Letter to Nancy A. Hart

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and cadet life.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Va Military Institute
Feb 7th 59

Dear Mother
Your very kind favor is at hand, and I proceed to reply immediately. I thought something more than ordinary was the matter at home. Had it been otherwise I would certainly have heard from you more frequently. I suppose you did not like to let me know that Taylor was so sick, and hence concluded to allow me to remain in blissful ignorance on this subject until you could inform me that he was nearly well. I am so glad that he is recovering. So glad that he is well enough to write to me, and that he will soon be well enough to go to school. I am also equally glad to hear that every body else at home is quite well. I received a letter from Mary some time ago. She was well. I can see from her letter that she is much pleased with the idea that she may learn music. It is my belief that she will be an apt scholar, since she has such an ardent desire to learn. I am expecting a letter from her now. I have not heard from Father recently. He will write soon I suppose. I am well, and doing well.

I was elected the other day one of the Speakers for the next Fourth of July. I wish some of my dear home-friends could be here on that day. -- I am very busy just now, but amid all my trials and labors, the thought that in four-and-a-half months I may return home -- never fails to solace me. You say, very truly too, that you have never fully answered my first letter yet, and what pleases me much you add that, in your next you will say something about the matters touched upon in that letter. I hope father is doing well, and making money by his contracts at Weston. What a load will be taken off his shoulders and off of my mind too, when I graduate and commence life for myself. I feel that he has already done more for me than I deserve, and am determined to do all I can to repay him (in part, for I despair of repaying him in full) for all that he has, and you for what you have, done for my sake. Col. Smith, who returned from Europe some time ago is now attending to the duties of his office. He lectures every Saturday evening on Europe, and is quite entertaining. By the way, I think I was highly complimented the other day. I will tell you how it came about. If you recollect aright, you are aware that I delivered a speech on the 11th of last November (the Anniversary of the Institute). Well Col. Smith was in Europe at that time and did not hear what I had to say. When he returned he prevailed upon one of my friends to borrow the speech from me for him, and without my knowing it he took it (the speech) down to Richmond last month, and read it before the Board of Visitors, and strange to tell, the Col says that Body were much pleased with it. -- In my dreams -- I had not thought that this little speech would procure for me the admiration of the Board, and in my waking hours I can not persuade myself that I desire this admiration on account of my having made this speech.

Write soon. Give my love to all the children., and to Father when you see him. -- Also -- My love to all my Aunts Cousins Uncles -- Grandmother, and Grandfathers. Have you heard from Aunt Mary H lately? How is she and uncle H getting along in Kansas. On the other side of this leaf you will find a little letter for Taylor, in answer to his, which accompanied yours.--
Your Affectionate Son
Joseph H. Chenoweth

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859
Correspondence

Names:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890

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