Letter from Annie Oakley to President McKinley
4/5/1898
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After the USS Maine was sunk in 1898, tensions ran high between Spain and the United States in their fight over Cuba. For months President William McKinley struggled to decide if war was the best option. On April 25, Congress officially declared war on Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War.
Three weeks before the declaration of war, Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey) wrote to President McKinley. Oakley volunteered to organize a regiment of "fifty lady sharpshooters," who would supply their own ammunition and arms, should the nation go to war.
Her request was denied because women were not allowed to serve. The blue notation "War" and the underlining in the letter indicates that it was passed on from the White House to the War Department to decline her offer.
From 1882 to 1913, sharpshooter Annie Oakley was a famous attraction in many traveling shows around the United States and a renowned international star. She even entertained Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II—she shot a cigarette out of the Kaiser’s mouth.
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[letterhead]
[top left corner: circle with image of horse]
[top right corner: circle with image of Annie Oakley shooting while riding a bicycle]
A SUCCESS IN ALL COUNTRIES
ANNIE OAKLEY
America's Representative Lady Shot
[handwritten in blue] War
[handwritten] Read 4/5/98
[center image: Annie Oakley inside a sun-like shape with nations written around the outside] America, England, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, Russia, Belgium
[to left of image] For eleven years next to BUFFALO BILL the attraction with the Wild West. The wonder and talk of the American Exhibitions London '87, Paris Exhibition, '89, Horticultural Exhibition London '92, World's Fair, Chicago, '93
[to right of image] Miss Oakley, has appeared before all the Royalty and Nobility of Europe, including their R. H. the Prince and Princess of Wales before whom she has given fine exhibitions.
[start handwritten text]
Nutley NJ Apr 5th
Hon Wm McKinley President
Dear Sir I for one feel confident that your good judgement will carry America safely through without war.
But in case of such an event I am ready to place a company of fifty lady sharpshooters at your disposal. Every one of them will be an American and as they will furnish their own arms and ammunition will be little if any expense to the government.
Very truly
Annie Oakley [signature]
33849 A.G.O.
2441
Nutley, N.J.
April 5, 1898
Oakley, Annie
[stamped] Tender of Service
[stamped] Received A.G.O. APR 12 1898This primary source comes from the Records of the Adjutant General's Office.
National Archives Identifier:
300369Full Citation: Letter to President William McKinley from Annie Oakley in Which She Offers the Services of a Company of Fifty Lady American Sharpshooters; 4/5/1898; Letters Received, 1805 - 1889; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 94; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/oakley-mckinley, April 18, 2024]