Lancaster, O., Aug. 20,1859.
Dear Sir: I
wrote you a few days ago, in part answer to your very kind note addressed me at
Lancaster. I am now in possession of your more full letter sent by way of
Leavenworth, and shall receive to-day the printed reports to which you
referred.
These will in great measure answer the manifold questions
propounded by me. When in full possession of these I will again write you, and
when I know you are at Washington, I may come there to meet you, and to make
those preliminary arrangements as to furnishing the building, selecting text
books, etc., all of which will no doubt have to be approved by the Board of
Education in Louisiana.
I can easily secure from West Point the most complete
information on all the details of the management and economy of that
institution. Then, being in possession of similar data from the Virginia
Institution, we can easily lay a simple foundation, on which to erect, as time
progresses, a practical system of physical and mental education, adapted to the
circumstances of Louisiana. I shall not take my family south this winter, and
shall hold myself prepared to meet you at Alexandria, or elsewhere, at the
earliest date you think best. I feel deeply moved by your friendly interest in
me, and both socially and in the new field hereby opened to me I will endeavor
to reciprocate your personal interest and justify your choice of a
superintendent.
I have seen a good deal of the practical world, and have
acquired considerable knowledge, but it may be desultory, and may require some
time to reduce it to system, and therefore I feel inclined to see the Board of
Education1 select a good series of practical books as textbooks.
If this has already been done, I will be the better pleased;
if this devolve on the professors it will require some judgment to adjust them,
lest each professor should attempt too much, and give preference to textbooks
not intimately connected with the other classes. The adjustment of the course
of studies, the selection of the kind and distribution of physical, muscular
education, and how far instruction in infantry, sword and even artillery
practice shall be introduced are all important points, but fortunately we have
a wide field of choice, and the benefit of the experience of others. As soon as
I learn you are in Washington, and as soon as I know all that has been done, I
will give my thoughts and action to provide in advance the knowledge out of
which the Board of Education may choose the remainder.
_______________
1 Board of Supervisors of the Seminary. — ED.
SOURCE: Walter L. Flemming, Editor, General W.T.
Sherman as College President, p. 33-4
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