Edward M. Watson Letter
The collection consists of one letter (September 17, 1868) written by Virginia Military Institute Cadet Edward M. Watson to his father. Watson describes in detail the typical daily new cadet routine at VMI during the post-Civil War years. Topics include reveille, roll call, inspections, meals, study and recitation, drill and parade. The letter contains one of the earliest documented examples of term "rat" as a reference to a new cadet.
Dates
- 1868
Creator
- Watson, Edward Minor, 1851-1887 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Extent
1 items
Biographical / Historical
Edward Minor Watson was born in 1851, the son of John W. C. Watson, a lawyer and judge. He entered the Virginia Military Institute on September 14, 1868, from his home at Holly Springs, Mississippi and studied at VMI for one academic year, resigning his cadetship in 1869. Watson subsequently read law and received his license in 1871. He served as an attorney in the Department of Justice during President Grover Cleveland's first administration. Watson married Lily Moore of Noxubee County, Mississippi in 1871. The couple had five children: Dudley, Edward, William, Jean, and Anne. He died on December 7, 1887.
Physical Location
Online Access
Creator
- Watson, Edward Minor, 1851-1887 (Person)
- Title
- A Guide to the Edward M. Watson Letter, 1868
- Author
- Diane B. Jacob
- Date
- © 2002 Virginia Military Institute Archives
- Language of description
- Description is in English
Revision Statements
- 2004: Feb 16, 2004. PUBLIC "-//Virginia Military Institute::Preston Library::Archives//TEXT (US::ViLxV::vilxv00033::A Guide to the Edward M. Watson Letter)//EN" "vilxv00033.xml"converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Feb 26, 2004 converted to conform to eadVIVA.dtd by vivastrict.xsl
Repository Details
Part of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Repository
