Transcription

Dear Sister According to promice I sit down to write to you. I wrote to Mama the day after I arrived here. The 2 evening I had been here I was invited to the Misses Baxters to Tea an was treeted so kindly that I began to feel some what like I was at home. Sister no one can like this place at first but I will soon become use to it I reckon. I met Risk Hutter at Buchannan and he gave me a letter of introduction to Breedlove the Adjutant of the Corps. I expect he is a very nice fellow without knowing whether he is or not.

I have not commenced studying yet on account of the examination but will comence studying tomorrow I hope. I have made severall very pleasant acquaintances since I have been here. Burton one of my roomates is a very good fellow but I do not consider any of them my equals. Ruffin from Salem is here. I have had one report against me for not [doudling] in ranks property but Major Ship let me off with the report. Any one can get off with all reports & demerits that they get untill they have been here a month.

I made the accuaintance of a Mrs Myers comeing over here, a very nice old lady and she invited me very kindly to come and see her. The old cadets have give me 2 or 3 buckings every day since I have been here. They hurt at first like the mischief but I am getting tough now and it dont hurt so bad.

Sept 2 Dear Sister I will comence again but have nothing of interest to write. Tell Ma that I have read my bible every day since I have been here. We allso have prayers every night among the cadets and tell her that I have been every night and expect to keep it up as long as I stay here. I have looked for the last too days for a letter from home if you all knew how much I want to hear from home you would sertainly write. Sister I have been thinking all day about the nice grapes and peaches you all are having and how much I would like to be their.

Sister when you write let me know how Uncle Archer is getting along with the copperas business and tell him he must write to me. In fact I must hear from home once or twice a week any how. How are all at aunt Sarah's and [tell]. I hope the future days of her life may be spent more happily than the past. Tell Aunt Nanny Brother Jim Maurice and Jim Armistad to write to me and to let me know whether Cousin Nanny is with you. Give my love to all of the above named and kiss dear Aunt Nanny a dozen times for the nice ring she gave me. Tell dear Papa & Mama that I am going to do all I can for my own [interest] as well as for theirs. What a gods blessing it is to have two such dear parents as they are.

Kiss Ma and tell her that I hope god may bless her and all the rest of you. Tell Papa that I will try and do all I can. Kiss Mag and Mary and my love to John. Good by dear sister with love to all your affctionate Bro Kent. Write soon.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards arrival at VMI and cadet life.

Transcription

Dear Papa I have been intending to write to you for several days but thought I would wait a day or two so that if I wanted anything from home I could write for them and very well I did as I want you to send me the books with the following names: Bolmar's Levizack's French Grammar & Penney & Badois Practical French grammar & Dictionary Modern and Ancient geography & atlas Smiths & Dukes Arithmetic as it will be a great help to me in studying Algebra. They have always had books here until this year and I don't no why they have not gotten them this year. Tell Ma to send me my gray Roundybout as we will not get our uniform for a month yet and perhaps more.

I reckon you think I spend half my time writing but I think so much of home and the dear ones there that I cannot help writing. I would give so much to see you all to day. Tell Brother Jim and sister that they must not give out their trip to Natural Bridge this fall as it would disappoint me very much.

I am rooming now with Rough Griffin son of Dr. G of Salem and like him very much. About one half of the boys here are very nice boys the other half are perfect rowdies. When you write let me know how you are getting along on the farm and whether uncle Archer has heard from his horse and write me how Nanny looks. Pleas don't let any one hack her about.

We are not regularly started with our studies yet will get straight by next week. I received Sisters letter last week the other day and was delighted to hear from home & to hear that Grandpapa & Uncle M had improved so much. Give my best love to uncle M. & Aunt Liz when you see them and tell them that I regretted not seeing them very much. What horse will Jimmy Armistead get.

Tell Sister I have been on guard twice once on police and once on fatigue. I don't mind police guard much as I don't have to stand long at a time but fatigue guard is very hard duty. You have to stand 2 hours at a time and then you are off 4 and [on] 2. You are put on guard one morning at 6 and come off the next at 6 but that exempts you from drill or any other Military duty and from your studies also but I will not have to go on that kind of guard for a month yet. The other kind of guard does not exempt you from any duty whatever.

