John M. Schofield, Forty-six years in the Army

[440] Advise me of your decision as early as you can—certainly this week. You will be subject to no supervision except by the usual board of visitors and the general commanding the army.

W. T. Sherman, General.

(Telegram.)

San Francisco, Cal., March 29, 1876.
General Sherman, Washington, D. C.:

I appreciate the importance of the superintendency of the academy, and the compliment paid me by the President, Secretary of War, and yourself in desiring me to accept it. Under the circumstances I cannot decline. . . .

J. M. Schofield, Major-General.

(Telegram.)

Headquarters of the army, Washington, D. C., March 30, 1876.
General J. M. Schofield, San Francisco, California:

Despatch received, and am much pleased; think you can add new luster to the old academy. It has always needed a head with rank and experience, and now I am sure that the whole country will be satisfied. . . . I am not yet resolved on my own course of action, but will be governed by events to occur in this week.

W. T. Sherman, General.

headquarters Mil. Div. Of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal., March 30, 1876.
General Sherman, etc., Washington, D. C.

my dear General: I was not taken entirely by surprise by your despatch relative to the West Point superintendency. General Grant mentioned the subject to me soon after the war, and army officers since that time have spoken of it often enough to keep me in mind of the fact that I might some time be called upon to assume that responsibility. Yet it is with a strong feeling of reluctance that I have brought myself to regard