Letter to Amy Ann Tolson

Scope and content:

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

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

V.M.I. Oct 26 1862

Dear Ma
I recd your letters and also the box day before yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I enjoyed the bread very much and will have the potatoes cooked today. I enjoyed the bread very much. It rained very hard & I did not go to dinner so I came up to my room and eat nearly all of my rolls. I intend to get to the Old Judge (an old negro man who cooks all our Beef) to cook them this evening.

You may sell my Jacket & Overcoat if you want to, but don't you think my overcoat will make me a good coat or vest when cloth gets scarce, but you can dojust as you please. It is in the largest box at the office with my gun. My winter coat vest & pants will fit me a year, hence do not sell them. I have gotten entirely well and have to study hard to catch up & keep up with my section. I have had another rising in my ear but hope it will soon be well.

I have gotton off from all my demerits but 8, 5 for allowing visiting & 3 for loitering on post. The way I got the first was in this way. I was on Post no3 when the Inspector visited. I made all the rooms on my post report just before the Inspector visited. They all reported "all right" but the Inspector caught someone visiting & reported me as sentinel for allowing visiting. I told Capt. Semmes (who was acting commandant in Maj. Ship's absence) how it was but he would not let me off. Maj. Ship would have taken it off I am sure about loitering on post. I know nothing about it and will get off I think.

I have an opportunity of buying a first rate pair of high top shoes made something like the gaiters Pa got in Washington (which were the best shoes I ever had) for $15. Mr. White the father of one of my roommates who has a store up town had them before the war and offers them to me as a special favor (they do not fit his son). They are the finest calf-skin double soles worth $25 or $30 in Richmond or Lynchburg. I will need them this winter as my English shoes have proved a failure and have worn out already. If Pa thinks I had better take them he can send me a check or if he thinks not I will not get them. It is certainly a bargain & I am sure I will need them.

They have not commenced to heat up barracks yet. Some say they will not commence till Christmas. Gen. Smith has succeeded in getting cloth so I will have 2 uniforms. I have done without an overcoat & if I get a cadet overcoat I will send my cloth back home. It is very cold getting up at 5 oclk without any fire & going out & drilling an hour.

How do you get along with your envelopes. Write & tell me. I must close. Please excuse this hastily written eltter as I am writing in a cold room without any fire. With love to all I remain.
Your affectionate son
J. Henry Reid

P.S. I wish you could take a trip over here but it will cost a great deal I suppose and would hardly be worth while if I go home Christmas.

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
Correspondence

Names:

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

Access and use