Please send me the papers when you send the books as I have only heard that there was a battle at Manassas and one in Kentucky and that is all I know about it. I have made on Algebra this week 10 1/2 3 being the highest mark and I missed one day the day I was on fatigue guard. I consider the mark very good as I never studied algebra before and don't understand how to work by letters. I don't know what I got on my other studies as our marks were not read out to us in French and geography but I hope and trust that they are good. I would like to do well here as it is such a great thing for one to do well here.

They say no one can get a furlough here unless they have been here 6 months. 6 months sounds longer to me now than 12 years did before. It is a sad thought to me to think of 6 months. Write me all the news when you write as I don't hear a word now. Tell uncle Archer to write to me and let me know how much copperas he is making a day. Write me how everything is going on the farm. Tell brother Jim I will write to him next but he must not [want] to receive one before he writes. Is he gaining his strength rapidly or not. Tel him that the Bridge will pay any one for coming to see it. I didn't have time to look at it well I only stopped long enough to get my breakfast.

I feel very sick at my stomach every morning getting up so soon and drilling an our before breakfast. We get up at five and go down to roll call having from 3 to 5 minutes to dress and roll up and strap our beds. We go to tattoo at half past 9 and the roll is called again then we have half an our to fix down our beds and undress. Tell Ma I all ways take time in that half our to read my bible. Then the lights are tapped out and if there be light burning after the drum quits beating the orderly of the room gets 5 or 10 demerits for it & one of the boys in the room are made orderly every week and is responsible for any noise made in it and if any noise should be made in the room during study hours the orderly is reported for it and gets from 3 to 5 demerits for it or if any thing in the room should be out of order or out of place the orderly is reported for it. The inspectors of rooms visits 3 to 6 times a day.

Give my love to all at Cousin [H ---] and at aunt Sarah's. You all must write often. Give my best love to all at home. I remain as ever your attached son, Kent.

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

Transcription

Virginia Military Institute. Sept 28, 1862

Dear Aunt I have been intending to write to you but have been waiting to hear from home but as today is Sunday and in the afternoon and I cannot spend my time more profitably I will try to write to you knowing at the same time that I have nothing that will interest you.

Tell Bro Jim that I received the books & have sold them already & I had bought them from the first class men before they reached here. I wish he had sent a dozen copies of French Grammar as it would be a great recommendation to the boys to get them and I could sell every copy for two $ apiece. When you write ask him whether there were any more copies there or not and at what they can be bought for.

Dear Aunt I had intended to write you a tolerable long letter but night came before I thought it would tis now after supper and the study drum will soon beat and as I want some things from home I will just change the subject & write for what I want. Tell Pa my gray jacket, 2 order me a pair of shoes as I have drilled so much since I have been here that they are nearly worn out and General Smith says that it is impossible for him to furnish shoes and the reason I write for my jacket is that there is at least 100 boys to get there uniforms before me and my coat will not be decent to wear to church and if any one is not dressed decently at church roll call they get 5 demerits for it and send my old overcoat as it is pretty cold here at 5 o'clock in the morning and standing guard at night.

You will please tell Ma to send them as soon as possible. Tell Papa if he has not succeeded in getting Maurice to some good school to send him here as they have a class here that he is perfectly qualified to join and any one is obliged to study some here to get along at all. There are some boys here as small as John but they are older than I am. There is scarcely a boy in school that is not older than I. I would let you know how I stand in my class if I could see the section marcher I would let you know how I stand in my class. I will let you know next time.

Dear Aunt the study drum has beat and I must close. Give my love to all at Edgehill and cousin Fannies & [Hues]. I have been thinking of you all day. The Misses Baxters send there love. Good by. Kiss Ma for me I remain you attached nephew Kent

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

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Virginia Military Institute October the 5th 1862

My own Darling Mother I commenced writing to you this Morning before Church but whilst I was gone the wind blew over the ink stand and blotted the writing out. I write to you to day for 3 reasons, 1st because I cannot be bet employed, 2ly because I will not have time next week and 3ly because I will have a good opportunity to sent it & I have no stamps. I wish you would send me some when you write as we are not allowed to go up town to get them. I am called off now to say my bible lesson; will finish when I return. I have just returned and said a very good Lesson. In fact there was not a boy in the whole class that missed a single word.

