Roswell Randall Hoes Collection

Materials relating to the Spanish-American War

The Roswell Randall Hoes Collection relating to the Spanish-American War and its results in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, was gathered by Chaplain Roswell Randall Hoes, United States Navy. His untiring efforts in this direction commenced at the very beginning of the war. Such prompt recognition of a bibliographic opportunity resulted in bringing together possibly the most nearly complete collection of books and pamphlets relating to a subject now anywhere existing. This collection not only covers the military operations, diplomatic negotiations, and administrative activities of the governments involved, but also the native customs, institutions, and political movements. The collection is rich in official publications, but it includes a large proportion of unofficial publications of positive historic value as source material, especially insular imprints of great rarity. It numbers some 43,866 pieces -- 1,405 volumes, 3,459 pamphlets, 1,416 number of periodicals, 37,215 leaflets (army orders, acts, etc.), 208 manuscripts (including 4 ms. volumes), 128 prints, 33 maps, and 2 pieces of music.

Since its arrival in 1911, the collection has been dispersed and cataloged throughout the Library's custodial divisions. Materials may be found under author, title, or subject in the general collections by using the online catalog or in the specialized reading rooms such as:

· Geography & Maps Reading Room
· Manuscript Reading Room
· Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room
· Performing Arts Reading Room
· Prints & Photographs Reading Room

Additional reference information may also be found in the Hispanic Reading Room.

U.S. Library of Congress. Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress, 1912, p. 27.