Letter to Lemuel Chenoweth, 1857

Scope and content:

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

Language:

English.

Other descriptive data:

V.M.I.

Dear Father

I hope that Mother is not dangerously ill, and am pleased to learn that my surviving brothers and sisters are enjoying those blessings, which health always confers upon those who are so fortunate as to escape the "ills that flesh is heir to." I received Mothers letter written just after John's death and answered it. I can not divine how it is that she did not receive my answer to that letter. I also received Mary's letter, (the one in which she speaked of your illness)and as well as I recollect, I am pretty certain that I answered it, and expressed my solicitude for your recovery.

Accept my thanks for the $10 note enclosed in your letter. It is a nice Christmas gift and I will not forget your kindness should fortune smile upon me in future. Give my love to Mother, Mary, Harriet, Chris, Taylor, Ella, Blanche, & the baby. Tell Mother to write to me soon. I need not tell you that I was relieved of a great deal of anxiety when I received your letter and learned that you had recovered. I had not received a letter from home for so long, that I really thought that something dreadful had happened. Tell Mary to write soon. I have the manuscript of my speech (11th) and will bring it home with me next July. Our question was, "Which form of government is best -- adapted to the present state of society -- the Monarchical or Republican?" I was on the [illegible] is the Republican side, write soon

Your Affectionate Son

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859
Correspondence

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