John Sharp Williams to Dabney M. Scale
Title
John Sharp Williams to Dabney M. Scale
Creator
Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932
Identifier
WWP21092
Date
1917 April 4
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957
Language
English
Text
--Confidential--
My Dear Friend:-
I have yours of the 31st, together with the Resolutions. You are exactly right. To make Teddy Roosevelt a General would be about as ridiculous a thing as was ever done; he can't handle a regiment in drill much less on the field of battle. We have hundreds of Colonels and Majors, and even Captains, who would be his superiors if put at the head of a brigade of men. If we go to war with a country like Germany and have to use our Army at all, we need men who have made a study of war and know something about it. Although I spent about two years at a military institute, which is perhaps more training than Mr. Roosevelt ever had, I would not undertake to command a company today.
My Dear Friend:-
I have yours of the 31st, together with the Resolutions. You are exactly right. To make Teddy Roosevelt a General would be about as ridiculous a thing as was ever done; he can't handle a regiment in drill much less on the field of battle. We have hundreds of Colonels and Majors, and even Captains, who would be his superiors if put at the head of a brigade of men. If we go to war with a country like Germany and have to use our Army at all, we need men who have made a study of war and know something about it. Although I spent about two years at a military institute, which is perhaps more training than Mr. Roosevelt ever had, I would not undertake to command a company today.
I have not read the Resolutions, but if they recommend that Theodore Roosevelt be appointed to any office higher than that of Lieutenant-Colonel, the people who drew them up made an awful mistake. I mark this letter “Confidential,” because I do not care to have any argument over it.
I am, with every expression of regard,
Very truly, your friend,
John Sharp Williams
Original Format
Letter
To
Dabney M. Scale
Files
Collection
Citation
Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932, “John Sharp Williams to Dabney M. Scale,” 1917 April 4, WWP21092, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.