Ma I am getting along very well in every thing and I am doing admirably on Geography and French but algebra is very hard to me. Some of the examples take at least 3 hours to work them. I haven't more than 1/2 an our recitation during the whole day. We get up at 5 in the morning and go to rev {reveille} and come back and wash and then we go to drill at half past 5 and drill until 7; we go to breakfast at half past and get back at 8; we have to get our algebra then until we go to the section room at 9; we come out at 10, have an our to get geography, go in to recite at 11 and come out at 12. From that time until 10 minutes to one we have to get our French; we go to dinner at 1 and come from at half past; we have from then until 2 for recreation and from then until 3 to prepare our French; we come out of the section room at 4 and then go to drill and drill until 5. We go to dress parade then and come off a quarter to 6; we then have 15 minutes to carry our guns up stairs and wash and black our shoes for evening parade; when is over at half past and then we are marched to supper and stay until 7; we go in the prayer room at 7 and come out at half past; we have from then until 8 to clean up the room for inspection; from then until half past 9 we have for study hours; from then until 10 to put down our beds and in this half our I all ways read my Bible. The lights are then tapped out.

My dear mother I have done all that I could do since I have been here to study and I think I have succeeded very well. Tell Maurice I received his letter and will write to him next time. He said that bro Jim was going to the army this month some time. What division is he going to, I hope he is going back to Jackson's army and if he does tell him he must be sure to come this way. I hate to think of his going to the army again. I think he has done his share. He said in his letter to me that he was still week {weak} and had not gained much flesh, hope he has by this time. If he has not I hope you will not let him go to the army. Tell him that I will expect another letter from him yet.

There was 6 boys expelled from here yesterday and there will be at least 12 or 15 shipped tomorrow evening. Give my love to all at Edgehill and cousin H. Write me how Nannie looks and let me know whether or not she paces and how does pa like his mules. Write me what is going on on the place. you all must not expect me to answer your letters. I am much better satisfied here now than I ever was before. You all must write very often. I will send this letter by Mr. Callwell. Did uncle Archer ever get his house back that was stolen from him.

I must close as it is nearly time for evening parade. We never have any other military duty on Sunday evening and only inspection of arms in the morning. My love to Uncle Archer and tell him to write. Love to all at cousin Fannies, good by. My love to all kiss dear little Mary and May and tell Mary I wish I could have the pleasure of kissing her bless her sweet little sole. I wish I had time to write more. I stand about 2 in geography and 3 in French and 7 on Math the shortest lesson that we have had since I have been here, 10 pages, the others are between that and 20. Good by and believe me as ever your attached son Kent

P.S. Tell Maurice & John to study hard and Arithmetic especially. My love to all the servants I remain your attached son, Kent.

Scope and Contents

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

Transcription

VMI. Oct 20th, 1862

My own darling Mother I reckon you all feel a little uneasiness not having heard from me for so long. I have been sick in the hospital since Tuesday morning. Dr. says I am improving. I have had an attack bilious fever am so weak that it has been quite an effort for me to write this much but knowing that you would be uneasy I thought I would try write this much. The boy comes to take it to the office. I remain your attached son Kent

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Langhorne's health.

Transcription

Virginia Military Institute November the 2nd 1862

My own Darling Mother I have been intending writing you ever since I came out of the Hospital but I have had as much as I could do ever since. I have been so weak that I have not attended to any military duty yet and don't think I will be strong enough for a week yet. I am still taking medicine. I could get a furlough at any time but I would loose so much time from my class that I thought I had better stay here but if I don't gain my strength more rapidly I will apply for a furlough and come Home and stay for a week or 10 days. You have no idea dear Mama how much I want to see you all at home. It makes me all most cry to think about Home and the dear ones their. Some of the boys seem perfectly satisfied here but I will all ways want to see home.

I have been attending to my academic duties since Tuesday and the lessons are very hard to me indeed. I don't know what I made on my studies last week but I expect I made very poor ones as I lost so much time whilst I was in the Hospital. I will have to study very hard to keep up with my class. I don't know when I will stand head in my class again. I mean to devote most of my time to my Mathematics as that is the main study here. I hope you have written to sister that I was well enough to attend to my studies again. Tell brother Jim I will answer his letter the first chance I have. Tell Pa that I will write to him shortly. I forgot last time I wrote to Maurice and directed it to Papa.

