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S.C.M.A Chas. S.C.
Nov. 27, 1903
Dear Mamma & Mary:
I will have to beg your pardon for writing you a joint note but the present condition of the inner man will not warrant too great a pull on it or he would bust.
I can speak the sentiments of the room where I say we have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy (for a limited time only) the box. You could not have fixed a better box and more to my liking than you did. I have enjoyed myself immensely yesterday & today. Yesterday we had for dinner here all the turkey, ham, apples etc. All of us in our room were leaving the top bottom of our trousers open and grunting like a set of pigs.
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To cap the climax comes the box today. You know I never feel happier than when I am eating or just full. Everything in the box was in good shape when it arrived here this aft. About 4 P.M.
I asked the Officer of the Day (Gettys) and the Orderly (Kennedy, who the target medal in Rock Hill) and Roy beside occupants of Room 3.
James is writing tonight and has started off with the apology that you all responsible for all mistakes.
James and I put off going for dinner to Miss Boone’s until some day we could not get much here to eat. We had a fire drill today and we certainly kicked up a fuss. We had a exam today in Chemistry and have much to be thankful for as I got one problem that several made a mistake in. I think I should have 95 on the exam.
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I can not think of anything more to write now in my condition which is deplorable but I hope to have long letters from both of you soon.
I will close now with much love and accept many thanks and heart felt appreciation of your kindness.
Your loving son & brother,
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S.C.M.A.
Charleston, S.C. Oct 23, ‘03
Dear Mamma:
I received your newsy and timely letter Wednesday evening just before study call. The last words in your letter do not seem to be fullfilled [sic] as I am restricted tonight and will have to walk “tours” tomorrow afternoon and continue to get demerits although I am trying not to get them. I got eight last week. There are about five or six boys in “A’ Co. that are not at all satisfied with the Captain and First Sergeant but cannot help themselves as we cannot get transferred.
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I am well satisfied with everything else though. My studies are hard but by persistent efforts I am able to learn them and hope to be able to send home a better report this year.
I was sorry to hear about the death of Mrs. Mark Whittles baby.
I hope you have our feed by now. Let me know each week how the cows, chickens, dogs, puppies, and the garden are getting on as I am as much interested in them as you are.
I am glad to hear that both Bernie & Randall have places now. I may write to them sometime as I do not write to anybody except you; not even to my best girl.
That is bad about the Windsor rent but you have one thing to
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console you that we did our best and you cannot squeeze blood out of a turnip.
We may go to the Fair next week, if we go at all we will probably go next Friday morning early and stay that day only. However I will let you know about it.
Our grub gave out Tuesday night so we see a hard time now. James had jars of jam, peaches etc. Henry had canned stuff and jelly and I had preserves so we fared well while it lasted.
Bourne, the First Sergeant of “B” Co. and a boy who roomed with Bernie has left being dissatisfied with
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the place and several others are thinking of leaving.
I went to see about the vetch seed but they do not keep it here. Tell Mary to write me & tell Annie I will write her again. I will close now with much love to all, the boys wishing to be remembered, and hoping to hear from you soon,
Your loving son,
P.S. Remember me to Miss Miles & Norris also Mr. Sange & Co.
R.E.G.
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S.C.M.A. Charleston, S.C.
Oct. 12, 1903
Dear Mamma:
I received your kind and newsy letter Friday and I was certainly glad to hear from home. We have had only one light shower since I have been here but I believe the weather is warmer than at home. Saturday they made us put on winter under clothing.
I hope you have gotten the heifer by now and that you are well pleased with her. Let me know how you like her.
Did you have frost that night? I guess you will soon be gather-
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ing the potatoes at the field. I hope you have gotten your feed by now. James is the most studious boy in the room so you need have no fear he is keeping me from studying. I believe I will get along better this year but my Trigonometry & English are very hard. I put in my order Saturday for a new fatigue coat but it will not be finished before Christmas as they are very busy.
My expenses so far down here have been about $5.35; including fare, some books, collars & cuffs, Bread, etc. I hope you will come to satisfactory settlement at Windsor. I paid Mr. Fishburne but owe Mr. Boager 5 cts for bread.
I have not been to see anyone yet down here.
My speech was a great success
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as I have had a large number of congratulations although our side lost. I did not remember to go and see about the vetch Saturday but will go next Saturday as I guess I will be kept in on Friday night.
Tell Mary I met Mrs. Hartsog (mother of Henry Hartsog)on the train and she said she knew Mary also wishing to be remembered. We have a bugler here now. His name is Carsteu think. He belonged to 2nd South Carolina Regiment which went to Cuba. “Uncle Billie” told me for me to learn the Bugle calls.
We have about 45 or 46 Rats.
