Proposal to Establish
HOMECOMING
AMERICA’S TENTH NMP
Camp Wikoff National Military Park
TRIBUTE
Military & Civilian Volunteers / 1898
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Newsletter # 8 / October 15, 2026 — Prologue updated October 17, 2026 w/ addition of President McKinley’s greeting of Colonel Roosevelt at Montauk Station, Sept 3rd, and editorial excerpt at end of Prologue.
————————–
Opened August 8th — Closed October 9th, 1898
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STATE OF THE UNION, 1898
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Col. Roosevelt’s Decision
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
—– July 24, 1898 —–
“No Governorship for Col. Roosevelt”
“This idea of nominating Roosevelt being taken in a serious way is amusing….The delegates to the state convention have been elected…and, are pledged to the support of Gov. Black…[Republican political boss] Senator Platt is not opposed to the renomination of Governor Black…Now, Roosevelt, in his impetuous way and in his strong self-assertiveness , would not listen to any part suggestion. He would be absolutely master of the situation and would not brook any suggestion….You may be quite sure that Roosevelt will not be named….”
— NYC Republican leader / Brooklyn Daily Eagle / BULLY Page opposite Page One
————
—– July 31, 1898 —–
Letter from Santiago de Cuba
Dear Cabot …. If I could get down to National politics instead of dealing with sewers and police boards in New York, I should greatly prefer it, but I haven’t any real knack of getting on in politics …. and, the favor of the multitude is a matter of ten days. The good people of New York at present seem to be crazy over me; it is not very long since on the whole they felt I compared unfavorably with Caligula….in any event I don’t know how to get on with New York politicians.
Letter to Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts / BULLY, pp 7 to 10
————
—– August 8 > 14? 1898 —–
Gen. Joseph Wheeler’s Opinion
“The people of New York want him for their governor….The people of the United States will want him to govern them for their President.
I told him so on the ship and he laughed a good deal.”
— Commercial Advertiser / BULLY, pp 79 to 81
————
—– August 15, 1898 —–
“Will You Be Our Next Governor?”
“None of that,” replied Col. Roosevelt. “I won’t say a word about myself. All I’ll talk about is the regiment.
It’s the finest regiment that ever was, and I am proud to command it.”
— New York Herald / BULLY, page 63
————
—– August 17, 1898 —–
“Our Teddy For Governor”
Ten thousand Roosevelt buttons … will be placed in circulation tomorrow…They were ordered yesterday by
one of Col. Roosevelt’s closest friends.
— New York Herald / BULLY, page 82
————
—– August 17, 1898 —–
Telegram from Col. Roosevelt
Lemuel Ely Quigg: Can you get out here tomorrow or Friday? Can put you up for the night.
Would particularly like to talk over matters with you.’
— Western Union / BULLY page 85
————
—– August 19, 1898 —–
Platt’s Emissary Visits Roosevelt
What amounted to a formal tender of Senator Platt’s support took place yesterday when Lemuel E. Quigg, Senator Platt’s
personal representative went to Montauk to confer with Roosevelt about the nomination….
At the same time, the statement was made that Republican Governor Frank S. Black had not only decided
to seek renomination, but that his friends would make a fight at the Convention.
— New York Herald / BULLY page 99
————
—– August 21, 1898 —–
Roosevelt Takes 4-day Furlough in Oyster Bay
“…. A man of Roosevelt’s make-up, with his fine chest, straight legs, honest blue eyes, sparkling teeth;
a man with his magnificent virility, with his extraordinary record of achievements due in no sense to others,
may be pardoned if he believes a good deal in himself ….”
— Editorial / ‘Roosevelt’s Home Coming’ — The World / BULLY, page 101
————
“Shall you make any formal declaration of your political intentions?” a reporter asked.
“No,” he replied slowly and thoughtfully. “No, I don’t think I shall. You can understand that
I haven’t had much time for politics ….”
— 4-Day Furlough in Oyster Bay — The World / BULLY pp 104 – 106
————
—– August 27, 1898 —–
Roosevelt, The Logical Candidate
Editorial….The need of an honest, unselfish, firm and independent man at the head of the affairs of this state is now so fully
recognized by the men of both parties that thousands of Democrats have declared that they will vote for Roosevelt should he be nominated…..
— Charles E. Shepard, Editor, The Long Islander, August 27th / BULLY page 141
————
—– August 30, 1898 —–
Roosevelt’s Letter to Lemuel Quigg
Dear Mr. Quigg …. You need have no uneasiness about by being frightened. If he organization wants me to go before
the convention, I will do it, without any regard to whether or not Gov. Black puts up a fight….