Ma I want you to be sure to send me a box by the cars to Lynchburg and from there by packet. Write to Uncle D when you send it and he will have it put on the packet and then I will be sure to get it. The cloth has come for our uniforms at last and I hope we will get them soon. Sister spoke of my wearing the Jacket that Aunt Sarah gave me, the reason was that it was so narrow across the breast that I got reported 2 for not holding my shoulders back and I quit wearing it. The Jacket and overcoat you sent me have been quite a treat to me as it has been very cold since you sent it. You said the jacket was not nice enough there are any quantity that are 60 times worse than mine.

There is a young Fleming in the hospital that may die at any minute. If he dies here it will be the 4th cadet that has died here in 21 years. I think that very few. I hope and trust that this poor fellow may live yet but he is just as low as he can be to live. Every body has gone to church and I feel very lonesome and home sick. The sick are not allowed to go out of Barracks and to the Hospital morning & evening.

Give my love to all at Edgehill & Cousin Hues. Kiss May and Mary for me and let me know whether the instruct[ions] has come or not.

This is the 3 {November 3} That poor fellow that I spoke of being so sick in the Hospital died yesterday evening about 5 oclock. He is laid out in one of the Society Halls. Just to think a week ago that Dr. Madison thought that I was the sickest one in the Hospital and he poor Fellow is gone and I am yet spared. It makes the cold chills run over me to think of it.

Tell Uncle Archer that the Druggist says he will take some copperas and said he would let me know to day how much he would take. I will write to him as soon as I hear how much to send. Ma this is all the Ink I have or I would not write with it. I wish you all would write oftener from home.

The Corps Has just been called out and all Military and Academic duty suspended for today and I reckon tomorrow as he will be buried tomorrow. In fact we had some little difficulty this morning about some of the academic duties. The First Classmen held a meeting and refused to recite and then all of the classes refused and they appointed a committee to visit the Superintendent and he suspended all duty for the day.

I will answer Brother Jim's letter in a day or two if I have time. Write me how every thing is going on on the place and how the lame horses are getting along. Write me how the carriage horses look and how Nannie and Annie look. I would like to see how every thing is going on the farm now. What kind of speculation did Maurice make on his chestnuts and what does John do with himself now does he do any thing or not.

Scope and Contents

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

Transcription

Virginia Military Institute Nov the 10th 1862

Dear Bro I received your letter some week or 10 days ago and would have answered it sooner time ago but have been waiting to hear from home. I have not heard a word from home for 2 weeks. I have not a word of news to write you. I suppose I wrote you about the death of young Fleming, he died a week ago yesterday. Whilst his dead body was in the House we had no duty to attend to Academic or Military. The Corps was turned out on Tuesday to bury him but his Bro came from Staunton on the Stage and carried his body home. The Corps marched a mile after the hearse, then we were halted & Major Ship detailed on 4 Pall bearers & sent them on to Staunton with his corpse.

As we only had 3 more days that week to attend to duty & 3 being the highest mark I was the maximum & I only made [5..] the worst mark on math I have made since I have been here. I went to the board this morning had this example given me. The hour & minute hands of a watch show the time of day to be 24 minutes past 3 oclock, at what time will they come together. You are only allowed 1 minute to demonstrate. I couldn't work it and then I asked him Pro Miller to work it out and explain it and took him minutes to work it and I told him he ought not to mark me on an example that I only had a minute as I knew he had been 5 and he said he would not mark me on it but told me to come round to his room that night & he would show me how to work it. Tis night now and time for me to go.

Tomorrow is the 23rd anniversary of the VMI and by the way I have a good piece of news to tell you. The Beef Sergeant has bought 40 odd turkeys for dinner tomorrow and we have for dessert Pies. They generally fire a salute with cannon but the powder is so scarce that they will not fire one but their is a piece of bad news with it, the old cadets are going to buck every Rat in Barracks {Barracks} tomorrow. They have had regular committees taking down all their names & my name came under that head. Bro Jim I have been scuffling and my hand trembles so that cannot write and so much excited that you must excuse all mistakes.

