{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute%E2%80%94Class+of+1872\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Item\u0026view=compact","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute%E2%80%94Class+of+1872\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Item\u0026page=1\u0026view=compact"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":2,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01","type":"Item","attributes":{"title":"Letter to Columbiana Major, 1870","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington, standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","parent_ssim":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127"],"title_filing_ssi":"Letter to Columbiana Major","title_ssm":["Letter to Columbiana Major"],"title_tesim":["Letter to Columbiana Major"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Letter to Columbiana Major, 1870"],"text":["Letter to Columbiana Major, 1870","William Nalle letter, 1870","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Lexington (Va.)—History","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Correspondence","English","Va Military Institute\nLexington Oct 16th 1870","Dear Mother\nI expect you have been looking for a letter from me for some time and in fact I would have written but about the time I thought of writing the rains \u0026 the flood came on, destroying bridges canals, \u0026 cutting off communication generally. I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee's death in the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties, military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for six months. The battalion flag has heavily draped in black, and is to stay so for the next six months. The Institute has been hung all around with black. The College buildings were also almost covered with black. All the churches and in fact the town looked as if they had been trying to cover everything with festoons of black cambric, and every sort of black that could be procured. The morning after his death we marched up and escorted the remains from the house to Washington College Chapel, where they lay in \"state\" until the burial yesterday morning. After the remains were placed in the Chapel on the morning of the 13th the entire procession was marched through the Chapel, past the corpse, which they were allowed to look at. The lid of the coffin having been taken off for that purpose. I saw the General after his death, and never saw a greater change than must have taken place in him a short time before he died. Some days before he was taken I met him in the path leading into town, coming in direction of the barracks. He was walking, and seemed to be the picture of health, and when I saw him in his coffin, he looked\nto be reduced to half his original size, and desperately thin. When first taken with the paralytic stroke or whatever it was, he fell on his dining room floor, a bed was placed under him and he died where he fell. The doctors forbid anyone to move him. Myself and four other cadets with Gen Smith's permission sat up all night with the corpse on Friday night, perfect silence was kept\nthe whole night, no one speaking except in a low whisper. It was considered a great honor to be allowed to sit up with the remains, and a great many applied for the privilege but one of the college professors on arrival took only five of us, whom he requested to stay. The day following the funeral procession after marching all around town and through the Institute grounds, formed around the college chapel and he was buried in the chapel under the\nfloor of the basement. The procession was a very large one, a great many persons from a distance being here. Our brass band with muffled drums, went ahead of the hearse playing the dead march. Cannon of our stationary battery were fired \u0026 \u0026. The hearse however was perfectly empty the corpse being all the time in the Chapel where it was placed at first. The flood of which I spoke, did a great deal of damage in this part of the country, carrying off\nsome ten or fifteen houses, some dwelling houses some ware houses situated at the canal boat landing near here all the bridges in the river were carried off and the canal running to this place entirely ruined, all the locks being torn up and carried off. It was a rare sight to see large houses, bridges, mills \u0026 every sort of lumber go sailing at a rapid rate, down the river. Up to a week or two since, we could get no mails or any thing that had to come from a distance, and it is still very difficult to get provisions. Mails come and go regularly now, as they have fixed ferries for stages \u0026\u0026. I was made a sergeant in Co A about three weeks ago, and the evening after the first\nappointment, I was appointed color sergeant. I have to carry the battalion flag and have charge of the color guard, do not wear any such accoutrements as cartridge box and bayonet scabbard, when I am in charge of the guard, as the other sergeants have to do, but wear only a sword and\nsash, go to church in the staff, and enjoy various other privileges Jessie is getting along very well, he seems to be a great favorite. I had him put in a room, with the best new cadets that I could find. One of them is a son of Col. Dulaney of Loudoun, the others seem very nice little\nfellows, and they are all about the same size. I am getting along pretty well I think, and I written about all that I can think of at present. Let me hear from you soon and let me know whether or not Gen Smith sent pa the receipt for the deposit.\nYour affectionate son\nW. Nalle","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington, standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property."],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1870"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1870 October 16"],"level_ssm":["Item"],"level_ssim":["Item"],"component_level_isim":[1],"sort_isi":1,"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"persname_ssim":["Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"names_ssim":["Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Lexington (Va.)