Letter to Lemuel Chenoweth

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Virginia Military Institute
Sep 28th. 55. (1855)

Dear Father:
I received your letter of the 11th and was extremely glad to hear that you were all well. I am getting along first rate with my studies. The 4th class study algebra, Geography and English; we will not commence studying French until January. We recite Algebra at 8 o clock in the morning, Geography at 11, and English at 3, and we have Battalion Drill at 5 o clock in the evening.

I stand guard about once a week. I have been Drilled so much that I have become to be a tolerable good soldier. As to the letter which James Campbell has in his possession, I do not know whether it is genuine or not I did write a letter to him but I certainly did not say any thing about being tied and ducked. I was dragged a short distance one night, but it did not hurt me any. The cadets attempted to duck me and another new Cadet, but I jumped from under the water and did not get but very little on me. They also tied the Military cravat on me. They did this by tying my cravat in about a dozen knots, this was all done while we [were] in camp. Since we came in barracks they do not molest us New Cadets. And in fact they all treat me very well. It is perfectly impossible for a man to come here without having to undergo some bad treatment, at first. You can rest assured that I am well pleased with the place. They beat the drum so near my room that it always wakes me up. Except that the first morning we came in barracks, I did not hear the drum beat, but they did not miss me.

Tell Mother that she need not be uneasy about my sleeping too late. I always am among the first ones up. I wish you would send me a copy of the Dispatch occasionally if it is not too much trouble. Give my love to all the family.

Yours Affectionately
J. H. Chenoweth, V.M.I.

To L. Chenoweth
Beverly, Va.

P. S. I was very much surprised to hear of the marriage of Mary E. Chenoweth with E. Rowan.
J.H.C.

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859
Correspondence

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