BRIG. GENERAL WALTER COWEN SHORT - AUTOGRAPH LETTER DOUBLE SIGNED 03/25/1930 - HFSID 264291

WALTER COWEN SHORT
Walter Short sends an autograph letter of thanks for the information about the horse
Autograph Letter Double Signed: "W.C. Short", 3p, 7x10½. Fort Bliss, Texas, 1930 March 25. On letterhead of Headquarters, First Cavalry Division to "My dear Mr. Carter". In full: "I don't know when I have received a letter that I appreciated as much as the one you wrote me about the horse and I am forwarding it to the Chief of Cavalry to show him what kind of a friend we have in Honolulu. You are certainly a friend in need as well as a friend indeed. Now I suggest that you write a letter to the Chief of Staff of the Army General Chas P. Sumerall War Department Washington D.C. offering the horse to the government as a present from you, for training for the Olympic games. You can tell him that I brought it to your attention that horses were needed for that purpose and that you want to help. He will appreciate it very much as he should. Now as to the individual. If you have a very high class grade which is over five years old and has a good deal of blood and courage and is of the hunter type, I believe that it would serve the purpose better than a three year old thoroughbred unless the thoroughbred was a very exceptionally powerful type, because the training is very severe and a three year old is liable to break under strenuous training. However I have great faith in your judgement (sic) in the matter and you are to do as you see fit. You are mighty good to think of me about the colt, but there were no strings to it, when I gave you the mare. I think you are doing enough when you give the Government one of your best for the Olympics. I don't believe in riding a willing horse to death. Please inform the Commanding General Hawaiian Department when the horse for the Government is ready for delivery. With very best wishes and many thanks. Cordially. Handwritten postscript, initialed "W.C.S.": "P.S. When you come to the States and go East, come this way and see the biggest mounted command in the Army. I would dearly love to have you visit me." Walter Cowen Short (1870-1952) held various cavalry commands in the Spanish American War and World War I, including a posting at Fort Bliss, Texas in which he commanded the 1st Cavalry division from 1930-1932.  He was commander of Fort Bliss in 1933, retiring in 1934. While in Belgium he served as manager of the U.S. Equestrian team for the 1920 Summer Olympics as well as the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Lightly soiled. Paper clip impression and staple holes at upper left. Otherwise, fine condition.