Sincerely yours,
— from Montauk / BULLY page 178
————
—– September 1, 1898 —–
Amusing Dog-Day Politics
Editorial — Gov. Black is the creation of machine politics….He has always been not only a defender but a champion of machine methods
in politics…. A fundamental principle of machine methods is the necessity of obedience. The man who is “turned down” by the boss
must accept his fate; to “kick” is to be no better than a Mugwump….
The Roosevelt boom was worth encouraging with a view to killing off Black. It it could in turn be arrested soon enough
to slip in a “compromise candidate” between the two, so much the better….the policy of the machine, therefore,
is to encourage the Roosevelt movement, but, if possible, not to let it get beyond control….
— Evening Post / BULLY, pp 202-203
————
—– September 1, 1898 —–
“The slightest knack…”
My Dear Mr. Secy….My regiment will be mustered out in a few days, and then I shall be foot-loose. Just at the moment
there is a vociferous popular demand to have me nominated for Governor, but I very gravely question whether it
materializes, and I haven’t the slightest knack at making it materialize ….
Very faithfully yours,
Roosevelt Letter to John Hay, Secretary of State / BULLY page 207
————
—– September 3, 1898 —–
MONTAUK’S GREAT DAY
Ed: a few minutes after the arrival of the President McKinley and the Presidential party arrived at Montauk Station, the President and Sec. of War climbed aboard a barouch carriage to begin an inspection of Camp Wikoff….
…. “Why, there’s Col. Roosevelt!” exclaimed President McKinley to Sec. of War Alger … “Colonel! I am glad to see you!”
Then the commander of the Rough Riders executed a remarkable maneuver. He forgot to make a formal dismount, but sort of fell off his horse the way he does at the end of a race across the hills with a squad of his cowpunchers. At the same time, the President did a remarkable thing for a President to do. He stood up in his carriage, pushed open the door; and, jumping out, started toward Roosevelt, who was coming toward him as fast as he could. The President held out his hand, Roosevelt struggled to pull off his right glove. He yanked at it desperately and finally inserted the ends of the fingers in his teeth and gave a mighty tug. Off came the glove and a beatific smile came over the Colonel’s face as he grasped the President’s hand. The crowd which had watched the performance tittered audibly. Nothing more cordial between the President and Colonel Roosevelt could be imagined. The President just grinned all over.
“Col. Roosevelt,” he said. “I’m glad to see you looking so well.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. “There isn’t a healthier man in camp than I am. I am delighted to see you down here, sir, and hope you will enjoy the trip. I do want you to see my boys while you are here.”
“Oh, I will, Colonel, I will,” said the President as he got back into his carriage, and then the whole line started for Gen. Wheeler’s headquarters, led by the cavalry.
— The Sun / BULLY pp 235 – 236
————
—– September 3, 1898 —–
Where Roosevelt’s Strength Lies
Editorial …. Should Roosevelt be nominated and elected, he will go into office without a single political debt or political pledge. “The first requisite of the citizen in public office,” he once wrote, “is that he shall act disinterestedly, and with a sincere purpose to serve the whole commonwealth.” That is the kind of Governor the Republican voters of this State want.”
— Mail And Express / BULLY, pp 223-224
————
—– September 3, 1898 —–
Platt Endorses Roosevelt
“I have decided to favor the nomination of Colonel Roosevelt for Governor. I know that he will be nominated
at the convention to be held in Saratoga, September 27. I believe by acclamation. I am also convinced that he will be elected….”
— Senator Thomas C. Platt, as quoted by a state official — Brooklyn Daily Eagle/ BULLY page 221
————
—– September 3, 1898 —–
Letter from Roosevelt: Eighth Commandment
Dear Leupp …. It is a party position. I should be one of the big party leaders if I should take it. This means that I would have to work with the organization, and I would consult the leaders … continuously, and earnestly try to come to an agreement on all important questions with them … on anything touching the Eighth Commandment, however, and general decency, I could not allow any consideration of Party to come in.
As for taking the honor without conditions or not at all, I do not believe that anybody would so much as suppose to mention conditions to me. Certainly, while a good party man who would honestly strive to keep in with the leaders of the party organization, to work with them, and to bring the Republican party into a better shape…yet in the last resort I should have to be my own master, and when a question of honesty or dishonesty arose, I should have to pay no further heed to party lines.
Now, as I say, I haven’t an idea about the nomination…but I can say, with all sincerity, that I don’t care in the least.
Letter to journalist Francis Ellington Leupp.
