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Title:	LETTER -  LETTER FROM THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Maker/Manufacturer:	ROOSEVELT, THEODORE
Date of Manufacture:	1905
Eminent Figure:	ROOSEVELT, THEODORE
Catalog Number:	SPAR 8244
Measurements:

Object Description:

LETTER FROM THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Letter written by T. Roosevelt relative to bayonets dated 1/4/05. The was once Army property, #5118. It was transferred by the Army to the National Park Service on 18 September 1986.

Received from Ordnance Office on 22 August 1932.

Army tag placed in catalog folder. Tag reads: "MUSEUM EXHIBIT #5118. Letter written by President Theodore Roosevelt relative to bayonets dated Jan 4, 1905.
Letter received from Ordnance Office on Aug. 22, 1932.
See correspondence file S.A. 474/7/31. 8-17-32."

Notes: "O.O. 474.7/128 S.A. 474.7/31 - 2nd Ind. - JWJ/lew - Springfield Armory, Mass., August 24, 1932. To: Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C. .....6. The autographed letter from the late President Theodore Roosevelt, January 4, 1905, is a historical record which is highly valued. It is being taken up as Exhibit #5118 and will be duly safeguarded." - Signed J.W. JOYES, Colonel, Ordnance Department.

"WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON. January 4, 1905
The Secretary of War:
I must say that I think that ramrod bayonet about as poor an invention as I ever saw. As you observed, it broke short off as soon as hit with even moderate violence. It would have no moral effect and mighty little physical effect. I think the suggestion of a short triangular bayonet a great improvement. After you have gone over this subject of the bayonet and the sword, do take it up with me.
I wish our officers could carry rifles. If they carry any sword they ought to carry a sword that they can cut or thrust with. Personally I do not see any point in having the cavalry armed with a bayonet, even though the modern cavalryman is nine times out of ten on foot. He might have a sword in his belt, only it ought to be a sword that can do damage.
I am particularly anxious that we should have a thorough test made of the long and the short rifle (that is of the 24-inch and 30-inch rifle) at some place like that in Utah where several companies of men can be employed at firing both weapons at long range. This ramrod bayonet business does not make me feel we can afford to trust to much to theory of the closet variety. I would like to have the opinion of Captain March, and then the opinion of the other military attaches who saw the fighting between the Russians and Japanese, about both the bayonet and the sword. I would also like to have the opinion of any of our officers in the Philippines who have seen the bayonet actually used.
s/Theodore Roosevelt

See correspondence file, S.A.4747/31 8-17/32. Placed in Museum by Col Joyes 8/25/32.