Letter from Francis H. Smith to A. H. H. Stuart

Creator:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter endorses William D. Stuart's application for a commission in the United States Army.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Virginia Military Institute
December 3 1850

My dear sir
Having understood that Mr. W. D. Stuart is an applicant for a commission in the U.S. Army I take the liberty of addressing you a private note on his behalf. I do this in preference to the formal course of a recommendation, because you will be better able to appreciate what I may say in the unreserved mode in which I write.

You are aware that Mr. S. entered this Institution as a cadet in July 1847. After completing the whole course of studies, he was graduated in July last with great credit. You will see by the accompanying merit roll that in all his classes he maintained a most respectable standing, while in Geology, Artillery, and Infantry Tactics, he was No. 1. And in Military Engineering 3rd.

In addition to these facts, he was a commissioned officer of the Corps of Cadets and gave great satisfaction to us in the manner in which he discharged his duties.

So high was our estimate of his talents as a scholar and qualifications as an officer, that on a vacancy in our Corps of Instructors occurring in July, he was selected as an assistant Professor of Math. And assistant Instructor of Tactics and has been discharging these duties with great credit up to the present time.

From my personal knowledge of the qualifications of an officer of the Army, I know that there are few young men who enter the Service from West Point who are better qualified than Stuart and I have no doubt he will make as fine an officer as can be selected for the Infantry arm of the Service.

You know his moral qualifications as well as I do. If any doubt had existed on this point, he would never have been appointed an officer in this Institution.

hope it will be the pleasure of the President to confer an appointment upon Mr. Stuart.

This Institution has been laboring now for 11 years in building up its Military reputation and we should like to have an opportunity of comparing our graduates with those from West Point.

With cordial regards to Mrs. S.
I am very truly your friend
Francis H. Smith

Hon. A. H. H. Stuart Washington City

Subjects:

Letters of recommendation
Correspondence

Names:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890

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