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Virginia Military Institute Archives
VMI ArchivesPreston Library
Lexington, VA 24450
Business Number: 540-464-7516
archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions
Preferred Citation
Moncure Family papers, 1809-1953. MS 0468. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of letters and other documents to and from various members of the Moncure Family, who have a long association with VMI. Included is a letter (dated September 19, 1849) from Cadet Thomas J. Moncure (VMI Class of 1853) to his father, William A. Moncure.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Moncure family
- Virginia Military Institute—Alumni—Biography
- Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849
- Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1853
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Moncure, Thomas J. (Thomas Jefferson), 1832-1912
Container List
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards arrival at VMI and cadet life.
Dear Pa: I will commence a few lines to you though I have very little to relate in them. You cannot expect much as I wrote to Ma a day or 2 ago and related my travels to the Springs. I have enjoyed splendid health since I've been here and better in the last two or three days than in my life before except when I am home at work.
The Board [VMI Board of Visitors] have been here a week. They inspected our rooms today. Col. Smith introduced them to me. Gen. Richardson enquired about you, though I could tell him nothing as I had not heard from you since I left home. I am very anxious to hear from you all, answer this as soon as you can and write word how many letters you have started to me for I have not received but one since left.
We reviewed before the Board of Visitors this evening which we succeeded very well. I entered the fourth Class as I was not far enough advanced to enter the 3rd. To enter the 3rd class you have to understand mathematicks to the equation of the 2nd degree and a part of the French grammar which I knew nothing about. So I was obliged to [enter] the fourth class.
I like this place as well as could be expected. As it is the first time I have ever left home you know that I cannot like it as well though I am very well satisfied with it. I think that I could now go through all the hard ships that any human can of our race. When I first got here I had to sleep in a very open tent and spread my blanket on the floor and cover with my comfort. I did not sleep any for two or three nights at first, but now I can't sleep on a bed. I was so that I could hardly turn over for the first week after I got here from being dragged at night through the wet grass and then having a bucket of water thrown on me and then sleeping in my wet shirt all night. I could not turn over scarcely. We are now in Barrak [Barracks] and I have enjoyed a very comfortable time. I must now draw to a close as I am geting sleepy and it is nearly time for tattoo. Your Affectionate Son, Thos. J. Moncure.