Dabney H. Maury to H. L: Clay, April 23, 1864

General SAMUEL COOPER, C. S. Army, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I respectfully suggest to the consideration of the War Department the establishment here of a military school for the education of young officers. There are many young gentlemen serving as privates in the ranks who would derive much benefit and be enabled to render better service if the means of education were afforded them. Mobile seems to me to be the best place in the southwest for the establishment of military schools, and at this time there are several officers on duty here, graduates of military colleges and men of good ability and attainments, who will gladly aid in organizing a good system of military education. I have requested Colonels Burnet, Beltzhoover, Sheliha, Brown, and Quattlebaum, and Major Trueheart to submit to me a project for military education, which, if desired, I will transmit to the War Department for the consideration of His Excellency the President.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,