—History","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Lexington (Va.)—History","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Correspondence"],"language_ssim":["English"],"date_range_isim":[1870],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Va Military Institute\nLexington Oct 16th 1870","Dear Mother\nI expect you have been looking for a letter from me for some time and in fact I would have written but about the time I thought of writing the rains \u0026 the flood came on, destroying bridges canals, \u0026 cutting off communication generally. I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee's death in the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties, military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for six months. The battalion flag has heavily draped in black, and is to stay so for the next six months. The Institute has been hung all around with black. The College buildings were also almost covered with black. All the churches and in fact the town looked as if they had been trying to cover everything with festoons of black cambric, and every sort of black that could be procured. The morning after his death we marched up and escorted the remains from the house to Washington College Chapel, where they lay in \"state\" until the burial yesterday morning. After the remains were placed in the Chapel on the morning of the 13th the entire procession was marched through the Chapel, past the corpse, which they were allowed to look at. The lid of the coffin having been taken off for that purpose. I saw the General after his death, and never saw a greater change than must have taken place in him a short time before he died. Some days before he was taken I met him in the path leading into town, coming in direction of the barracks. He was walking, and seemed to be the picture of health, and when I saw him in his coffin, he looked\nto be reduced to half his original size, and desperately thin. When first taken with the paralytic stroke or whatever it was, he fell on his dining room floor, a bed was placed under him and he died where he fell. The doctors forbid anyone to move him. Myself and four other cadets with Gen Smith's permission sat up all night with the corpse on Friday night, perfect silence was kept\nthe whole night, no one speaking except in a low whisper. It was considered a great honor to be allowed to sit up with the remains, and a great many applied for the privilege but one of the college professors on arrival took only five of us, whom he requested to stay. The day following the funeral procession after marching all around town and through the Institute grounds, formed around the college chapel and he was buried in the chapel under the\nfloor of the basement. The procession was a very large one, a great many persons from a distance being here. Our brass band with muffled drums, went ahead of the hearse playing the dead march. Cannon of our stationary battery were fired \u0026 \u0026. The hearse however was perfectly empty the corpse being all the time in the Chapel where it was placed at first. The flood of which I spoke, did a great deal of damage in this part of the country, carrying off\nsome ten or fifteen houses, some dwelling houses some ware houses situated at the canal boat landing near here all the bridges in the river were carried off and the canal running to this place entirely ruined, all the locks being torn up and carried off. It was a rare sight to see large houses, bridges, mills \u0026 every sort of lumber go sailing at a rapid rate, down the river. Up to a week or two since, we could get no mails or any thing that had to come from a distance, and it is still very difficult to get provisions. Mails come and go regularly now, as they have fixed ferries for stages \u0026\u0026. I was made a sergeant in Co A about three weeks ago, and the evening after the first\nappointment, I was appointed color sergeant. I have to carry the battalion flag and have charge of the color guard, do not wear any such accoutrements as cartridge box and bayonet scabbard, when I am in charge of the guard, as the other sergeants have to do, but wear only a sword and\nsash, go to church in the staff, and enjoy various other privileges Jessie is getting along very well, he seems to be a great favorite. I had him put in a room, with the best new cadets that I could find. One of them is a son of Col. Dulaney of Loudoun, the others seem very nice little\nfellows, and they are all about the same size. I am getting along pretty well I think, and I written about all that I can think of at present. Let me hear from you soon and let me know whether or not Gen Smith sent pa the receipt for the deposit.\nYour affectionate son\nW. Nalle"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington, standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington, standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property."],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:37:30.860Z","odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eVa Military Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington Oct 16th 1870\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nI expect you have been looking for a letter from me for some time and in fact I would have written but about the time I thought of writing the rains \u0026amp; the flood came on, destroying bridges canals, \u0026amp; cutting off communication generally. I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee's death in the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties, military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for six months. The battalion flag has heavily draped in black, and is to stay so for the next six months. The