2006

Five-page General's Letter. A.L.S. of Brig. G

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Five-page General's Letter. A.L.S. of Brig. G
Five-page General's Letter. A.L.S. of Brig. Gen. James N. Allison, with strong military content. On letterhead of "The Military Service Institution of the United States," Governors Island, N.Y., Oct. 29, (19)14, 5 pp., 8 x 10 1/2 , to Prof. Albert Bushnell at Harvard. His remarkable career spanning 46 years, and numerous wars, Allison began in the Civil War as a 14-year-old private in the 39th Kentucky Infantry, going on to distinction during Indian War period in the cavalry, in Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Arizona; in Philippines during Spanish-American War. Upset about the author's attack on barrack life, Allison calls him the Army's worst enemy. "...I find the following words: 'In spite of the undesirable side of barrack life which is a severe test of a young man's morals' etc. This is a sentiment common among educators in civil life...I would be glad to be told by you...why...a barrack life as at present known to the young soldier, is a more severe test to a young man's morals than the life of the average student at any educational institution including your own...I have three sons and several nephews who are university men...There is not an educational institution which surrounds the lives of its young men with the precautions and safeguards against moral obliquity and dissipation in all directions than does the U.S. Army...A favorite nephew, a boy of pure morals...tenderly raised by a splendid mother, but becoming spoiled by social life and pampering, was daily driven by me to enlist with the idea of reversing if possible certain elements - dreaminess, indecision, mental and physical indolence, procrastination...After a hard struggle, his mother, who was imbued with your ideas, gave her consent...Today he is a field officer of artillery...You are - no doubt unwittingly and unintentionally our worst enemies. Come to Governors Island...See the clear eyes, clear faces, good complexions and healthy bodies of our rank and file, and you will become their friend." Several passages underlined in pencil, likely by the recipient. Such lengthy, substantive content is unusual in a General's letter. Light edge toning, old marginal tape stain, else fine. With old oversize filing envelope, marked "Important" in purple ink.