Letter from Lawrence Royster to John E. Roller

Creator:

Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academic problems, uncertainty about staying at VMI, and mentions several recent graduates and cadets.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

V.M.Institute
Monday Feb. 22nd 1864

My dear Roller,
This is the first holyday that has not found me on fatigue guard for some time past so I will take advantage of it by replying to your letter which was received on yesterday morning. The last account I had of you was that you were in Richmond, applying for an office in the Ordnance Department. I am glad to hear that you are busily engaged in your new department. Allow me to thank you most kindly for your wishes for my success here as well as the desire you expressed of having me with you in your new home. Your letter inspired me with an ardent desire to join you. Since you left I have been several times on the eve of resigning and going to Charleston. I was fortunate enough in January to pass an examination, while many others were thrown and had to resign or be sent home. But at the same time I was so unfortunate as to be thrown into the third section. Since then I have labored with unceasing fidelity, but it seems the harder I work, the worse marks I make. I thought Analytical Geometry was hard enough, but Description certainly surpasses it by far, on that subject I am totally in the dark. My low mark and imperfect recitation have discouraged me so much that I have lost all taste for study. I wrote home for advise on resigning, but they wrote back earnestly entreating me to remain until July. However I have no idea that I will take that advice, I may leave at any time. I may leave am exceedingly anxious to be with you, and I now promise, if I leave at any time, will join you. It is a struggle between life and death with me now, if I leave, I give up all hope of ever obtaining an education, and seeing you do so well, inspires me with new desire of finishing my education at the "V.M.I." At the same time I am anxious to be with you. If I enter the service at all I shall not even think of applying for an office of any kind, I expect to be a private wherever I go. At the same time accept my most sincere thanks for your kindness in offering me the office of O.S. if you could get it and I would accept it. I would accept it with great pleasure. I sometimes give up all hope of passing, and then again think of remaining and taking my chances in June, so I do not know what to be at. I shall consult Spex in a day or two and will be guided very much by what he says; though very little confidence can be put in anything that he says on such a subject as that, I do not suppose he would tell me even what he thought, however I shall try him.

Prince left here about one month ago, I heard since then that he was a Sergeant in the Engineers Corps, you seem to be the only successful one in your class. Grigg I hear is walking around loose in Petersburg. I am sure no one at the "V.M.I." was glad at your leaving, indeed I heard some express their regret at it. Your old room is vacant. Sally Crawford and Lieut. Steptoe (new Sub) occupy No. 20 together, the former remains very quiet, is swelling on his bars and escorting the ladies home from church, etc. I do not know his qualifications as professor. The occupants of 23 all send their kindest regards. Pat Shafer has just come from the Hospital where he had been confined for several weeks with a severe attack of pneumonia, we thought at one time that he intended leaving us. Blum has been reinstated, but Spex refused to let him go on with the 2nd Class, so he has resigned, he says he will accept a Sergeancy if you will give it to him. Capt. Whitwell has recently returned from furlough accompanied by his lady, they are boarding at the Lexington Hotel. Miss Logan and Mr. Davidson were recently married also, the former I expect you know, a refugee from Winchester. What do you think of the recent law of Congress in regard to the Currency, taxes, etc? I am extremely glad that it will reduce the price of goods. The Steamer which has been as long on the way from Europe has recently arrived, but was destroyed for the goods falling into yankee hands, there were on board all the goods which we needed, the finest english gray cloth, etc. but unfortunately all were lost so I have given up on the idea of wearing a fine suit again.

Spex is still shipping indiscriminately, sometimes twelve or fifteen daily, rats are also reporting in numbers.

Patsy says he will accept an Orderly Sergeant's place if you will give it him, but he adds "if he can do no better." Ross desires his kindest regards to you. I must close, though it is the 22nd, my time is limited. If I do leave, which I confidently expect to do, will write you immediately. I am anxious to be with you. I hope you will write me as often as possible, your letters will always be agreeable.

I am, as ever,
Your Sincere friend
Lawrence Royster

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
Correspondence

Names:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903
Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865
Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877
Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917
Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914
Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903
Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865
Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877
Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917

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