I wrote to Papa some time ago about some shoes and he never wrote me a work about them & General Smith says he cannot and will not furnish us shoes and I am nearly barefooted and If Ma has not sent me the box pleas send me a pair in it. Pleas excuse this poorly written letter. I will try and do better next time. Love to All at Edgehill & Cousin Hues. Kiss Mama and the two children, love to all. I remain as ever your attached Bro Kent

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the death of Cadet Fleming and general cadet life.

Transcription

Virginia Military Institute Nov the 16th 1862

Dear Ma I received your letter a day or too ago and was so sorry to hear of the death of poor Henry. He is quite a loss to Papa I don't know what he will do without him & Mr. Peyton poor man was killed. I feel so much for poor old Mrs. Peyton. I did not understand what you said about Mr. Dabney.

I went to Preaching this morning and the Preacher wants the people here to cut up their carpets to make blankets for the soldiers. They are going to give the carpets in the aisles of the churches here to them. Ma I want you to buy one of Aunt Lees Linsey dresses most suitable to line my overcoat with as we can get nothing thicker than osenburgs to line them with and we have to give the biggest kind of price for it. Send me a piece of home made soap to wash my feet with. If you have started the box you needn't trouble your self about them.

Tell Maurice I will answer his letter next Saturday. He had better buy as many chestnuts as he can if he can buy them low and sell them. They are selling here at 50 cts a quart. I want to write to Aunt this evening so I must stop. My love to all at cousin Hues. Kiss Mag and Mary, love to all both White & black. I remain your affectionate son Kent

PS My Math is as much as I can possibly master & some of the examples more. Kent.

Scope and Contents

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

Transcription

VM Institute Nov the 23 1862

Dear Papa I hate to write to you today as I have been put in a lower section in Math. I commenced this letter yesterday and my heart was touched to the very core to think of telling you that I had been put in a lower section & As Professor Miller did not do me justice about it I went to see him about it and he looked at my marks before I went in the Hospital and found that I stood 3 in the section on Marks & I told him that I had not had time to get the rules that the boys had gone over whilst I was in the Hospital and that If I new the rules I could keep up. He gave me a lesson in the rules & I hope now to take a higher position in my section than I ever have held yet.

Tuesday the 11th was the 23 anniversary of Institute & All duties were suspended & the day commenced as follows. The old Cadets hung & bucked every new cadet or rather Rats as they call us in Barracks. They got up between 4 & 5 and tried to catch us in bed but we new something was out and we were up as soon as they. We had turkeys Ham & Rice for dinner. The Beef Sergeant bought 40 odd turkeys for dinner & there is not more than 225 boys here and we ate them all up & every thing else in proportion.

Tell Uncle Archer I saw Mell yesterday. She says she wants 2 Winter dresses, says someone stole the only thick dress she had, says the Captain of the boat says he wants her next year, says he can get the money for her hire now if he wishes. She told me this yesterday and asked me to write to him.

I am getting rather tired of guard duty as I have to go on 1 every week & stand 3 hours guard at night 1/2 or 3/4 in the day besides having to march on & off. I have gotten 27 demerits but have only 3 Academic reports, some of the others are incorrect and a good many that I can get of[f] with by writing excuses. One of the reports that I got 11 demerits for nearly half of which I have gotten was giving notice that the inspector was visiting which I think I can get off with it as the sentinels on post had all ways given notice to us that the Inspector was visiting and it was 2 or 3 time I was on post and I thought it was my duty to give them notice. I haven't time to write more as I have to get ready for church. Good by, love to all both white & black , remain your Attached son, Kent.

PS love to all at Edgehill. Mell told me yesterday that Emily told her that Will H was wounded is it so or not, love to cousin Milly & Hues, K.

Scope and Contents

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

Transcription

Virginia Military Institute December the 20th, 1862

My Own Dear Mother I received your letter a day or two since and have been very uneasy about Maurice ever since as you said you had to give him food or nourishment every hour. I went to Gen Smith and carried him a copy of Papa's letter to him and tried to get a furlough but he would not let me have one. I never wanted to come home so much in my life as now. I will certainly know how to appreciate the comforts & pleasures at home when I get there. You could send me a box by Bonsacks but you must not do it you have two much trouble now to think of me or boxes either. My roommates will get boxes and they will share with me.

