VMI Feb 17th 1862

Dear Father I received your letter today and hasten to reply. I am fourth section fourth class in Mathematics & the first section fourth class in Geography & the eight section fourth class in French. I recite only three times in one day. All of the cadets board at the Institute. We have a large hall about 50 yards from the Institute in which we eat in. We have to go to our meals in ranks, and are allowed twenty minutes to eat in. We have molasses & beef for dinner & supper & bread & butter for breakfast. We have only one drill a day from 4 to 5 o'clock in the evening. They are not as strict as I expected they would be. The rules of the Institute are that no cadet shall go up to Town except on Saturday's and if any are caught up there at night, they will be sent home immediately. And that no cadet shall drink any Liquors of any kind upon pain of being dismissed, thus they shall go to church every Sunday & the rules strictly prohibits the use of tobacco in any way. Cousin Tom sent me $52 and said that he received a letter from you saying that he should send it to me. I have bought what I want and have about $40 dollars which I will send to you or pay to Genl. Smith if you wish me to do so. I wrote to Capt. Coles about the remainder of my pay and he wrote back to me that he was going to Pittsylvania in a few days and would see you about it. The cadets held a meeting to day and offered their services to Gov. Letcher either as drillmasters or to go in the field. We expect to be ordered out next month. I have not drank anything since I have been here. I came here with the determination not to drink and I don't intend to do it as long as I remain here. There has been a good many cadets sent home for getting drunk. I saw Jno Hunt in Richmond as I came on here. Has he been exchanged yet, he told me that he would be exchanged for Lieut. Gordon but I have not heard whether he was exchanged or not. I wrote to Mother a day or two ago. I intend to write to Wm. tomorrow if I have time. Love to all. Write soon. Yr obdt. son T.B.T.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses VMI's daily academic routine, the food served to cadets (beef, molasses, bread, and butter), regulations, and mentions that the cadets have offered their services to Governor John Letcher.