Institute has been hung all around with black. The College buildings were also almost covered with black. All the churches and in fact the town looked as if they had been trying to cover everything with festoons of black cambric, and every sort of black that could be procured. The morning after his death we marched up and escorted the remains from the house to Washington College Chapel, where they lay in \"state\" until the burial yesterday morning. After the remains were placed in the Chapel on the morning of the 13th the entire procession was marched through the Chapel, past the corpse, which they were allowed to look at. The lid of the coffin having been taken off for that purpose. I saw the General after his death, and never saw a greater change than must have taken place in him a short time before he died. Some days before he was taken I met him in the path leading into town, coming in direction of the barracks. He was walking, and seemed to be the picture of health, and when I saw him in his coffin, he looked\nto be reduced to half his original size, and desperately thin. When first taken with the paralytic stroke or whatever it was, he fell on his dining room floor, a bed was placed under him and he died where he fell. The doctors forbid anyone to move him. Myself and four other cadets with Gen Smith's permission sat up all night with the corpse on Friday night, perfect silence was kept\nthe whole night, no one speaking except in a low whisper. It was considered a great honor to be allowed to sit up with the remains, and a great many applied for the privilege but one of the college professors on arrival took only five of us, whom he requested to stay. The day following the funeral procession after marching all around town and through the Institute grounds, formed around the college chapel and he was buried in the chapel under the\nfloor of the basement. The procession was a very large one, a great many persons from a distance being here. Our brass band with muffled drums, went ahead of the hearse playing the dead march. Cannon of our stationary battery were fired \u0026amp; \u0026amp;. The hearse however was perfectly empty the corpse being all the time in the Chapel where it was placed at first. The flood of which I spoke, did a great deal of damage in this part of the country, carrying off\nsome ten or fifteen houses, some dwelling houses some ware houses situated at the canal boat landing near here all the bridges in the river were carried off and the canal running to this place entirely ruined, all the locks being torn up and carried off. It was a rare sight to see large houses, bridges, mills \u0026amp; every sort of lumber go sailing at a rapid rate, down the river. Up to a week or two since, we could get no mails or any thing that had to come from a distance, and it is still very difficult to get provisions. Mails come and go regularly now, as they have fixed ferries for stages \u0026amp;\u0026amp;. I was made a sergeant in Co A about three weeks ago, and the evening after the first\nappointment, I was appointed color sergeant. I have to carry the battalion flag and have charge of the color guard, do not wear any such accoutrements as cartridge box and bayonet scabbard, when I am in charge of the guard, as the other sergeants have to do, but wear only a sword and\nsash, go to church in the staff, and enjoy various other privileges Jessie is getting along very well, he seems to be a great favorite. I had him put in a room, with the best new cadets that I could find. One of them is a son of Col. Dulaney of Loudoun, the others seem very nice little\nfellows, and they are all about the same size. I am getting along pretty well I think, and I written about all that I can think of at present. Let me hear from you soon and let me know whether or not Gen Smith sent pa the receipt for the deposit.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nW. Nalle\u003c/p\u003e"],"collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_127.xml","title_ssm":["William Nalle letter"],"title_tesim":["William Nalle letter"],"unitdate_ssm":["1870"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1870"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1870"],"normalized_title_ssm":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"text":["William Nalle letter, 1870","MS.0042","/repositories/3/resources/127","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Lexington (Va.)—History","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","William Nalle was born circa 1848 in Culpeper, Virginia. He graduated from VMI in 1872, and went on to become a civil engineer and farmer. During the Spanish-American War he served as the Adjutant General of Virginia, Colonel, 4th Virginia Infantry. Nalle served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1898 to 1906. He died on July 30, 1911 in Culpeper, Virginia.","This collection consists of one letter (dated October 16, 1870) from Cadet William Nalle to his mother, Columbiana Major. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington (Virginia), standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Nalle, William, 1848?-1911","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"collection_ssim":["William Nalle letter, 1870"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0042","/repositories/3/resources/127"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0042","/repositories/3/resources/127"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Nalle, William, 1848?-1911"],"creator_ssim":["Nalle, William, 1848?-1911"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Nalle, William, 1848?-1911","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creators_ssim":["Nalle, William, 1848?-1911","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Lexington (Va.)—History","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879","Floods—Virginia—Rockbridge County","Rockbridge County (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Lexington (Va.)