Letter to Lemuel Chenoweth

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life and Joseph H. Chenoweth being elected as "Private Secretary" to Francis H. Smith.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

V.M.I.
June 20th 58

Dear Father
I have been appointed "Private Secretary" to Col Smith, upon the condition that I remain at the V.M.I. until the first of August, therefore you need not send my furlough money until then. I should say will be appointed, as the appointments are not yet made -- and will not be before the 5th of July -- but this scarcely affects the matter, since the office has been promised me by the proper authority. Of course, whether I accept this office or not, will be entirely owing to what you think about it. The position offered me, is I believe the best one that will be given out -- and it is my hope that you will not object to my accepting -- and complying with the above mentioned condition. I am well. Give my love to all the family.

I have passed my examination on Latin & Philosophy. I am first, beyond a doubt, on Natural Philosophy -- and pretty low down on Latin. I will be examined tomorrow on Chemistry -- I have the first mark on this study with several others -- and will I hope stand abut third on it. I have a great deal of work on my hands just now -- I speak before a crowded house next Friday -- and am busy preparing for that occasion. Hope you are all well -- Tell Mother to write soon. Oh! how I long to see you all.

Your Affectionate Son
J.H. Chenoweth

To L Chenoweth
(P.S) You may if you have it to spare send me a few dollars. I need it--Joseph

(P.S. No 2) My classmate (Mr. Govan) who was very ill when I last wrote is slowly recovering -- he narrowly escaped the grave. His Mother has been with him for some time, and if he gets well, it will be on account of good nursing -- as the physicians concluded at one time that he must die. Mr. Hutter (another class-mate) whose lungs were affected is about well, he is now at the V.M.I. attending to his studies. Mr. Cooke who had the intermittent fever is well. Mr. Govan's disease is brain-fever, & I fear notwithstanding the present favorable symptoms, that he is not safe yet. Chenoweth

(P.S No 3) I saw Col Smith about my deposit when he was here -- before he started for Europe. He said that there was no danger of my not being allowed to go on with my studies in consequence of my indebtedness to the Institute, and gave me, for you, the enclosed note. The amount due the Institute, from me, is about $250 or more -- and $50 added to this as a deposit will make three hundred dollars -- This seems at first sight to be a larger sum -- but when we remember that no deposit has been sent for some time, the amount looks reasonable. The Col suggests that you give a negotiable note for $300 -- so that he may use it as money when he settles the affairs of the Institute with the state authorities -- Whether this is the best course to pursue is left wholly with you -- I would say though that if you have the money on hand -- send it -- by all means. I believe now that next year just before I graduate I will make an application for an Assistant Professorship in Mathematics -- in this way I will be enabled to pay the last installments of our debt -- myself -- But I will speak to you on this subject when I come home -- Excuse this long (P.S)
Joseph

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859
Correspondence

Names:

Johnson, Francis S. (Francis Smith), 1847-1902
Johnson, Francis S. (Francis Smith), 1847-1902

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