We los[t] another one of our most promising fellow cadets yes, the very flower of them all, young Preston son of Col P. professor of the Institute. He was the most perfect young Christian I ever saw. He had just been lingering for the last 7 weeks all most all the time out of his head. He was more generally beloved by all that knew him than any on I ever saw.

I have not gotten my Shoes yet on account of the River being frozen up. I wrote to sister whilst she was in Lynchburg to give Uncle Daniel some money to get me a pair of skates. I hope she got the letter before she left. I want you to send me some money by Christmas as there will be several Tableaux and a gymnasium performance for the benefit of the soldiers and I would like to go to them. There has been one all ready and the boys are up town at another to night. I have not been to either because I had no money and do not want to be disappointed again.

Ma when they all get well at home I want you to send me a couple a pair of white gloves as we are not allowed to wear any but white ones and I cannot keep one pair clean and tis so cold to hold a cold still gun in your hand at night. I wrote a note in one of aunt Sarah's letters to you to get me some linsey to line my overcoat with as we can get nothing but cotton cloth. I have gotten my jacket & pants which are very comfortable.

Give my love to all at Edgehill & cousin Hues. I have not time to write more now as it is nearly time for Tattoo and as I am orderly I have to go for a bucket of water for morning. Ma I never knew how much I loved you all until now.I have been separated from you. Some one of you must write me every week, you would if you knew how much pleasure it affords me to receive one from any of you. Tell Brother Jim I think he might write to me oftener than he does. I was looking over the letters I received since I have been here and every one has written oftener than he.

Kiss May & Mary for me, tell Maurice I will answer his letter as soon as I can. Pleas send me some stamps as I have to borrow one to send this. Love to all white and black. [Good] night your devoted son J. Kent L.

I hope all are better & your mind is not so much troubled.

Scope and Contents

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

Transcription

Virginia Mil Institute January the 2nd 1863

My Own dear Parents I commenced writing to you yesterday & wrote upon unruled paper and it was written so indistinctly that I was afraid you could not read it and I determined to write it over. I cannot express my thanks in writing for the nice box you sent me also for the 10$ you sent me for Xmas gift.

The examination commences today. I think I will get through very well if I do not get confused, but as I was never examined in public before. I feel all most certain that I will get through on Geography & French. If they examine me by asking me questions I don't think I will get through but if he gives me examples I think I will get through on Math. I am determined to commence this year by doing my duty as well as I can in every thing.

We only had one day Christmas and I was very glad of it. I thought of home so that I did not enjoy my self Xmas day. I was thinking all day about the deaths of poor Henry & Elsy and about the sickness at home since I left. Things will be so much altered when I get home so I cannot enjoy myself at all. There is no enjoyment to be seen now no how.

Lexington has done more for the soldiers than any place I know for the size of it. They gave nearly 5 hundred carpet blankets to them besides giving 3 theatrical performances & the cadets gave a kind of Negro show for their benefit. The show given by the cadets cleared 3 hundred dollars. The ladies made about 600 hundred dollars in all of their performances.

I was invited to the Misses Baxters Monday night to tea and was introduced to 4 young ladies. I was never as much confused in my life as I was when they entered the room. I had been in the house nearly an hour when they came in and I was not expecting them atall as I had been there so long. We had a splendid supper, had muffins, chipped ham, biscuit, tea & coffee, [p--]. I did not enjoy myself much as they were all perfect strangers to me.

Tell Uncle Archer if he has not hired out all of the servants yet that General Smith would like to get 3 of them for waiters in the hall and will give $175 for them and you cloth them. They would not be exposed at all as all they have to do is to wait in the Hall. Write to me soon and let me know how Maurice and [Tru] are getting. I was so glad to hear that Maurice is entirely out of danger. When he was so sick and I did not hear from home for so long and I tried to get a furlough and couldn't get one I thought I would desert several times. I hope he is well enough to walk about now. Tell him I will answer his letter next. Give my best love to Aunt Sarah and thank her for the nice ham she sent me. Tell her that I answered her letter as soon as I received it and have not heard a word from her since. Tell Molly I think she might write to me some time. When you write again send me some stamps as we cannot get any here.

