New Orleans Mch 15th 1864
Ralph L. Goodrich Esq.
Little Rock, Ark.,
My Dear Sir:
Yours of 27th Feby
reached me yesterday.
In reply, I have to say that Ex-
aminations of the physical qualifi-
cations of officers in des Corps d'Af
rique have always heretofore
been merely nominal. There is
not even the pretense of a surgi-
cal Examination.
You can come down and enter
the Corps and try it. If you post
up a little in tactics, I do not see
how you could find to pass for
a commission in some grade, as
your Education is a great capital
I think you would be a good
Willoughby Babcock was a native of New York and an attorney. He and Goodrich had studied law together. Babcock later died from wounds received at the Battle of Winchester, Virginia.
Description
Letter from W. Babcock in New Orleans to Ralph Goodrich in Little Rock. Babcock tells Goodrich that examinations of the physical qualifications as an officer should not be a concern and states that Goodrich's education is an asset. If Goodrich improves a little in tactics, he could probably receive a commission and may be able to join troops at Shreveport. Babcock says that he hasn't personally taken part in the present campaign but that he finds his current situation in New Orleans to be pleasant, calling the climate delightful and stating he is in excellent health.
Physical Description
Letter, 3 pages, 5.25" x 8"
Subjects
Civil War; Military; Military Officers; War; Correspondence
Geographical Area
Little Rock, Pulaski County. (Ark.); New Orleans, Orleans Parrish. (La.)
Language
English
Local Identifier
Goodrich Family papers, MS.000069, Box 1, Folder 7, #68
Digital Resource
Image
Digital Collection
Every Front is the Home Front - Arkansas in the Civil War
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Preferred Citation
Letter, W. Babcock to Ralph Goodrich, Goodrich Family papers, MS.000069, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas
Rights and Usage
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
New Orleans Mch 15th 1864
Ralph L. Goodrich Esq.
Little Rock, Ark.,
My Dear Sir:
Yours of 27th Feby
reached me yesterday.
In reply, I have to say that Ex-
aminations of the physical qualifi-
cations of officers in des Corps d'Af
rique have always heretofore
been merely nominal. There is
not even the pretense of a surgi-
cal Examination.
You can come down and enter
the Corps and try it. If you post
up a little in tactics, I do not see
how you could find to pass for
a commission in some grade, as
your Education is a great capital
I think you would be a good
