Woodrow Wilson to Joseph R. Wilson
Title
Woodrow Wilson to Joseph R. Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Identifier
WWP25388
Date
1918 November 2
Description
President Wilson writes to his brother about Colonel Rogan.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson family
Rogan, Charles B.
United States. War Department
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Dear Joe:
Once more the War Department has kindly reviewed the case of Colonel Charles B. Rogan, and I must say from the report Baker now makes me that I cannot think that any real injustice was done. Here is one sentence from the Secretary’s report:
“There is every indication that Colonel Rogan is a man of character, business efficiency, and patriotic zeal. However, as a result of his attendance at the training camp he, with other student officers, was marked on his daily work and on his examinations, and Colonel Rogan failed in seven out of eleven subjects. For instance, in drill regulations he received 3.1 out of a possible 10; in minor tactics, 4.7; in field service regulations, 1.0; army regulations, 3.8. These are merely illustrative figures, as in some branches he attained much higher marks and in his daily recitation marks a more favorable showing is made. The fact is, however, that Colonel Rogan’s rank constitutes the chief embarrassment. If he were young enough (his present age, I think, is forty-four) to be commissioned as a lieutenant, or even a captain, these deficiencies would be relatively less important; but the command of a colonel is a very large and important command, and many officers who attended the same training school with Colonel Rogan and made a better showing in their work were given honorable discharges for lack of suitable military qualifications.”
Doesn’t this seem to you pretty conclusive?
In avoidable haste,
Affectionately yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Mr. Joseph R. Wilson,
United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co.,
Baltimore, Md.
Once more the War Department has kindly reviewed the case of Colonel Charles B. Rogan, and I must say from the report Baker now makes me that I cannot think that any real injustice was done. Here is one sentence from the Secretary’s report:
“There is every indication that Colonel Rogan is a man of character, business efficiency, and patriotic zeal. However, as a result of his attendance at the training camp he, with other student officers, was marked on his daily work and on his examinations, and Colonel Rogan failed in seven out of eleven subjects. For instance, in drill regulations he received 3.1 out of a possible 10; in minor tactics, 4.7; in field service regulations, 1.0; army regulations, 3.8. These are merely illustrative figures, as in some branches he attained much higher marks and in his daily recitation marks a more favorable showing is made. The fact is, however, that Colonel Rogan’s rank constitutes the chief embarrassment. If he were young enough (his present age, I think, is forty-four) to be commissioned as a lieutenant, or even a captain, these deficiencies would be relatively less important; but the command of a colonel is a very large and important command, and many officers who attended the same training school with Colonel Rogan and made a better showing in their work were given honorable discharges for lack of suitable military qualifications.”
Doesn’t this seem to you pretty conclusive?
In avoidable haste,
Affectionately yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Mr. Joseph R. Wilson,
United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co.,
Baltimore, Md.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Joseph Ruggles, Jr., 1867-1927
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Woodrow Wilson to Joseph R. Wilson,” 1918 November 2, WWP25388, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.