—History","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["1 items"],"extent_tesim":["1 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1870],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWilliam Nalle was born circa 1848 in Culpeper, Virginia. He graduated from VMI in 1872, and went on to become a civil engineer and farmer. During the Spanish-American War he served as the Adjutant General of Virginia, Colonel, 4th Virginia Infantry. Nalle served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1898 to 1906. He died on July 30, 1911 in Culpeper, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["William Nalle was born circa 1848 in Culpeper, Virginia. He graduated from VMI in 1872, and went on to become a civil engineer and farmer. During the Spanish-American War he served as the Adjutant General of Virginia, Colonel, 4th Virginia Infantry. Nalle served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1898 to 1906. He died on July 30, 1911 in Culpeper, Virginia."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWilliam Nalle letter, 1870. MS 0042. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["William Nalle letter, 1870. MS 0042. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of one letter (dated October 16, 1870) from Cadet William Nalle to his mother, Columbiana Major. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington (Virginia), standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection consists of one letter (dated October 16, 1870) from Cadet William Nalle to his mother, Columbiana Major. The letter contains a detailed account of the death and funeral of General Robert E. Lee. Nalle describes mourning activities at VMI, Washington College, and Lexington (Virginia), standing guard over Lee's body with four other cadets, and the funeral procession. The letter also mentions a flood in Rockbridge County, Virginia that destroyed canal locks, bridges, and other property."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_cb5f6ad46538c3174d794c0df0249f0a\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"persname_ssim":["Nalle, William, 1848?-1911","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"names_coll_ssim":["Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Nalle, William, 1848?-1911","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":1,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:37:30.860Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_127_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01","type":"Item","attributes":{"title":"Letter to John W. C. Watson, 1868","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Edward M. 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.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618","parent_ssim":["Edward M. Watson letter, 1868"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_618"],"title_filing_ssi":"Letter to John W. C. Watson","title_ssm":["Letter to John W. C. Watson"],"title_tesim":["Letter to John W. C. Watson"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Letter to John W. C. Watson, 1868"],"text":["Letter to John W. C. Watson, 1868","Edward M. Watson letter, 1868","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Slang","Correspondence","English","V.M.I., Sept. 17th, 1868","Dear Pa,","As I expected when I wrote to Ma, I reported to Gen. Smith on Monday morning and went into barracks the same day. Now, as I promised to do before I left home, I will give an account of how I spent the next day after my arrival, and in doing that I tell what has passed every day since and will pass every day to come, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, for the next ten months.","I will begin my description just at 5 o'clock when I awakened by a most dreadful noise. I at first thought that the house was falling or that a volcano had burst in about a quarter of a mile from - I hardly knew where, as I found myself lying with nothing between me and floor except a mattress about three feet wide. I was soon enlightened as to the cause of the disturbance by an old cadet who in the dim light of the very early morning","[End of letter written vertically at right top]","Since finishing the last line I have received Jim's letter. Present the old fellow my compliments and tell him to do so some more. Tell Sister Cora please to write quick. I will write to Sis Lis in a few days. I intended to copy this letter but the drum is sounding and I must close. You must answer this soon. s/Eddie","morning, as he stood dressing close by, I had not noticed. He remarked in a tone which seemed anything but motherly, \"Rat, get up, Sir, and go to reveille.\" At this I opened my eyes somewhat wider, and remembering the state of affairs, I thought it best to do as he said. I got up and doing as he did, hurried on my clothes, not tying my shoes or washing my face or combing my hair, and rushed frantically down three flights of steps to the front of the barracks. All the cadets were there before me. We fell in companies and answered to our names as the Or. Sr. called the roll. We were then disbanded and were given ½ hour to make our toilets and clean up our room.","In cleaning up our room we have to take everything from the tables and chairs and put them in their proper place and have to roll up our beds in a bundle about 2 feet in diameter and lay them in a corner. At the end of the half hour the inspector visits and sees that everything is right. Then in a few minutes the drum calls us to the front and we fall in and after our names have been called we march into the breakfast room. Each one having reached the seat assigned assumes the position of a soldier and standing staring the boy on the opposite of the table in the face (who by the way in my case is mighty ugly), we have to wait until everybody has formed in his place. Then at the word \"be seated\" each head of the three hundred cadets