annie oakley
Just click on photo to enlarge

Letter to Pres. McKinley

Just before the Spanish American War Annie Oakley wrote to then President William McKinley and offered an unusual service -

Here is the text of the letter from Annie Oakley:

"Hon Wm. McKinley, President

Dear Sir
I for one feel confident that your good judgment 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"

When World War I erupted, Annie once again volunteered her sharpshooters and also offered to teach marksmanship to the troops too. While the sharpshooters were once again declined, it remains unclear whether Annie trained troops, but at the time, she was living in the Maryland area, quite close to military bases...


Click HERE to read Annie's Obituary





(Letter to President McKinley, 5 April 1898. War Department. In Old Military and Civil Records, National Archives Building. Washington, D.C.)