— BULLY pp 224 – 225
————
—– September 4, 1898 —–
“If I Am Nominated…”
Dear Cabot: …. As for myself, old man, I do not think that even you could do anything for me here. If the popular feeling is strong enough, and steady enough, I shall be nominated and elected. If it is merely temporary, then I shall be neither; and I don’t believe any effort of mine would alter the result one way or the other …. If I am nominated, well and good; I shall try to be elected, and if elected, I shall try to rise to the extremely difficult position in which I shall find myself. If I am not nominated, I shall take the result with extreme philosophy and with a certain sense of relief, and shall turn my attention to the literary work which is awaiting me ….-
Faithfully yours,
Letter to Henry Cabot Lodge / BULLY pp 253 – 254
————
—– September 6, 1898 —–
Governor Black Seeks Vindication
Something of a shock has been administered to the Roosevelt rooters by the news which came from Albany
this morning concerning the conference of Gov. Black’s friends held yesterday. The Governor has put on war paint and
is certainly in the fray to stay….
There are a good many ‘fast Black’ men upstate who admire him as a statesman of the highest order….
The Governor thinks…he ought to seek vindication from the people ….
— Standard Union / BULLY page 274
————
—– September 7, 1898 —–
Political Gossip
Richard Croker, the Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall, New York, has been interviewed ….
“I see the Republicans are going to nominate Roosevelt for Governor,” said Mr. Croker. “Well, all I have
to say is that we can beat him easily….The Republicans won’t support him….”
— Washington Post / BULLY pp 283 – 284
————
—– September 8, 1898 —–
Roosevelt And The Governorship
Editorial — The Colonel is a happily constituted man. Nature has endowed him with an appreciation of his own merits so fervent that it is
only with extreme difficulty he can refrain from joining in the shout whenever three cheers are given for Roosevelt. No one can
so magnify his performance in war or peace as to offend his sense of modesty….Egotism of this Brobdingnagian and all-engrossing
sort is funny, of course …. Without it, Colonel Roosevelt would have gone through life making no more noise than countless other men
fully his equal in brains ….
….Everybody knows that Theodore Roosevelt is not fit for the office to which he aspires. They remember his official career
as a Police Commissioner in this city — how headstrong, impracticable, quarrelsome and inefficient he was; how sore an affliction
to the metropolis that he would have governed like a village of which he was the hereditary Squire. They know that he is full
of crotchets and prejudices, and fond of riding rough-shod over the rights and susceptibilities of his fellow citizens….
The very narrowness and hardness of mind and the impetuosity of temper which make him a good soldier make
him a bad official in a Republic.
— William Randolph Hearst, New York Evening Journal / BULLY, pp 293 – 294
————
—– September 10, 1898 —–
Platt and Roosevelt
Editorial — If Platt accepts Roosevelt, he will be coerced by the irony of fate — by that silent, invisible moral force of public sentiment
which, however decried, will sometimes compel political bosses and dictators to make the best of it and bow to it.
And, if Platt is thus coerced, it will probably lead to his destruction. For if Roosevelt should be elected — which we doubt —
it is not conceivable that he would be controlled by Platt ….
— Joseph Pulitzer, The World / BULLY page 309
————
—– September 10, 1898 —–
Roosevelt Will Run
…. Now that the war is over and his regiment will be mustered out in a few days, Colonel Roosevelt has authorized
the following statement:
“That he has always been a Republican in the broadest sense of the word; that he has not been seeking the Republican
nomination for governor, but should it come to him he would gladly accept it as an honor and a duty, recognizing,
as he does, the dignity and honor of the position ….”
— Colonel Jerome
—– Brooklyn Daily Eagle / BULLY pp 315 – 315
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
—– Looking Ahead —–
————
September 24, 1898
Black Hurls Bombshell: Roosevelt Not Eligible For Governor?
— New York Herald / BULLY pp 395 – 396
————
September 24, 1898
Black Will Be The Nominee
— New York Press / BULLY pages 397 – 398
————
September 25, 1898
Roosevelt Held Ineligible
— New York Press / BULLY pp 400 – 401
————
September 25, 1898
Talk Is Rubbish, Roosevelt Says
— Chicago Tribune / BULLY page 401
————
September 26, 1898
Roosevelt Bitterly Assailed
— New York Herald / BULLY page 402
————
September 26, 1898
It is a Democratic Year
— Editorial, William Randolph Hearst / New York Evening Journal / BULLY page 405
————
Saratoga, September 27, 1898
Black Surprises His Enemies
— New York Herald / BULLY pages 406 – 407
————
September 27, 1898
An Illustrious New York Name
— Editorial, The Sun / BULLY pp 408 – 410
————
September 27, 1898
Not Really A New Yorker
— Editorial, William Randolph Hearst,
New York Evening Journal / BULLY page 410
————
Saratoga, September 28, 1898
How Roosevelt Swept The Field
— New York Herald, Commercial Advertiser
Elihu Root’s Defends Roosevelt’s NYS Residency
BULLY pp 411 – 419
————
October 1, 1898
Our Standard Bearer
Editorial — The bravery of the man who marched at the head of his Rough Riders at Las Guasimas and at San Juan has won for him the devotion of such men as the rough cowboys of western Kansas and Montana and the other brave men composing the regiment, who know how to value a true hero. As he charged on the blue block house at San Juan at the head of his men high on horseback, wearing on his slouch hat a blue polka-dot handkerchief which, as he advanced, floated out straight behind his head like a guidon, and regardless of the storm of bullets that poured into his ranks, Roosevelt became one of the central figures in American history ….
