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                                         Savannah
                                         Decr 9th 1873

My dear John

         Your letter of the 1st came

in due time. I have not been prompt to reply only because uncertain what to say.

         If the army were what it

was fifteen years ago when the officers and their families formed an excellent society, I should recommend your get- ting Ben a commission - if he desires it. It seems to me probable, however, that a great many men of the lower class entered it during the war. And that in selections for it since, the standard is much lower than formerly. It may be a question, too, whether the situation of a southern man might not be a little

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unpleasant. It was admitted in former times that the West Point character was given by the southern boys - And that of the officers as a body of gen- tlemen, by those of the south. Hence my suspicions.

        The military appointments were never 

regarded as political. I obtained two [from?] [Cameron?] after telling him, in reply to a question, that if Virginia seceded I should do so too. So I should there could be no objection of that kind. Nor fear of its subjecting you to any disagreeable al- legations.

        Now observe, that the objections sug-

gested above are based upon no knowl- edge. I have not seen the officers of the army, of late years.

        I think the above shows pretty

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conclusively, that I have not gotten of the condition of [Mind?] [as?] in my first paragraph.

        But is not it certain that Ben won't study law? I

think that your Uncle Charles, while a student was as far as Ben from being studious. Yet no one was more assidu- ous than he became on entering the profession.

        Those who enter the army as officers,are [?]

in the lowest grade - that of 2d Lieutenant.

        My uncertainty in this matter is from ignorance

of the characters as a class, of the officers of the army. With some suspicions that it is not all that is desirable.

                           Affectionately Yours

Hon: John W. Johnston J. E. Johnston

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