ON AN afternoon in 1911 at Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt
and Henry L. Stoddard, his friend and supporter, idly dis-
cussed the subject of titles. Stoddard ventured to say that
Roosevelt probably preferred to be addressed as "Colonel."

"Yes," answered Roosevelt, "there's a lot in that title for me. I like it.
But if I were asked what title I would prefer it would not be President
or Colonel; it would be Major General in the United States Army in
active service. Remember I say active service -- no swivel chair for me.
Active service, however, is not likely to come in my day, so I suppose
'Colonel' I'll remain to the end. That's good enough. ¹

It had been so since Roosevelt, as a child, turned his back on the
gentle life of a naturalist and started to build for himself a strong body.
War had always been romantic to him. He always wanted to take part:

1886 I have written to Secretary Endicott offering to try to raise some
companies of horse riflemen . . . in the event of trouble with Mexico. ²

1886 [Regarding Haymarket Riots]: My men . . . are Americans
through and through. I wish I had them with me and a fair show at
ten times our number of rioters; my men shoot well and fear very little. ³

1896 [Regarding Altgeld in 1896]: Remember, sir, I may at any time
be called upon to meet the man sword to sword upon the field of battle.
When war does come I shall be found at the head of my regiment. ⁴

1898: We will have a jim-dandy regiment if we go. ⁵

1908: If a war should occur while I am still physically fit, I should cer-
tainly try to raise a brigade . . . of cavalry, mounted riflemen, such as
those in my regiment ten years ago. ⁶

1911: . . . if by any remote chance . . . there should be a serious war
. . . then I would wish immediately to . . . raise a division of cavalry.

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