William T. Sherman to George Mason Graham, July 16, 1860

LOUISIANA STATE SEMINARY of Learning and Military Academy,

Alexandria, July 16, 1860.

DEAR SIR: . . . I have had some correspondence with Cadet L——'s father, and have assured him that I would lay before the Board his letter, asking that his son be allowed to resign, instead of being reported “Dismissed” or “Deserted.” I explained to him the difficulty as other cadets were similarly placed and the rule must apply to all. It was by threatening Cadet L—— that I obtained the constitution of the marauders, but he knew full well that he was in no danger of dismissal for the bucket affair. I suppose you have already been troubled too much about it. Still I enclose along with his letter the notes made by Mr. Boyd of the long conversation that preceded L——'s going away. Of course I shall oppose no resolution for clemency, only the truth should be made "manifest."

I also enclose you a letter received last evening from Colonel Bragg. I guess to secure that battery¹ we must get an act of Congress. I have General Grivot's² promise but they forget promises sometimes and I will again write to him. Governor Moore said to me that he was satisfied we needed the muskets, and a resolution of the Board now will be too late, as after the resolution passes I will have no time to follow it up, for unless I can get the official requisition I should not ask Colonel Craig³ to transfer to Baton Rouge the cadet muskets.

Cadet muskets you know are scarce and I doubt if they are to be found except at Springfield, Mass. Now we will need one hundred and fifty in December or January next year, and that is the reason why I thought it best to go to Washington, to get Colonel Craig to transfer them south in advance.

Bragg tells me that the rumor that I oppose religious observances here has found its way to his place. I am not surprised when Mr D——⁴ himself takes upon himself to advise gentlemen on steamboats not to send their children here, if they value religion. He told me himself he had done so. Now I have strictly adhered to the rule we laid down, and have never denied a cadet the privilege and facility of going to Alexandria every Sunday, although I know some of them habitually abuse it. But I will not argue the case with you, for I know that this is one of the difficulties we have to contend with in the future, and any rule the Board will lay down I will execute honestly and fearlessly. I write to Bragg more fully on the subject to-day. Of course all the professors have been told that under the old and new regulations they must ask of the Board of Supervisors leave of absence. . .

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¹ Bragg's Buena Vista battery. – Ed.

² Adjutant-general of Louisiana. - Ed.

³ Of the Ordinance Bureau, War Department. – Ed.

⁴ An Episcopal clergyman who was disappointed because Doctor Vallas, also an Episcopal clergyman, was not allowed by the supervisors to preach regularly in assisting D. at Alexandria and Pineville. – Ed.

SOURCE: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 243-4