GENERAL JOHN J. "BLACK JACK" PERSHING - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/05/1904 - HFSID 265671

JOHN J. PERSHING. TLS: "John J. Pershing", 2p, 5½x7, front and verso. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory, 1904 July 5. On letterhead of "Headquarters/Southwestern Division." to Lieutenant George T. Bowman, 15th Cavalry, Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. Begins: "My Dear Bowman". In part: "I have delayed writing to you for a long while, but it has been for the reason that I have been on duty away from Oklahoma and part of the time was on leave, on account of the illness of my sister...I have rather neglected this little namesake of mine, but you will receive in a few days a slight memento of my gratification at the honor that has been paid me in giving him my name. With regards to the entire Bowman family and all the Fifteenth, I remain, Most sincerely, your friend". BOWMAN had served in the 15th Cavalry in the Philippines shortly after it was formed in 1901. The 15th later served in Cuba (1906-1909), along the Mexican border in the hunt for Pancho Villa (1916) and in World War I (1917-1919). JOHN JOSEPH PERSHING (1860-1948) was named Brigadier General in 1906, the year he returned to the Philippines. "Blackjack" Pershing is best known, however, for commanding the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. After the war, he was promoted to permanent General of the Armies of the United States and served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1921-1924. Pershing received the 1932 Pulitzer Prize in History for My Experiences in the World War. Lightly creased, mid-horizontal fold, not at signature. Slightly soiled at upper left blank margin of first page. Fine condition.