TOTHEADJUTANT-GENERAL，UNITEDSTATESARMY，Washington，D。C。
SIR：IhavethehonortomakethefollowingstatementrelativetotheconductofColonelTheodoreRoosevelt，lateFirstUnitedStatesVolunteerCavalry，duringtheassaultuponSanJuanHill，July1，1898。
Ihavealreadyrecommendedthisofficerforamedalofhonor，whichIunderstandhasbeendeniedhim，uponthegroundthatmypreviousletterwastooindefinite。IbasedmyrecommendationuponthefactthatColonelRoosevelt，accompaniedonlybyfourorfivemen，ledaverydesperateandextremelygallantchargeonSanJuanHill，therebysettingasplendidexampletothetroopsandencouragingthemtopassovertheopencountryinterveningbetweentheirpositionandthetrenchesoftheenemy。Inleadingthischarge，hestartedofffirst，ashesupposed，withquiteafollowingofmen，butsoondiscoveredthathewasalone。Hethenreturnedandgatheredupafewmenandledthemtothecharge，asabovestated。Thechargeinitselfwasanextremelygallantone，andtheexamplesetamostinspiringonetothetroopsinthatpartoftheline，andwhileitisperfectlytruethateverybodyfinallywentupthehillingoodstyle，yetthereisnodoubtthatthemagnificentexamplesetbyColonelRoosevelthadaveryencouragingeffectandhadgreatweightinbringingupthetroopsbehindhim。Duringtheassault，ColonelRooseveltwasthefirsttoreachthetrenchesinhispartofthelineandkilledoneoftheenemywithhisownhand。
IearnestlyrecommendthatthemedalbeconferreduponColonelRoosevelt，forIbelievethatheineverywaydeservesit，andthathisservicesonthedayinquestionwereofgreatvalueandofamostdistinguishedcharacter。
Veryrespectfully，LEONARDWOOD，Major-General，UnitedStatesVolunteers。