MACARTHUR DOUGLAS: (1880-1964) American General who played a prominent role in the Pacific during World War II. An early D.S., Douglas MacArthur, one page, 4to, Headquarters, 3rd Battalion Engineers, San Antonio, Texas, 19th April 1911. The typescript document is in the form of a memorandum issued by MacArthur in his capacity as a Captain and Adjutant to Captain Lukesh, and states, in full, ´After practice marches and at other times when the officers´ shower bath is in demand, officers are requested to undress and dress in their own tents so as to avoid holding the shower an unnecessarily long time´. To the lower half of the page appear the names of fourteen Captains and Lieutenants to whom the document was circulated, each adding their initials in pencil alongside their names, in acceptance of the instructions. Documents signed by MacArthur from this early stage in his career are scarce. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG

MacArthur had been promoted to Captain only two months prior to signing the present document, in February 1911. In April 1911, MacArthur was in San Antonio, Texas, participating in massive military exercises with the newly formed Maneuver Division. This was a pivotal moment in both MacArthur's career and U.S. military history as it represented the first time the U.S. Army attempted to organise and mobilise a full-strength division (roughly 13,000 troops) during peacetime. It was assembled at Fort Sam Houston largely as a show of force and a readiness test in response to the Mexican Revolution unfolding just across the border.