Charles E. Shepherd, Editor
Long Islander / BULLY page 419
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
War Hero to NYS Governor-Elect, 1898
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chicago Tribune Masthead, 1898.
==========================================
National Military Park Proposal
Newsletter # 7
October 15, 2026
The intent of this newsletter is to inform the general public about Camp Wikoff, the great military encampment established in Montauk, New York, 1898, for the rest & recuperation of Gen. William Shafter’s Fifth Army Corps in preparation for the fall campaign against Havana, Cuba, in the Spanish-American War.
The objective of this effort is to establish Camp Wikoff National Military Park as an enduring tribute to the civilian & military volunteers of 1898.
As America’s tenth national military park, Camp Wikoff would mark the historic transition from mainland wars to wars fought overseas on foreign soil.
————
Fort Pond Bay is the main component of the proposed Camp Wikoff National Military Park.
As the Homeport of America’s first veterans of a war fought overseas,
Fort Pond Bay represents all homeports and points of return of America’s veterans of foreign wars.
————
Comments & suggestions welcome.
Jeff Heatley, Editor
With appreciation for Brian Tadler’s review & advice.
Note: to receive Newsletter updates, please send request to jeff@aaqeastend.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to the following organizations for their letters of support:
————
Buckey O’Neill Camp No. 175 – AZ / Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans
————
Lester F. Quinn Memorial Association
————
Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans / National Organization
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: This proposal, in modified form, received the support of Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan, Dean of the United States Military Academy at West Point / March 4th, 2008:
Camp Wikoff played an important role in the American war with Spain in 1898. In many ways the Camp reflected the spirit of the times, especially with regard to volunteerism and the Progressive impulse of the late – 19th and early 20th centuries. Through its gates passed thousands of heroic Americans — military and civilian, famous and ordinary — whose commitment and sacrifice brought victory in the war. For these reasons and the many others you outlined in the proposal, we support your cause and encourage you to continue pursuing the project.
Best wishes for success in establishing Camp Wikoff as a national military park.
Patrick Finnegan
Brigadier General, US Army
Dean of the Academic Board
United States Military Academy / West Point
Note that Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Rough Rider Lieut-Col. Brodie, Lieut. John Joseph Pershing, who was also an Instructor at West Point, were West Point graduates, among others who served in the Spanish American War.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Medora, North Dakota
Overlay NMP Park Proposal
Given the development of Montauk as a resort community since 1898, an overlay park is proposed. Town, County & State Parks whose land was part of the 4,000-acre Camp, would add Monuments, Signage, Markers & Dedicated Benches. Proposal also includes a Camp Wikoff Memorial Walkway between Montauk Station and Fort Pond Bay (Long Island Railroad right of way). In addition, reconstruction of the Iron Pier on Fort Pond Bay also proposed, but not critical to the overall proposal.
Note that Fort Pond Bay is the main component of this proposal and that events have been scheduled off season, with Railroad transportation to and from Montauk Station recommended.
————————————-
Annual Events
MONTH OF APRIL: Navy Vessel anchors in Fort Pond Bay, offering tours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL
— Camp Wikoff Lectures: Quarantine; US Fifth Army Corps; Col. Roosevelt, Rough Riders; Gen. Joseph Wheeler & daughter, Red Cross Nurse, Laurie; American Red Cross; Civilian Volunteers ….
— Vernal Half-Marathon, Fort Pond Bay to Montauk Point to Fort Pond Bay, with Montauk Seafood Chowder served on the Beach at Fort Pond Bay to those who finish.
