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Noteworthy collection of four letters from Theodore Roosevelt sent to his cousin, fellow Rough Rider Granville Roland Fortescue, and his uncle, U.S. Congressman Robert Roosevelt, between 1898 and 1906. The lot contains a TLS as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, signed “T. Roosevelt,” an LS and two TLSs from his tenure as American president, each signed “Theodore Roosevelt,” and a selection of Fortescue’s personal medals, a group highlighted by his rare Rough Riders “Distinguished Service” medal.
Fortescue, the illegitimate son of Congressman Roosevelt, delayed his education at the University of Pennsylvania when, in 1898, he volunteered to join the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, a regiment more famously known as the Rough Riders. Fortescue’s decision to volunteer is reflected in Roosevelt’s earliest letter, approximately one month before the Rough Riders started on their journey to Cuba. The letter, one page, 8 x 10.5, personal Navy Department letterhead, April 28, 1898, in full: “It isn't in my power to give you a commission, but I think I can manage to get you in as a trooper in one of my companies. I think there will be twenty Yale, Harvard and Princeton men in it. The men will elect their own officers. If you prove to deserve it, you would end with a commission, I have no question.” Roosevelt adds a couple of lines in his own hand: “What do you know of horsemanship? & of use of the rifle?”
The second letter, an LS as president, one page, 7.25 x 9, White House letterhead, April 11, 1902, sent to “Uncle Rob,” in full: “I was greatly grieved and shocked by your telegram. I have just received your letter. It is a simple physical impossibility to get on to the funeral, owing to the mass of public work that has accumulated during my absence at the Exposition. Pray believe how deeply I feel with you in your great sorrow. Believe me, with warmest sympathy, your affectionate nephew.” This letter evidently refers to the death of Roosevelt’s aunt, Marion O'Shea Roosevelt, who passed in 1902.
The third, a TLS as president, one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, August 6, 1903, sent to his cousin: “I have written to the War Department about that and will let you know at once as soon as I hear. It was a great pleasure to see you. We had a dark ride back. Yesterday I was unwise enough to take Bleistein out bareback for an hour and a half. As he is a big, powerful hunter with corresponding gates, and as I rode him on the trot, canter and gallop, I succeeded in skinning the insides of my legs and am uncomfortable in consequence. I found no difficulty at all in sitting him. With love to Uncle Rob.” Roosevelt adds a handwritten postscript: “Good for you! I am much pleased with what I read of your stopping that runaway.” Includes its original mailing envelope.
Fourth, a quick TLS as president, one page, 7 x 8.75, White House letterhead, sent to “Roly,” in full: “If you have to fight in regions where I may have to take an interest, be dead sure you get on the right side! Good luck to you.” Includes its original mailing envelope.
The archive also includes Fortescue’s personal passport booklet from 1936, which is signed a total of three times and contains Fortescue’s passport photograph; a group of three 1898 stereoview cards with images related to early military operations for the Spanish–American War, and a small collection of 10 medals and badges presented to Fortescue during his career, which is highlighted by a Rough Riders “Distinguished Service” medal that was distributed personally by Roosevelt upon the regiment’s mustering out of service at Camp Wikoff, Long Island, on September 15, 1898. The medal bears a raised “RR” on the front and the reverse engraved: “Distinguished Service / Gallantry in continuing to fight after being wounded / T. Roosevelt.”
Other medals include a “Roosevelt Reception” medal from June 18, 1980; an “1898 Society of the Army of Santiago” cross badge; a gold-tone “World War” medallion with reverse marked “For Service, 1917-1919, Presented by State of New York,” and more. In overall very good to fine condition, with scattered staining to the early letter.
