generalfrederickdentgrant

Photographed on Governors Island in New York harbor, May 25, 1911. Henry L. Stimson had been appointed Secretary of War in the administration of President Taft just a few weeks earlier. General Frederick Dent Grant (son of President Grant) was commanding officer on Governors Island, where he lived with his family. This occiasion was the annual lawn party sponsored by the Army Relief Society, which raised money to succor widows and orphans of officers and enlisted men of the Regular Army. The Lawn Party:

I love this shot! The ones where people don't know they're being photographed are the best. Seeing people acting natural reminds you that people have always been the same.

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called skint...getting by creatively and gracefully, and we'd love to have this added to the group! I need that gaint flag cover for my portable garage!

May 25, 1911. Two more photographs from this occasion, the annual lawn party of the Army Relief Society (which raised funds for the care of widows and orphans of officers and enlisted men of the Regular Army): www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2163471986/in/p... www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2163471766/in/p...

The elaborate 'costume' the horse is wearing is actually a knotted string 'fly sheet', designed to wick off sweat and keep the flies off the horse. Also note that the boots are inserted backwards in the stirrups, which in most cases indicates the death of the rider. Since Gen. F. D. Grant (son of Ullyses S.) died on April 12, 1912, this photo would have been taken a few days later at his funeral most likely.

I agree with XSPimages comments. This appears to be a caparisoned horse used during funeral processions to honor the deceased. The boots would be from Gen. Grant himself. The tradition can still be requested today for military personnel (colonel or above) who served in the Army or Marine Corp, or served as President of the USA. A caparisoned horse was used during Ronald Reagan's funeral. The horse bore the boots worn by Ronald Reagan and was escorted riderless down the procession in honor of the deceased president. More information: www.arlingtoncemetery.net/caparisoned.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riderless_horse Too bad this image is fogged. This is a good looking animal.