parental advice. I have no fond Mother to cherish me, nor a kind Father to whom I can look for protection, but am thrown upon the cold uncharitable world as an Orphan who has no friends lo shelter him from the chilly blast of winter by which I am buffeted. But while I ask your sympathy, let me not forget the intention of this epistle. I do not wish to encumber you with impunity, well knowing decorum with all its refinements are not enough to gloss over the presumption of addressing a superior, and a stranger. But I come to you as to a parent, of whom I asked an advice. I have longed to be at Texas, but circumstances prevented me from going there I am now ready and willing to go, but before I hasten on this dangerous tour, I would ask your counsel, whether I could be advantageously situated in the army in the capacity of an officer, if you think I could, by informing me you would confer a favour for which I would lift my heart in gratitude as long as I am a probationer upon this sublunary World, and now in the sequel I have nothing more to add than this, that I am not disheartened at the news of the late massacre al Bexar. I am your obt svt John Groom To Gen. Samuel Houston Sir In my letter I said nothing regarding my knowledge of military tactics. I have for the last 18 months made them my principal study for I had a great desire to join the army, not as a common soldier but as an officer and I think that I have arived at· that part of my study which will enable me to say that I can go through or give the principals of the Drill of t~e Soldier _or Company with the greatest facility for recommendabons I can give Major Baily and Captain Munch of this place and many oth~r private citizens such as Merchants &c. An answer to my letter 1s most respectfully required immediately, and in what capacity I can be admited into the army of the Republic. P.S. I will endeavor to get all the young men to come that I can. Your well wisher John Groom
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