Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-13

GENERAL JOHN CROpPER.
danger Of invasion OF our territory
by such power. 1t is 10 be presumed
mat in such an event. every good
citizen would hold himself In readi-
ness 10 take the field, IL necessary.
whether belonging 10 the eventual
army or nor. !. therefore. hattcr
myself that when the Presidents at
;ention Of appointing the officers for
This army snail be fully known we
shall find many OF the valuable Of
fictrs who served with reputation in
the Revolutionary War as well as
others. step forward and offer their
services IN grades which they would
not accept II their object was to pur-
sue military career for life or to
continue in the service beyond the
c%ischcy which might cal them forth.
This icdds m" 70 hope that, instead
of s>eking TOR those who are willing
20 receive appointments. We shall nnd
the best spirits OF our country offer
ing their services in these grades
where their talents and Influence can
be useful withou, feeling themselves
''H'd ~ 'AA' 90 VI
rank which officers observe where
arms are assumed az a profession
'nut in order TO place the matter
upon certain ground and TO pursue
il "!th system. 1t becomes necessary
10 make thr selection befor. mention
cd ana AZ the propricty O: drawing
The officers from different parts OF
the state. observing as nearly as may
ie. IA due proportion TO the respective
populations obvious. must OF course
obtain my information from various
sources md coniine the results In
the best manner | can.
Invaluable 10 Warrington.
Il therefore. sir. take the liberty
10 ask If you vii! be so good as TO
furnish me the names OF such charac-
,cra as are. in your opinion, qualified
10 III the several Offices in one reg!
ment Of infantry. 4 battalion or part
thereof. and who will be willing To
receive these appointments. annexinS
TO their names the respective grades
and the places or counties OF their
residence.
To facilitate this selection and TO
obscrv. :he proportion before mem
toned. have thought IL best to fol-
low the four grade divisions OF the
states. as laid of by the inspector
general for the purposes OF recruit
Ing. and "a endeavor 10 select the
officers OF the regiment from each.
In that case the division In which you
reside will comprehend the Counties
OF Hanover. Henrico. New Kent.
Charles City. James City. Mathews.
Gloucester. York, Warwick, Elizabeth
City. Accomack, Northampton. Caro-
line. Kin. and Queen. Essex. King
william, MIddiesex. Lancaster. North
cumberland Richmond. Westmoreland
and King George. To these counties.
then, YOU will be pleased most par
ticulariy to coniinc your attention.
But, If suitable characters are known
to- you in other parts of the State,
will thank you for the names OF them
also.
You will readily see that these
names must be handed to the Prcsi-
dent OF the United States for his ap,
probation and afterwards confirmed
or rejected by the Senate. it is. there
fore. proper that no assurance OF hp-
pointmcnt be given 10 the parties
which will render change impraS
ticoble without woundins their ieei-
lnES LOO fluCIl.
Gather Best Material.
Where you are not personally
we'll acquainted with such charac-
tiers as are 1T and willing TO serve
you will he so good as to obtain the
best recommendations and such az
You can rely upon. And every cau-
tionary measure Is necessary TO guard
against errors. which frequently re-
n endations are generally obtained.
the partiality OF friends. and delu-
sive hope that men of bad habits by
being transplanted into the army will
IL have ventured. Sir, to give you
this trouble because, from your for
mer service in the military line |
Judgment of proper characters TO be
brought forward at this timo: and
bcIeving that | might readily count
upon your best exertions TO render
n service to your country.
II will thank you for an acknowl-
edgment of the receipt of this letter
as soon as it Eets to your hands and
OF it. as far as you may then be
prepared to give them.
with very great esteem.
Il have the honor TO be, sir.
Your most obed. SER.
GEO. WASHINGTON"
Colonel john Cropper.-"As these
counties form q large district and |
may comprehend more valuable char
acte' than The acquaintance OF any |
one person III Il entents--it is left |
with you TO advise with others or
from such counties therein as your
intimacy is greatest To select n pro-
portlonate part--in a word. sir. pay
select in whole or In
part, such characters as would |
90 honor to the service and would
to commando measure tbomGh n
cannot be asked Is highly to be wish
eea r, d and would have been gladly en-
2 Tweftt IN the arrangement OF the
Il anything had appeared at that that
time indicative of YOUR Inclination
20 re,enter the military line" -"
Ihe true character or Colonel