bobs down and we commence eating.","At the end of fifteen minutes we are commanded to rise. We at the door again fall in and march round to the front, there we disband. For fifteen minutes we do what we please. Then the drum calls us to study. We recite until one o'clock when time is given for dinner. We march to dinner and march back as we did at breakfast. At 2 o'clock we are again called to study. At 4 o'clock we are dismissed. At 4 ½ we are called for evening drill. The drill lasts 1 ½ hours. We have then 15 minutes to fix for dress parade. After parade 5 minutes is given to change clothes. We then march to supper and the dinner ceremony is repeated. We have then 15 minutes, when we are called to study. We study until half past nine when we are called to tattoo. Then in five minutes the drum sounds for blowing out lights. The inspector visits immediately to see that everybody is in bed and then nothing is heard but the tread or challenge of the sentinel until five in the morning.","Now, Pa, when you remember that we are compelled to clean our shoes before falling in ranks every time and that it must be done well, for even a speck on the heel is noticed, you must know that I am right busy. Tell Sis Lizzie I have entered the third class and am studying mathematics, Descriptive Geometry. Give everybody my love and write soon. Tell Ma and Sister that I do love them a heap more for their letters which were received just when I was most homesick. Kiss Sister Cora and ask her please to write. Tell Jim to give my love to Miss Vee and fulfill his promise.\nGoodbye.\nYour Affectionate Son,\ns/ Eddie Watson, Cadet","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Edward M. 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."],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Edward M. Watson letter, 1868"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Edward M. Watson letter, 1868"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1868"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1868 September 17"],"level_ssm":["Item"],"level_ssim":["Item"],"component_level_isim":[1],"sort_isi":1,"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Edward M. 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Now, as I promised to do before I left home, I will give an account of how I spent the next day after my arrival, and in doing that I tell what has passed every day since and will pass every day to come, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, for the next ten months.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eI will begin my description just at 5 o'clock when I awakened by a most dreadful noise. I at first thought that the house was falling or that a volcano had burst in about a quarter of a mile from - I hardly knew where, as I found myself lying with nothing between me and floor except a mattress about three feet wide. I was soon enlightened as to the cause of the disturbance by an old cadet who in the dim light of the very early morning\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e[End of letter written vertically at right top]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSince finishing the last line I have received Jim's letter. Present the old fellow my compliments and tell him to do so some more. Tell Sister Cora please to write quick. I will write to Sis Lis in a few days. I intended to copy this letter but the drum is sounding and I must close. You must answer this soon. s/Eddie\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003emorning, as he stood dressing close by, I had not noticed. He remarked in a tone which seemed anything but motherly, \"Rat, get up, Sir, and go to reveille.\" At this I opened my eyes somewhat wider, and remembering the state of affairs, I thought it best to do as he said. I got up and doing as he did, hurried on my clothes, not tying my shoes or washing my face or combing my hair, and rushed frantically down three flights of steps to the front of the barracks. All the cadets were there before me. We fell in companies and answered to our names as the Or. Sr. called the roll. We were then disbanded and were given ½ hour to make our toilets and clean up our room.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn cleaning up our room we have to take everything from the tables and chairs and put them in their proper place and have to roll up our beds in a bundle about 2 feet in diameter and lay them in a corner. At the end of the half hour the inspector visits and sees that everything is right. Then in a few minutes the drum calls us to the front and we fall in and after our names have been called we march into the breakfast room. Each one having reached the seat assigned assumes the position of a soldier and standing staring the boy on the opposite of the table in the face (who by the way in my case is mighty ugly), we have to wait until everybody has formed in his place. Then at the word \"be seated\" each head of the three hundred cadets bobs down and we commence eating.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAt the end of fifteen minutes we are commanded to rise. We at the door again fall in and march round to the front, there we disband. For fifteen minutes we do what we please. Then the drum calls us to study. We recite until one o'clock when time is given for dinner. We march to dinner and march back as we did at breakfast. At 2 o'clock we are again called to study. At 4 o'clock we are dismissed. At 4 ½ we are called for evening drill. The drill lasts 1 ½ hours. We have then 15 minutes to fix for dress parade. After parade 5 minutes is given to change clothes. We then march to supper and the dinner ceremony is repeated. We have then 15 minutes, when we are called to study. We study until half past nine when we are called to tattoo. Then in five minutes the drum sounds for blowing out lights. The inspector visits immediately to see that everybody is in bed and then nothing is heard but the tread or challenge of the sentinel until five in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNow, Pa, when you remember that we are compelled to clean our shoes before falling in ranks every time and that it must be done well, for even a speck on the heel is noticed, you must know that I am right busy. Tell Sis Lizzie I have entered the third class and am studying mathematics, Descriptive Geometry. Give everybody my love and write soon. Tell Ma and Sister that I do love them a heap more for their letters which were received just when I was most homesick. Kiss Sister Cora and ask her please to write. Tell Jim to give my love to Miss Vee and fulfill his promise.