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Start Over Date range 1862 Subjects Virginia Military Institute—Slang
Virginia Military Institute Archives

James H. Reid papers, 1862/1867

18 items

The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term "rat" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.

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James H. Reid papers, 1862/1867 18 items

Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921

The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term "rat" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Thomas B. Davis papers, 1862/1864

2 items

The Thomas B. Davis papers contain two items. The first is a letter (dated March 22, 1863) from Davis to his sister, Camillus Christian. This letter was written while Davis was a cadet at VMI. In this letter he mentions activities at VMI, Civil War news ("a considerable cavalry fight on the Rappahannock"), the unusual late snows, and provides an early use of the term "rat" as a reference to new cadets ("The legislature is still cutting up about our maltreating the new cadets, or as we call them, Rats....says that we are a set of precocious youths who came here to avoid conscription"). The second item is a VMI cadet account book containing school expenses.

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Thomas B. Davis papers, 1862/1864 2 items

Davis, Thomas B. (Thomas Bowker), 1842-1864

The Thomas B. Davis papers contain two items. The first is a letter (dated March 22, 1863) from Davis to his sister, Camillus Christian. This letter was written while Davis was a cadet at VMI. In this letter he mentions activities at VMI, Civil War news ("a considerable cavalry fight on the Rappahannock"), the unusual late snows, and provides an early use of the term "rat" as a reference to new cadets ("The legislature is still cutting up about our maltreating the new cadets, or as we call them, Rats....says that we are a set of precocious youths who came here to avoid conscription"). The second item is a VMI cadet account book containing school expenses.

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