Letter to Katherine Snodgrass-Boyd

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet preparations for war after the news "came that the Yankees were about entering Staunton" (Virginia). The letter also mentions that General Stonewall Jackson is "keeping us [VMI cadets] as a reserve body" and that John B. Snodgrass is actively working to resign from VMI.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Virginia Military Institute
April 29th 1862

Dear Sister
I have just read your letter and now will answer it. Since I last wrote to you we have been constantly under a great state of excitement. Last Sunday the news came that the Yankees were about entering Staunton. Academic duties were suspended and our time was devoted to three drills a day – preparing ourselves to meet the invader, should he attempt to drive us away from the V.M.I. Genl Smith told us he intended to lead us out to meet them, if they came a thousand strong. He had provisions cooked for us as to take with us on our way to Lynchburg or Richmond if they came in too large a force for us to meet them. I assure you I was very sorry when I heard they were not coming to Staunton. Genl Smith wrote to Genl Jackson tendering him our services. Genl Jackson replied, that he would keep us as a reserve body. That we could be of immense service to him and that he would call upon us when he wanted us – that we must keep ourselves constantly in readiness. I do hope he will call upon us. It will be the proudest day of my life when we receive marching orders to defend our own homes against the invader. I am not content to stay here, when the Old Dominion – The Mother of Statesmen and heroes is calling so loudly upon her sons to rally to her defense – when this bloody war is over. What a pleasure it will be to every son of Virginia to know that he was so manly and brave as to lay his life upon his countrys altar. Don't be surprised if you should see me in Charlottesville some of these pretty days. I am now waiting to hear from Bose, for permission to resign. Genl S. will not accept my resignation without permission. Why are you so homesick – cheer up. It will not be long before you can get home. If the great battle at Yorktown is fought – the Yankees will leave the valley quicker than they came into it! Genl S told me yesterday they were falling back toward the Potomac – hope it is true. Genl Jackson (Stonewall Jackson) is not at Gordonsville he is in the neighbourhood of Harrisonburg – near the blue ridge. You are I suppose were very much excited when the cannon was sent back to Charlottesville. All were we could not study. Prof. told us they did not expect us to study. The young ladies at the Institute in Staunton came back to Lexington. Six stages loaded with passengers came from Staunton that Sunday evening. Should the Yankees get possession of Charlottesville, do what Miss L thinks best. As for myself I will go immediately to the army. When I wrote to you I could have gotten home by the counties I mentioned but I can't now. They are occupied by the Yankees . Well Kate I must close write to me often – I am always glad to hear from you. Love to Nannie. Goodbye
Your affectionate brother
(signed) J. B. Snodgrass

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865
Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864
Correspondence

Names:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863
Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863

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