The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-10-04
THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S
RECORD AS A SOLDIER



to hold that position. He displayed
the greatest exposure to severe fire
while adjusting and strengthening the
line, placing the men in positions
which afforded best protection, etc,
etc. His conduct and example steadied
the men and on one occasion by severe
but necessary measures prevented a
small detachment from stampeding to
the rear. He displayed the most con-
spicuous gallantry, courage and cool
ness in performing extraordinary haz-
ardous duty.
(Signed.) Robert l.. Howe,
Captain A. A. G.. U. S. V. (First Lieu
tenant Sixth United States Cavalry.
To the Adjutant General, U. S. A.,
Washington, d. G.
ROOSEVELT AT KETTLE HILL.
Headquarters, U. s. Military Academy,
West Point, N. Y, April 5th, 1899.
Lieutenant Colonel w. II. Carter,
Assistant Adjutant General, U. S.
Army Washington, d. c. Sir: In COM
pliance with the request, contained in
your letter Of the 30th ultimo, of the
board convened to consider the award
ing of brevets, medals of honor, etc,
for the Santiago campaign, that state
any facts within my knowledge as Adj
jutant General of the Brigade in which
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt served, to
aid the board in determining, in con-
nection with Colonel Roosevelt's appli-
cation for medal of honor, whether
his conduct at Santiago was such as
to distinguish him above others, ]
have the honor to submit the follow
ing:
My duties on July LIST, 1898, brought
me In constant observation of and con-
tact with Colonel Roosevelt from early
morning until shortly before the eli
max of the assault Of the Cavalry d.
vision on San Juan Hill-the so-called
Kettle Hill. During this time, while
under the enemy's artillery fire at Ell
Paso and while on the march from Ell
Paso by the San Juan ford to the point
from which his regiment mooved to the
assault-about two miles, the greater
part under fire-Colonel Roosevelt was
conspicuous above any others / OBJ
served in his regiment in the Jealous
performance of duty, in total disregard
Of his personal danger and in his Gag
erness to meet the enemy At Ell Paso,
when the enemy opened ON that place
with artillery fire, shrapnel bullet
grazed and bruised one of Colonel
Roosevelts wrists. The incident did
not lessen his hazardous exposure, but
he continued so exposed until he had
placed his command under cover. In
moving to the assault of San Juan
Hill, Colonel Roosevelt was most con-
spicuously brave, gallant and indif-
ferent to his own safety. He, in the
open, led his regiment: no officer could
have set more striking example to
his men or displayed greater intrepid
ity. Very respectfully, Your obedient
servant, A. L. Mills.
Colonel U. s. Army, Superintendent.
AT SAN JAUN HILL.
Headquarters Department of Santiago
de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba Decem-
Der, 80, 1893.
To the Adutant General U. s. Aarmy,
Washington, D. C.-Sir: I had the
honor to make the following statement
relative to the conduct of Colonel The
odore Roosevelt, late First U, S. Vol
unteer Cavalry during the assault up
on San Jaun Hill. July LIST, 1898.
/ have already recommend this off,
Ger for medal of honor, which, I un-
derstand has ben denied him, upon the
ground that my previous letter was too
indefinite. / based my recommends
tfons upon the fact that Colonel Roose-
welt, accompanied only by four or FIVE
men, led very desperate and extreme
ly gallant charge on San Juan Hill,
thereby setting splendid example to
the troops and encouraging them to
pass over the open country intervening
between their position and the trenches
Of the enemy. In leading this charge,
he started off first, as he supposed.
with quite a following of men, but
son discovered that he was alone. He
then returned and gathered up a few
men and led them to the charge as
above stated. The charge itself was
an extremely gallant one and the ex-
ample set most inspiring one to the
troops in that part of the line, and
while 1t Is perfectly true, that every
body finally went up the hill in good
style, yet there is no doubt that the
magnificent example set by Colonel
Roosevelt had very encouraging eff
feet and had great weight in bringing
up the troops behind him. During the
assault, Colonel Roosevelt was the
first to reach the trenches in his part
of the line and killed one Of the enc
my with his own hand.
/ earnestly recommend that the
medal be conferred upon Colonel
Roosevelt for believe that he in ev-
cry way deserves it, and that his SER
vices on the day in question were of
great value and of a most distinguish
ed character. Very respectfully,
Leonard Wood,
Major General u. S. ". Commanding
Department of Santiago de Cuba.
Huntsville, Ala, Jan. 4th, 1899 The
Adjutant General, U. S. Army. Wash
ington, d. C.--Sir: I have the honor
to recommend that Congressional