Seminary, Friday, Dec. 2 [1859].
Dear General: I
was in town [Alexandria] yesterday at 8 a.m. and waited till ten to prove the
paper which we left with Mr. Boyce. I then got the first page and corrected it.
He had not prepared the paper and would have to strike off the whole number of
sheets of the first matter before trying the second page. I therefore assured
myself that it was in proper order, and left Boyce to correct the second page
and came out with Captain Jarreau.
I think we have made fair progress now, and I have given Mr.
James1 written instructions with drawings of what remains to
be done, and by my return from New Orleans I hope to see all the necessary
tables, benches, desks, blackboards, stands, shelves, and hooks all done. I
have one man cutting wood, and Jarreau promises another next Tuesday, so that I
feel confident that we shall be more than ready by Christmas.
I think also that in New Orleans I will be satisfied to
depend on Alexandria for blankets of which both Robertson and Henarie have a
good supply at fair prices from $3.25 to $4.50 a pair. Same of brooms, glass
tumblers, assorted hand soap and castile soap. I think also we may depend on
the Trechur for wash-basins and dippers. All else on my list I will try and
bring up. I feel a little embarrassed by Mr. Ford's offer to make twenty-five
or thirty mattresses without naming price. It would be better to have
mattresses made uniformly by one responsible person, but as in case of accident
to Mr. Ford and there being no other mattresses to be had in Alexandria I may
purchase more than otherwise might seem prudent.
In New Orleans, I will ascertain the price of everything
needed by us in future, and then if persons in our neighborhood apply we can
encourage the manufacture of about the quantity needed at standard prices. . .
I generally have strong opinions on a subject of importance,
but experience has taught me the wisdom of forbearance, and as the Board will
again attempt to meet on the tenth during my absence, I will only say now that
I listened to your argument and that of the other members with great interest.
I have always believed that a Military Academy was only
possible, when the state made present compensation, or held out future
inducements, to compensate the cadet for the usual drills, guards, and
restraints customary in such colleges, here and abroad. I doubt whether we
could when cadets pay all expenses enforce that rigid obedience without which
the system would become ridiculous. I am satisfied that we can make certain
drills, guards, and military parades and exercise so manifestly advantageous to
the cadets, that their own sense, judgment, and fancy will take the place of
compulsion, and the course of studies being more practical, and useful, will be
preferred by cadet and parent to the old routine of grammar and everlasting
lexicon.
As to the encampment, I think in the regulations there is no
mention made of an encampment, nor do I recall any expression that would lead
to it. Therefore they will need no amendment on that point. The Board can pass
over the point in silence. If you are not fortified in the legislature it might
also be wise to allow a few years to slide along till we have four classes of
well drilled cadets. Let them at first have the vacation allowed in Kentucky,
elsewhere, and at all literary colleges. If our system of instruction be good,
and if we take good pains to impress the cadets with our kindness, justness,
fairness, and give them a manly bearing, good ideas of truth, honor, and
courtesy, and withall teach them practical wisdom, by going home they will
spread the good seed, and actually serve the cause of the institution in its
infancy, better than they could in the mere routine duties of a camp. I do not
think an encampment necessary to our course of instruction, nor does it seem to
me prudent to prevent cadets from going home; if such be the custom, and if
their parents desire it. I don't think Captain Jarreau2 will object
as his contract runs for only six months, and longer if we are all satisfied.
My idea is to make all things conspire to the economy, cleanliness, good order,
and proper instruction of those cadets, till we naturally pass into the system
which is to last, for some system “must endure.”
Should the legislature of this state determine to put an
arsenal here, the necessity of a guard is then patent and she would naturally
offer to pay us, and make it to our interest to guard her property, afford a
safe place for arms, rendezvous, and safety for this at present remote district
of valuable country. We would then have a good necessity, a good reason for an
encampment, which now would be a mere naked ceremony. Nevertheless my theory is
that the Board must legislate, and I will try to execute their resolves and
policy. . .
_______________
1 The contractor. — Ed.
2 The Seminary steward. — Ed.
SOURCES: The article is abstracted in Walter L.
Fleming’s, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 70-2
No comments:
Post a Comment