\u003cbr\u003e\nGoodbye.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\ns/ Eddie Watson, Cadet\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["V.M.I., Sept. 17th, 1868","Dear Pa,","As I expected when I wrote to Ma, I reported to Gen. Smith on Monday morning and went into barracks the same day. Now, as I promised to do before I left home, I will give an account of how I spent the next day after my arrival, and in doing that I tell what has passed every day since and will pass every day to come, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, for the next ten months.","I will begin my description just at 5 o'clock when I awakened by a most dreadful noise. I at first thought that the house was falling or that a volcano had burst in about a quarter of a mile from - I hardly knew where, as I found myself lying with nothing between me and floor except a mattress about three feet wide. I was soon enlightened as to the cause of the disturbance by an old cadet who in the dim light of the very early morning","[End of letter written vertically at right top]","Since finishing the last line I have received Jim's letter. Present the old fellow my compliments and tell him to do so some more. Tell Sister Cora please to write quick. I will write to Sis Lis in a few days. I intended to copy this letter but the drum is sounding and I must close. You must answer this soon. s/Eddie","morning, as he stood dressing close by, I had not noticed. He remarked in a tone which seemed anything but motherly, \"Rat, get up, Sir, and go to reveille.\" At this I opened my eyes somewhat wider, and remembering the state of affairs, I thought it best to do as he said. I got up and doing as he did, hurried on my clothes, not tying my shoes or washing my face or combing my hair, and rushed frantically down three flights of steps to the front of the barracks. All the cadets were there before me. We fell in companies and answered to our names as the Or. Sr. called the roll. We were then disbanded and were given ½ hour to make our toilets and clean up our room.","In cleaning up our room we have to take everything from the tables and chairs and put them in their proper place and have to roll up our beds in a bundle about 2 feet in diameter and lay them in a corner. At the end of the half hour the inspector visits and sees that everything is right. Then in a few minutes the drum calls us to the front and we fall in and after our names have been called we march into the breakfast room. Each one having reached the seat assigned assumes the position of a soldier and standing staring the boy on the opposite of the table in the face (who by the way in my case is mighty ugly), we have to wait until everybody has formed in his place. Then at the word \"be seated\" each head of the three hundred cadets bobs down and we commence eating.","At the end of fifteen minutes we are commanded to rise. We at the door again fall in and march round to the front, there we disband. For fifteen minutes we do what we please. Then the drum calls us to study. We recite until one o'clock when time is given for dinner. We march to dinner and march back as we did at breakfast. At 2 o'clock we are again called to study. At 4 o'clock we are dismissed. At 4 ½ we are called for evening drill. The drill lasts 1 ½ hours. We have then 15 minutes to fix for dress parade. After parade 5 minutes is given to change clothes. We then march to supper and the dinner ceremony is repeated. We have then 15 minutes, when we are called to study. We study until half past nine when we are called to tattoo. Then in five minutes the drum sounds for blowing out lights. The inspector visits immediately to see that everybody is in bed and then nothing is heard but the tread or challenge of the sentinel until five in the morning.","Now, Pa, when you remember that we are compelled to clean our shoes before falling in ranks every time and that it must be done well, for even a speck on the heel is noticed, you must know that I am right busy. Tell Sis Lizzie I have entered the third class and am studying mathematics, Descriptive Geometry. Give everybody my love and write soon. Tell Ma and Sister that I do love them a heap more for their letters which were received just when I was most homesick. Kiss Sister Cora and ask her please to write. Tell Jim to give my love to Miss Vee and fulfill his promise.\nGoodbye.\nYour Affectionate Son,\ns/ Eddie Watson, Cadet"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Edward M. 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.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Edward M. 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. 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Watson letter, 1868","MS.0011","/repositories/3/resources/618","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Slang","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1872","Correspondence","There are no restrictions.","Edward Minor Watson was born in 1851, the son of John W. C. Watson, a lawyer and judge. He entered VMI on September 14, 1868, from his home in 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 and the couple had five children: Dudley, Edward, William, Jean, and Anne. 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