I have just been examined on Geography and got through with out a blunder. Write and let me know whether the two lame horses will ever be any account & how Nanny is looking. I would like to take the Lynchburg Virginian this year as I never hear any news here at all. Tis nearly time for dress parade and I want to put this in the male tonight. Give my love to Miss Laura when you see her. Good by I remain your attached son, Kent.

I cannot write often and you must not wait for me to write. Tell Sister she must write twice to my once. Kent.

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the Christmas holiday and cadet life.

Transcription

South Side James R Opposite Columbia May 4th 1863

Dear Mama I commence this letter not knowing when & where I can mail it. We left Orange C.H. on the 1 and started to Spotsylvania C.H. where we heard our army was. We hadn't gone far from Orange CH before we met with a squad of Yankee Cavalry which made us leave the road and go to the woods. They then pursued us a mile or two where we lost sight of them. We then came to the road leading to Richmond to the right of the central railroad where we camped for the night.

We got up the next morning and went out of the woods to the railroad where we came to a company of about 50 or 60 men tearing up the railroad. They saw my white horse. Just we turned back and 2 of them pursued us about a mile when we came to a halt and when they came up in sight we rode towards them then they ran back about a mile up the main road. We then met some citizens who had just left Louisa CH where the Yankees were tearing up the track and were coming towards James R. We then came on to Columbia and tried to cross the river but there were so many people to cross that we could not have gotten over in time to have made our escape.

I and Mr. Lee went out to watch them approach. We had been out about 3 hours & 1/2. About 11 oclock in the night when their advanced guard of about 100 men came up we went and gave information to the Citizens. We then started down the tow path towards Richmond. Had gone about 2 miles and and were right upon them before we heard any thing from them.

I thought then I would be a prisoner in 10 minutes but we crossed the small part of James R and got over on the Island and happened to come to a mans private ferry who got us over and saved us from their mercy. They have burned all the bridges over the canal and all the barns and stables and every thing like food on the other side of the River from here. They tried to destroy the aqueduct over the Rivanna but did not succeed. They shot a young man over the river yesterday 3 times and then cut his head off and rolled him in the canal right before his mother & Fathers eyes. I am right well. Love to all. I will right as soon as I can again, I am your attached son, Kent.

Scope and Contents

Written from "South Side James" River. Letter regards troop movements.

Transcription

Ashland, May 8th/63

Dear Papa I wrote to Ma from Columbia but as there was no regular mail from there I write to let you know that I am well and I am now [illegible] this Yankee scout and will get to the Regiment to day or soon in the morning if they do not move from where they are now. We crossed the river at Columbia at about 5 oclock Saturday night and they came in between 5 & 8 on Sunday. We were in side of there lines 3 or 4 times. I have learned how to retreat but not to advance. I haven't time to write more. Love to all. I remain Your attached son, Kent.

Scope and Contents

Written from Ashland, Virginia. Letter regards troop movements.

Transcription

Orange CH May 11th 1863

Dear Papa I saw Tip Griffin yesterday who told me that you were very uneasy about me. I got to the Regt Saturday the 9 and would have written yesterday but the mail was carried off before I new it. I wrote to you once from Columbia and again at Ashland. Tell Ma I am a better hand to take care of my self than she thought. I flanked the Yankees until I got across the James R. and please don't be so uneasy about me in the future.

[Col] M & Judge say that they think it best for me to join the Wise Troop for three very good reasons. 1 that Capt. Steptoe is willing to take me in his mess. 2 you can get nearly twice as much for your horse to eat as a general thing in a small Company than you can in a large & when they issue corn you get a bag for each company and if the company is small you get as much more. 3 and best reason you will fare better in that line your self. You can buy any thing you want from the government at their price with his consent.

The mail is about to leave and I must close. Love to all the family & Cousin Kate. Direct your letter to Orange CH.

Scope and Contents

Written from Orange, Virginia. Letter regards Langhorne joining the "Wise Troop."

