VH Holmes to Whom It May Concern
Title
VH Holmes to Whom It May Concern
Creator
Holmes, V. H.
Identifier
WWP25355
Date
1918 October 10
Description
Character recommendation for Colonel Rogan.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
United States. Army
Contributor
Anna Phillips
Relation
WWP25357
WWP25356
WWP25354
WWP25353
WWP25352
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
To Whom it May Concern:
I first became acquainted with Charles B. Rogan (then Captain) in the summer of 1904, at a National Guard encampment at Jackson, Tenn. I was then Captain of a National Guard Company, and he was attached to the National Guard of Tennessee as Inspector-Instructor. I met him again at the annual encampments in 1905-6 and 7. In 1907 my connection with the National Guard ceased temporarily; but in the fall of 1908, when the Night-Rider troubles arose in the region of Reelfoot Lake, in West Tennessee, I accompanied the National Guard troops which were sent to Reelfoot Lake, in a legal advisory capacity. Colonel Tatum, who was in command of the troops sent to the disturbed area, was physically unfit to exercise command; and the command of the troops actually devolved upon Captain Rogan. I had every opporutnity to know what his duties were, and whether or not they were well performed. A little later, when it was decided to reduce the force, I went to Union City, Tenn., and in conference with the Governor and the Assistant Adjutant General, it was left to me to decide what officers should remain on duty. I had no hesitancy in selecting Captain Rogan as the Commanding Officer of the troops that were to be left on duty. His performance of his duties during that critical period in the State’s history was such as to win for him the esteem and admiration of every person who had an opportunity to know his worth.
I knew him as The Adjutant General of Tennessee, and I believe that I risk no contradiction when I state that he made the best Adjutant General the State has ever had. I was closely associated with him in the trying times of reorganizing a badly depleted National Guard, for service on the Mexican Border. I know what work was necessary to be done and I know whether it was well done or not. I know of no other man who could have accomplished what he did in so brief a period.
When war had been declared against Germany, and it was decided to reorganize the 2d Tennessee Infantry, which had been disbanded several years before, I could have been Colonel of that Regiment. It pleased me better to command a battalion, with Colonel Rogan at the head of the Regiment. I have never been in an organization where the same spirit of team-work and “pull together” existed. I believe I have never seen an organization where the same progress was made and degree of efficiency attained in such a short time. In that connection, I might call attention to the fact that in just two weeks after rifles had been issued to the 2d Tennessee, for the first time, two companies of that regiment were awarded first and second prize in a parade held in the City of Greenville, S. C. I believe it was generally conceded throughout Camp Sevier that the 2d Tennessee Infantry had the cleanest and neatest camp of an organization in the Camp. Certain it is that there never was a Commanding Officer who enjoyed the hearty admiration and respect of his officers and men to a greater extent than did Colonel Rogan.
I have been with him in times of danger, and he was always cool and courageous. I have known him as a friend, long and intimately, and have always found him true, generous and loyal. I have known him as an official of the State and as a soldier in command of his regiment, and as such I have always found him capable, effecient and competent.
V. H. Holmes
(Former) Major, 2d Infantry.
Chancellor, 9th Chancery Div.,
of Tennessee.
I first became acquainted with Charles B. Rogan (then Captain) in the summer of 1904, at a National Guard encampment at Jackson, Tenn. I was then Captain of a National Guard Company, and he was attached to the National Guard of Tennessee as Inspector-Instructor. I met him again at the annual encampments in 1905-6 and 7. In 1907 my connection with the National Guard ceased temporarily; but in the fall of 1908, when the Night-Rider troubles arose in the region of Reelfoot Lake, in West Tennessee, I accompanied the National Guard troops which were sent to Reelfoot Lake, in a legal advisory capacity. Colonel Tatum, who was in command of the troops sent to the disturbed area, was physically unfit to exercise command; and the command of the troops actually devolved upon Captain Rogan. I had every opporutnity to know what his duties were, and whether or not they were well performed. A little later, when it was decided to reduce the force, I went to Union City, Tenn., and in conference with the Governor and the Assistant Adjutant General, it was left to me to decide what officers should remain on duty. I had no hesitancy in selecting Captain Rogan as the Commanding Officer of the troops that were to be left on duty. His performance of his duties during that critical period in the State’s history was such as to win for him the esteem and admiration of every person who had an opportunity to know his worth.
I knew him as The Adjutant General of Tennessee, and I believe that I risk no contradiction when I state that he made the best Adjutant General the State has ever had. I was closely associated with him in the trying times of reorganizing a badly depleted National Guard, for service on the Mexican Border. I know what work was necessary to be done and I know whether it was well done or not. I know of no other man who could have accomplished what he did in so brief a period.
When war had been declared against Germany, and it was decided to reorganize the 2d Tennessee Infantry, which had been disbanded several years before, I could have been Colonel of that Regiment. It pleased me better to command a battalion, with Colonel Rogan at the head of the Regiment. I have never been in an organization where the same spirit of team-work and “pull together” existed. I believe I have never seen an organization where the same progress was made and degree of efficiency attained in such a short time. In that connection, I might call attention to the fact that in just two weeks after rifles had been issued to the 2d Tennessee, for the first time, two companies of that regiment were awarded first and second prize in a parade held in the City of Greenville, S. C. I believe it was generally conceded throughout Camp Sevier that the 2d Tennessee Infantry had the cleanest and neatest camp of an organization in the Camp. Certain it is that there never was a Commanding Officer who enjoyed the hearty admiration and respect of his officers and men to a greater extent than did Colonel Rogan.
I have been with him in times of danger, and he was always cool and courageous. I have known him as a friend, long and intimately, and have always found him true, generous and loyal. I have known him as an official of the State and as a soldier in command of his regiment, and as such I have always found him capable, effecient and competent.
V. H. Holmes
(Former) Major, 2d Infantry.
Chancellor, 9th Chancery Div.,
of Tennessee.
Original Format
Letter
To
To Whom It May Concern
Files
Collection
Citation
Holmes, V. H., “VH Holmes to Whom It May Concern,” 1918 October 10, WWP25355, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.