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here this year. Some are from all over the U.S. I have not heard any more about going to St. Louis. I will close now with much love to all. James & Henry wish to be remembered.
Your loving son,
P.S. Write soon & tell Mary & Annye to write also. Remember me to Misses Miles & Norris also the rest of the girls.
R.E.B
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S.C.M.A.
Charleston, S.C.
Oct. 6, 1903
Dear Mary, I received your late but well appreciated letter yesterday.
On account of an order by “George” Hodges had to move out as all 1st class men had to room together. We had to take in some “rat” in our room and as James was without a room we took him in. Hodges rooms with Culler & Drummond.
No. 3 is not our room particular but a set of rooms on the upper gallery extending from 2 to 13. So you see we are not the only ones.
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My studies now are, Chem. 4 times a week, French 2 times per week, English (Meyers Hist.) 3 times per week, Mil. Science twice a week, Drawing 3 times a week, Math (Trig.) every day. We still have two drills a day. I have been on guard twice and got orderly Sunday. Our bayonets and tc scabbards are very rusty as they were wrapped in salt sacks during the summer.
There are about 50 “Rats” here. I have not touched a Rat yet; not even [illegible].
James and I went around to see the Boonies Saturday night as we had leave. I have not been to see anybody else yet.
My grub has given out long ago but James has 3 jars of jam etc that we are devouring with stolen light bread.
Miss Anna’s trade was from “JB”
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about how struck with me etc. and what a good character he thought I had from manners.
Hodges sked for you & Miss Anna. Give my best to Miss Anna, Miss Norris, & Prof. Wist. I did not intend for you to send those stamps but accept thanks for them and kindly accept book with best wishes hoping you may derive much good from it. Hope you are better by now & will continue so. Hope Ryan will be better by next time and remember me to Maggie.
Remember my to all the girls and boys.
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and tell Mamma and Anie to write as soon as possible.
With love to all,
Your loving brother
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S.C.M.A
Charleston, S.C.
March 21, 1903
Dear Sister Mary,
I received your long nice, newsy & interesting letter Wednesday dinner and you may be sure it was well appreciated. I went out last night and got a Washington picture for Miss Miles. The man I got it from showed me a platinum one too of Washington & not being able to decide which of the two I liked best I got both so you can give Miss Miles either one and keep the other for yourself. I did not forget that Tuesday was St. Patrick’s day. I could not wear my sprig of green however as it would not have been allowed.
The Irish Volunteers always go to church on St. Patricks [sic] Day in a body. I heard
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their band playing The Wearing of the Green on their return from Church.
I did not know what piece it was they were playing until a Scotch boy who rooms next door told me what it was. He laughed at me about knowing it but I never had heard it. I believe that boy knows every piece of Irish & Scotch that is sung or written.
I guess as you are Pres. of W.C.T.U. you will give me a good drink of wine like a certain lady gave me Christmas. What did Mamma say to Mrs. W. about me drinking that wine?
I would be glad to see Mrs. Free and if you get a good chance I would like you to do as you proposed. I am sorry to hear the “Ebby” & “Ike” have broken up as I thought they would make it up.
Where did Mamma get her Irish potatoes from? How many is she going to plant?
I guess she got her cabbage plants from “Jeff.”
Bowman & Roy got a large box to-
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day & Henry got a box a week before I got my grub so I we have not and will not perish.
You say I must be awful big. I am not a dwarf and yet not a giant but I have fairly good dimensions for one of my age. At present I am lack just the least bit of being 5 feet 8 inches high, I weigh 140 lbs., and “last but not least” I wear No. 8 shoes. I looked at two stores last night & today for underwear and the prices there for just the common underwear are more than Mamma said for me to pay. So I did not get any.
I will close now hoping you will get this alright and hoping to hear from you, Mamma & Annie.
I remain your loving brother,
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S.C.M.A.
Charleston, S.C.
March 6, 1903
Dear Mary,
I received your letter Thursday. Please excuse paper as I have no better but will get some better soon. I remember that I forgot to thank you for asking about sending violets, I cannot thank you enough for remembering me but as we have not mantels or bureaus to place the violets on and I would have to put them in the back part of my press I would not get much fragrance and I can appreciate the intentions and the thoughtfulness of you by writing me a nice long letter. My marks are a follows French 14, Physics 11.5 & Math 10. I have not heard from English yet but those three marks give me an mark average of 11.5. My average on Math for 5 mos
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Is 7.6 so you see I am alright yet. At present I study the same French, Thwing’s Elementary Physics, West’s Elements of English Grammar & Milne’s Plane & Solid Geometry.
The Geometry is brown colored and about the size of my old Algebra. We started it Monday and in 5 days have went over nearly 20 propositions including definitions. It seems right hard but I try to study it out.
