Letter to James Henry Reid, Sr., 1862 September 30
Item
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.
Dates
- 1862 September 30
Extent
From the Sub-Series: 14 items
Transcription
V .M.I. Sept 30 1862
Dear Pa
I recd your letter yesterday morning after I had written you in answer to a letter recd several days ago. I am very glad to hear that the cloth will be here so soon, as it is very cold late at night and early in the morning with my white uniform, and besides I nearly freeze when I go on guard at night (every 4th night). Since I recd the blankets I have been very comfortable at night.
Speaking of the fare I could not get milk or bread, the only thing you can buy up here is apples, and you have to live on them. At breakfast this morning I took a small piece of bread for my dinner (I did not intend to go to dinner), and was reported for "carrying provisions from Hall." Don't you think that is hard.
I have been sick now for nearly two weeks & have fallen off about 25 pounds. Dr. Madison has been giving me quinine and some kind of acid, which does me a little good but about 4 oclock every evening I have a very high fever which lasts till after bed time. I have had it regularly every evening for two weeks. I understand Dr. Madison said this morning that the fare here was calculated to give any body the Typhoid fever. I hope they will change it, for the milk affects me just as it does you. I don't know what you call the disease but think it is the "dyspepsia". I have attended to nearly all my duty since I have been sick, but I will go into the Hospital if it continues much longer.
I have gotten off from all my demerits except "noise after taps," 5 demerits which I think when Maj. Shipp returns I will get off from. I got a report yesterday for grabbing provisions which I intend to deny for I can prove by 3 or 4 that I did not do it. The Sergeant who reported me says himself he may have been mistaken in the person. I cannot get off until Maj. Shipp returns (report says he has gone off to be married.) I have another report for "allowing visiting whilst on Post on 25th". I was not on post on that day, but a rat by the name of Reed T. from Winchester was. I will refer that to him, also a report loitering on post. I think I can get off from all but the 5 for "noise after Taps."
I have been made Section marcher to the 8th section, 4th class math (the duty of a Section Marcher is to call the roll of his section every time it goes into recite, also to march the section in, report all absentees & is responsible for all trifling & talking in ranks
Dear Pa
I recd your letter yesterday morning after I had written you in answer to a letter recd several days ago. I am very glad to hear that the cloth will be here so soon, as it is very cold late at night and early in the morning with my white uniform, and besides I nearly freeze when I go on guard at night (every 4th night). Since I recd the blankets I have been very comfortable at night.
Speaking of the fare I could not get milk or bread, the only thing you can buy up here is apples, and you have to live on them. At breakfast this morning I took a small piece of bread for my dinner (I did not intend to go to dinner), and was reported for "carrying provisions from Hall." Don't you think that is hard.
I have been sick now for nearly two weeks & have fallen off about 25 pounds. Dr. Madison has been giving me quinine and some kind of acid, which does me a little good but about 4 oclock every evening I have a very high fever which lasts till after bed time. I have had it regularly every evening for two weeks. I understand Dr. Madison said this morning that the fare here was calculated to give any body the Typhoid fever. I hope they will change it, for the milk affects me just as it does you. I don't know what you call the disease but think it is the "dyspepsia". I have attended to nearly all my duty since I have been sick, but I will go into the Hospital if it continues much longer.
I have gotten off from all my demerits except "noise after taps," 5 demerits which I think when Maj. Shipp returns I will get off from. I got a report yesterday for grabbing provisions which I intend to deny for I can prove by 3 or 4 that I did not do it. The Sergeant who reported me says himself he may have been mistaken in the person. I cannot get off until Maj. Shipp returns (report says he has gone off to be married.) I have another report for "allowing visiting whilst on Post on 25th". I was not on post on that day, but a rat by the name of Reed T. from Winchester was. I will refer that to him, also a report loitering on post. I think I can get off from all but the 5 for "noise after Taps."
I have been made Section marcher to the 8th section, 4th class math (the duty of a Section Marcher is to call the roll of his section every time it goes into recite, also to march the section in, report all absentees & is responsible for all trifling & talking in ranks
Repository Details
Part of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Repository
