, evidence of mounting on verso, small loss to upper left-hand corner. [With:] Lithographic memorial roster of those killed in the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, 15 February 1915. New York: Haring & Geyer, 1898. 1 page, 4to, lower corners trimmed. Depicts a weeping woman in prayer beneath a billowing American flag, with a view of the battleship in the background.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY REMEMBERS THE "Maine"
Assistant Secretary of the Navy forwards a roster of the casualties in the sinking of the battleship Maine. "I take pleasure in handing you herewith a list of the officers and men who were lost in the MAINE disaster." The U.S.S. Maine had been anchored in Havana harbor for some time, ostensibly to help insure the safety of Americans and American commercial interests in Cuba, which was in the throes of a violent revolution against Spanish colonial rule. On the evening of 15 February 1898, a powerful explosion below decks ripped through the vessel's armored hull. She sank within 15 minutes, carrying with her 260 of her 350 crewmen. The dramatic news of the sinking galvanized the American yellow press which had long agitated for Cuba's annexation.
Roosevelt, himself a strong advocate of war against Spain, was convinced that Spanish agents had planted a mine to destroy the battleship. He took drastic steps to ready the Navy for war with Spain, but, finding his administrative duties too sedate for him, resigned from the Navy and volunteered for military service. McKinley declared war on Spain on 24 April, 12 days after this letter. The former naval secretary was given the rank of Colonel and named to command the First Volunteer Cavalry, an unorthodox unit popularly known as "the Rough Riders." In December 1898 the Rough Riders won fame in their daring charge on Spanish entrenchments atop Kettle Hill, near Santiago, led by the former Secretary of the Navy himself. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in that action.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY REMEMBERS THE "Maine"
Assistant Secretary of the Navy forwards a roster of the casualties in the sinking of the battleship Maine. "I take pleasure in handing you herewith a list of the officers and men who were lost in the MAINE disaster." The U.S.S. Maine had been anchored in Havana harbor for some time, ostensibly to help insure the safety of Americans and American commercial interests in Cuba, which was in the throes of a violent revolution against Spanish colonial rule. On the evening of 15 February 1898, a powerful explosion below decks ripped through the vessel's armored hull. She sank within 15 minutes, carrying with her 260 of her 350 crewmen. The dramatic news of the sinking galvanized the American yellow press which had long agitated for Cuba's annexation.
Roosevelt, himself a strong advocate of war against Spain, was convinced that Spanish agents had planted a mine to destroy the battleship. He took drastic steps to ready the Navy for war with Spain, but, finding his administrative duties too sedate for him, resigned from the Navy and volunteered for military service. McKinley declared war on Spain on 24 April, 12 days after this letter. The former naval secretary was given the rank of Colonel and named to command the First Volunteer Cavalry, an unorthodox unit popularly known as "the Rough Riders." In December 1898 the Rough Riders won fame in their daring charge on Spanish entrenchments atop Kettle Hill, near Santiago, led by the former Secretary of the Navy himself. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in that action.