I think there is no doubt the unholy war our enemies are waging against us will last for many years and that the next generation will have plenty of work without precipitating themselves unprepared into the present. Immature youths are new incumbrances to the Service, filling the Hospitals, or excused from the more arduous duties of a Soldier in consequence of physical inability. My object in writing is respectfully to suggest that you will do excellent service to the Army by diverting the enthusiasm of the students from the performance of physical service for which they are unable to preparing themselves for the duties of Commanding for though we are a very great people — all Captains — it is lamentable that there are among us very few Commanders: [unrecovered]; and we are yet too young a nation to throw aside as worthless what the experience of all time has considered indispensable, if therefore you will pardon the liberty will it not be advisable for you to establish a Military Attachment to the University. it would be an easy matter for you to procure a competant officer to take charge. probably the Government could give you one in an emergency like the present.

If you think this suggestion of any value and feel disposed to act on it, let me impress on you, that if the Instruction be not perfectly competant it will do more harm than good.

Be pleased my brave Sir to accept my acknowledgments for your uniform kindness to my Son. I had great difficulty in dissuading him from entering the Army, though he has returned to you and promises to apply himself