Letter to parents

Scope and content:

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

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

V.M.I. Oct 12 1862. Sunday.

Dear Pa & Ma
I recd your letter day before yesterday, also the box & letter yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I was very hungry when the box came & I certainly enjoyed the sweet potatoes, bread & jelly &. But I am afraid I cannot eat any more because I have a rising in my ear which Dr. Madison cut yesterday. It is swollen up so much this evening that I can hardly open my mouth much less eat. I intend to try & keep my things until it gets so I can eat. The bread is the best thing as I can buy some butter & have very good eating.

If I had recd your letter about a week ago when I was sick I should certainly have applied for a furlough, but I have so far recovered that I think I can get along here, especially as it takes all the studying I can do to keep up with my class. If I go home I will be thrown back & will probably never catch up again. I would like very much to go but would rather wait till Christmas when we have 2 weeks vacation.

You need not be afraid of my being shipped for demerits as I have only 10. 5 for noise after taps, 3 for being late at Dress Parade (I had to go to the Surgeon's Office and as I came back stopped at the Tailor shop to be measured, the drum beat & before I could get to my room & get my gun my company had fallen in), & 2 for throwing water on stoop. One of my roommates threw the water on but denied it. I, as orderly, had to take the report. It has been some time since I got a report & I don't think I will get any more demerit.

Wm Gordon's son arrived yesterday. He is the greenest rat I ever saw--has no sense at all. I must close with love to all. I remain,
Your affectionate son
J. Henry Reid.

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
Correspondence

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