LT. GENERAL LEONARD WOOD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/24/1920 - HFSID 297332

LEONARD WOOD
His reply to a former Rough Rider, referring him to a Senator "in charge of the situation in the South." General Wood, who has added a handwritten sentiment, was a leading contender for the Republican Presidential nomination when he wrote this letter.
Typed Letter signed: "Good luck & kindest regards/Leonard Wood", 1 page, 8½x11. Chicago, Illinois, 1920 March 24. Marked "Personal" to John C. Barnard, Camden, South Carolina. In full: "I was very glad to get your letter of March seventeenth and appreciate very much your desire to do what you can. I suggest that you get in touch with Senator Moses in Washington who is in charge of the situation in the South. I am always glad to hear from former members of the Rough Riders. Sincerely yours". During the Spanish-American War, Leonard Wood (1860-1927) was Colonel of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Roosevelt's Rough Riders), leading it in the Cuban operations at Las Guasimas and San Juan Hill in June 1898. He served as Military Governor of Cuba from 1898-1902. Promoted to Brigadier General in February 1901 and Major General in August 1903, Wood was transferred to the Philippines, where he served as Governor of Moro Province, 1903-1906. He commanded the Philippines Division from 1906-1908. Less than three months after he signed this letter, at the Republican National Convention held from June 8-12, 1920, General Wood led all nominees on the first ballot with 287½ votes. On the tenth and final ballot, he had 156, second to Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding, who had 692 votes and the nomination. George H. Moses, a Republican Senator from New Hampshire, was one of the managers of Wood's Presidential campaign before and during the convention. Mr. Barnard had probably written Wood to express support for his former commander. Multiple mailing folds. Toned. Otherwise, fine condition.