Transcription

Culpeper C H May 18th, 1863

Dear Sister I received Mamas letter two or three days ago and received yours and cousin Kate's yesterday. I have had quite a nice time since I have been in camp. I have made the acquaintance of a good many nice officers. Capt Steptoe is one of the nicest gentleman I ever saw and is so kind to me. I understand that Floods & Pickets divisions are camped near here & Jones, Imboden, Hampton, Jenkins and W.H. Lee are and in fact all our cavalry forces are here. We expect to leave here for some unknown point in a day or two. I shall try and fill your memorandum if possible. I don't intend to write long letters to you when you have nothing to do and write short ones. Judge is here and sends his love. I will write to Ma in a day or two. Never forget to mention bro Jim in your letters. I will write to him soon. Love to all. I am your Bro, Kent.

Dear Cousin I received your two very short notes and regret to write as I have nothing in the world to write. I have not seen your Bro yet. I shall give him your memorandum in full and shall tell him not to apply for a furlough until he hears from you. Forbear he may not get another in time especially if you are in as big a hurry as cousin Nannie R. I shall try to get the veil and dress. What cotton will you have it. The paper is unruled on the other side and I cant write on my knee. Judge sends love and speaks of you very often. I am your attached cousin, Kent.

I shall expect to hear from you all often but you mustn't look for letters from me more than every 2 weeks.

Scope and Contents

Written from Culpepper, Virginia. Letter regards life at camp.

Transcription

Camp Near Culpeper CH May 19th 1863

Dear Mama I wrote to sister yesterday and write this morning because Col. M. wishes to enclose a letter in mine. I have had no trouble in having my clothes washed so far. I want you to send me the receipts for making buns those sweet roles you use to make as we have no use for our sugar, and how to cook potatoes cut up under meat and to fry them. I like camp life so far very much. All the cavalry forces we have are concentrated near hear except Robertson who we are looking for every day. I hear that Gen. Beauregard is to take charge of Jackson Corps. God has certainly taken a great man from us. No one hear thinks that his place can be filled.

Maggie is looking nearly as well now as when I left. I never knew a horse to become as much attached to any one in my life. I have been offered $800 for her several times. Tell uncle Archer if Pa is not at home to know what Mr. Billy Barwell will take for his brown horse and if he will take $500 for him to let me know as Capt Steptoe wants a horse and cannot get one at any price. There is no news. Never forget to mention him in your letters and tell him to try and get well. Tell Sister & cousin K I don't want such short letters. Love to all. I am your attached son, Kent.

[The following letter from Col. (later Brigadier General) Thomas T. Munford, VMI Class of 1852, was enclosed in Langhorne's letter]

Hd Qts 2 Va Cav May 18th, 1863

My dear Mrs. Langhorne I received your kind note by Kent and will send a few lines in reply in his letter to you. After giving Kent an opportunity of seeing the Regt I recommended him to join the Wise Troop, now commanded by Capt Wm Steptoe who promised me to take Kent into his mess with him. I consider him second to no man in my Regt. In every way a gentleman he looks after his men & sees their wants are supplied. Your noble boy I am sure will do well and you may rest assured that any assistance that I can give him will be cheerfully rendered. If he needs anything at any time I will see that he is provided for. [For the] cavalry have to carry all they have on their horses and have but few wants.

I think we will have an active campaign and hope the vandals may soon be driven across the Potomac again. With my kindest regards to Mr Langhorne, Lizzie & all of the little ones believe me very truly Your friend Thomas T. Munford

Scope and Contents

Written from Culpepper, Virginia. Letter regards life at camp. Also included is an enclosure from Thomas T. Munford (VMI Class of 1852) to Margaret L. Kent.

Transcription

Camp Near Culpeper CH June 1st 63

Dear Papa I received your letter a day or two ago and have commenced to answer it once or twice but was interrupted. I had my mare valued at 650$. My arms have not cost me a cent. One of the men gave me a rifle captured at Chancellorsville and I drew a pair of pistols from ordnance wagon which I will return as soon as I can capture one. I bought a saber for 3$, the best one I have seen. Capt Steptoe sends his regards to you. He has just ordered us to strike tents and I have to close. Let me know when Jimmy Langhorne is coming. Love to all, I remain your attached son, Kent.

Send me some stamps. J Kent.

Scope and Contents

Written from Culpepper, Virginia. Letter regards life at camp.