— Ocean Beach Walk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MONTH OF MAY
Month of May: Spanish-American War Lectures at Colleges, Universities & Historic Societies & Libraries: Spanish-American War; Foreign Policy; President William McKinley; Cuba — Then & Now; Generation 98 in Spain; Tropical Fevers, Army Beef Scandal of 1898; National Military Parks; Sagamore Hill; United States Cavalry; Weapons & Warfare ….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIRD WEEKEND IN OCTOBER
Re-Enactments of President McKinley’s Address to the Troops, Col. Roosevelt’s Bully Pulpit & Farewell Addresses
Re-Enactors: Pres. McKinley, Col. Roosevelt, Gen. William Shafter, Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Lieut. Black Jack Pershing, American Red Cross Nurse Laurie Wheeler, Nurse Ellen Walworth of the Women’s National War Relief Association, Philanthropist Helen Gould, American Red Cross Agent Howard Townsend, Signal Corpsman Ambrose Higgins
Army Band, Popular & Military Tunes
Exhibit of Newspaper Illustrations & Archival Photographs
Demonstrations: Wigwagging, Telegraphy, and Bugle Calls
Platform Wall-Tent Camping w/ Bonfire
Wagon Rides & Hikes to Montauk Point Lighthouse
Guided Bike & Hike Tour of Historic Camp Wikoff
Horseshoes Tournament
Autumnal Half-Marathon from Fort Pond Bay to Montauk Point & back,
with Roosevelt Beef Stew served on the Beach at Fort Pond Bay to those who finish the race.
Seasonal
Platform Tent Camping at Third House, with select Veterans Only Weekends
Self-Guided Bike, Hike, Ocean Swim, Horseback Riding Tours of Historic Camp Wikoff
Camp Wikoff Plaque, installed 1998 on boulder in front of Third House / Theodore Roosevelt County Park, Montauk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIRD SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER
HOMECOMING TRIBUTE
————
MILITARY & CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS
Beach at Fort Pond Bay
Address: Lessons of Camp Wikoff
Reading of the 340+ names of those who died at Camp Wikoff, and of the 60+ names of those who died on board the transports from Santiago de Cuba and were buried at sea.
Recognition of the Organizations that provided supplies to the troops at Camp Wikoff, including the American Red Cross, Sisters of Charity, Women’s National War Relief Association, East Hampton Relief Corps, NYC Merchants Association, among others.
Soloist Sings: John Howard Payne’s HOME! SWEET HOME!
The most popular song on board the transports returning HOME.
Roosevelt Beef Stew Served.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Proposed Monuments / Markers
Monument to President William McKinley, Village Green
Monument to Gen. Joseph Wheeler & Daughter Red Cross Nurse Laurie Wheeler, Ditch Plains
Monument to Buffalo Soldiers & Lieut. Black Jack Pershing, Shadmoor State Park
Monument to American Red Cross / Sisters of Charity, Montauk Downs State Park
Monument to 340 Soldiers Who Died at Camp Wikoff, Fort Hill Cemetery
Monument to Col. Roosevelt & Rough Riders, Third House County Park
Monument to 60 Soldiers Who Died at Sea, Montauk Point State Park
=================================
National Military Parks
Shiloh — Established December 27, 1894 / 9,324 acres
Gettysburg — Established February 11, 1895 / 6,032 acres
Chickamauga & Chattanooga — Established August 19, 1890 / 9,523 acres
Kennesaw Mountain — Established February 18, 1917 / 2,914 acres
Guilford Courthouse — Established March 2, 1917 / 254 acres
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania — Established February 14, 1927 / 8,4o5 acres
Kings Mountain — Established August 10, 1933 / 3,945 acres
Manassas — Established November 14, 1936 / 5,073 acres
Pea Ridge — Established July 20, 1956 / 4,300 acres
=================================
Echoing thru NYC City Streets
EXTRA! EXTRA!
QUARANTINE IN MONTAUK
YELLOW FEVER! MALARIA! TYPHOID!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
——————–
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BULLY! a Newspaper Chronicle / 1898 | Second Edition, 2023
Edited & Composed by Jeff Heatley
Published by the Montauk Historical Society & East End Press,
with a Grant from the Gardiner Foundation.
Amazon BULLY …. link
————————————————–
REMEMBER
Visit AAQ Portfolios
Spanish-American War / Camp Wikoff, 1898 Timeline …. link
Camp Wikoff NMP Proposal: Newsletter # 7 / September 15, 2026 …. link
Camp Wikoff NMP Proposal: Newsletter # 6 / August 15, 2026 …. link
Camp Wikoff NMP Proposal: Newsletter # 5 / July 15, 2026 …. link
TR Presidential Library / News 8.28.25: TeddyCon | Talks, Exhibits | Badlands Gateway Trails …. link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additional CW Portfolios can be viewed on
Art & Architecture Quarterly / East End: www.aaqeastend.com
___________________________________________________________