U.S. Military Academy West Point. N.Y. Augt: 9. 1853.
General.
I have the honor to return the letter of Mrs. Catherine L. Ward to his Excellency the President of the United States, making application for her son Lieut: J. N. Ward, 3rd Infty to be detailed for duty at the Mily. Academy.
From what I learn of Lieut: Ward he would be well suited for an assistant in the Dept: of Infty. Tactics, in which no vacancy now exists, but his standing in Mathematics (41), French (30), & Drawing (20), is too low to authorize me to add his name to he list of officers I have forwarded for details in those departments.
Very respectfully. Sir. Your obedt Servt
Signed/ Geo. W. Cullum
Capt: U.S. Engineers
Supt. Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 43. Addressed “Genl: Jos: G. Totten Chief Engineer Washington City D.C.”
George W. Cullum signed this letter on behalf of Lee.