In the letter I extolled the merits of the Rough Riders and of the Regulars, announcing with much complacency that each of our regiments was worth "three of the National Guard regiments, armed with their archaic black powder rifles."[*] Secretary Alger believed, mistakenly, that I had made public the round robin, and was naturally irritated, and I suddenly received from him a published telegram, not alluding to the round robin incident, but quoting my reference to the comparative merits of the cavalry regiments and the National Guard regiments and rebuking me for it.

The publication of the extract from my letter was not calculated to help me secure the votes of the National Guard if I ever became a candidate for office.

However, I did not mind the matter much, for I had at the time no idea of being a candidate for anything--while in the campaign I ate and drank and thought and dreamed regiment and nothing but regiment, until I got the brigade, and then I devoted all my thoughts to handling the brigade.
Anyhow, there was nothing I could do about the matter.
[*] I quote this sentence from memory; it is substantially correct.
When our transport reached Montauk Point, an army officer came aboard and before doing anything else handed me a sealed letter from the Secretary of War which ran as follows:-- WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, August 10, 1898.
DEAR COL.

ROOSEVELT: You have been a most gallant officer and in the battle before Santiago showed superb soldierly qualities.

I would rather add to, than detract from, the honors you have so fairly won, and I wish you all good things.
In a moment of aggravation under great stress of feeling, first because I thought you spoke in a disparaging manner of the volunteers (probably without intent, but because of your great enthusiasm for your own men) and second that I believed your published letter would embarrass the Department I sent you a telegram which with an extract from a private letter of yours I gave to the press.