On Wednesday night on account of a fine play, Flora Dora, leave was given to the corps and out of about 60 men in our company only 7 staid [sic] in. I was among those seven. I staid [sic] in to study Geometry and reviewed what I have been over.
To be able to study longer I got 1st Sergeant and Inspector of barracks for that night so I would have a light until 11 o’clock. You see I am doing my best to make good marks. Maj. Bond teaches us Geometry.
I did not tell you about parade on the 23rd of February because I did not think it of enough importance. From after guard-mounting
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(8:25 A.M.) until 2. P.M. we had leave that day. At 2 P.M. we went into dinner and after we came out we dressed for inspection. We had to put on dress clothes & leggings. We marched out on the green about 2:45 P.M. and we together with the 3rd regiment were inspected by Adj. & Insp Gen. Frost. He was well pleased with the appearance of cadets & condition of guns of the corpt. After the inspection we led parade composed of our battalion, the Porter Cadets & 3rd regiment down King through Hasell down Meeting around East Battery where the parade was dismissed. We marched back through Broad & up Meeting.
One boy was put under arrest for smiling at a girl while he was in ranks.
Today we had the regular dress parade. You have no idea how the people turn out to see it.
When Miss Birdie comes back I want you
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me a sheet marked like this: Gribbin
A is the company and 1 A-1
is for the 1st corporal who counts our clothes. There is to be a lecture tomorrow night by Maj. J Colton Synes on “Woman”. He has lectured before on this but has been asked to lecture on it again.
I had my measure taken today for khaiki [sic] & duck. We will wear campaign hats in place of shakos.
How do like Mr. Martin? Do you like him as well as Johnny Mac?
We have studing [sic] in Grammar or at least in connection with it Phonetics. Phonetics is sure hard. Didn’t you study it at Winthrop. I do not wear my glasses except while I study. I got 1 ½ merits last week as I thought, but this week two reports have been entered against me. One was wearing soiled gloves on drill, another was not carrying piece properly on drill.
No! I did not see Mrs. Beckman. I do no go out anywhere now on Sunday evenings as I can study better for Monday then.
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There is a new Rat here from Augusta by the name of Walker. Boys or at least some of them cannot tell us apart.
You seem very solicitous about my funds and I think you must have X-Ray to be able to tell the condition of my pocket. However I thank you for asking about my funds as you surmised [sic] about right. Thank you for those stamps as they came in the right time.
Hope Mamma’s arm is better. Tell her to be sure and write whenever she can. How are the cows getting on and does Willie still carry the milk?
Remember me to the boys - and all inquiring friends.
Hoping to hear from you soon. I will close now your little brother,
P.S. When Miss Birdie comes be sure & send some grub.
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S.C.M.A.
Charleston, S.C.
Feb. 21, 1903
Dear Mamma and Mary,
I received your letters one from the Mary at Thursday dinner & one from Mamma this morning “with a check from home”. In using Mary’s words I will say it will fill up some cracks and a hungry boy. I got some tooth powder with part of it & as I have no money on my account I will get a Geometry and a Physics. So you see I make the best use of my money. I am certainly much obliged to both of you for it and also for your
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good wishes. I think we will have holiday and a dress parade Monday.
I could not get all of the pictures at one store so I went to another as you will notice a difference in Washington’s & Lincoln’s and in the rest. I could not get Jefferson Davis picture as both places had sold out of them.
I certainly never got a valentine and I believe the girls were just bluffing Mary. I enclose a list of Perry Pictures that I got from one of the Professors (Maj. Masyck).
As for the game “Flinch” I see Backville is keeping up with times in social circles for the game has not been advertised here long. How are you getting along with the nut grass? One of the boys sitting near me at the mess cut open a sweet potato and found a nut grass nut. That made me think of
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the garden home. Do you think anything is injured by the recent cold spell?
Mr. Beckwith who held meetings at the Y.M.C.A here closed Wednesday night. Tuesday night he brought Mr. Lucas up with him and it seemed so much like home to hear Mr. Lucas praying on a Tuesday night. He asked about you all. Mr. Beckwith told a good story on Mr. Lucas several days before which I will tell you all sometime.
No I do not correspond with Joe or with anybody except you all. I do not even write to “her”.
I came very near not getting out today as I was on guard and thrown out to drill for orderly. On Saturday the worst
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dressed member of the guard is given orderly. The adjutant could decide between three of us so he threw us three out to drill for it.
In the first command one of the other two made a mistake so I came out on top or at least out drilled the other fellow. Did that storm blow down any of your fences? I thought I put up one stationery strong enough to hold.
Now I want both of you to write me at at your earliest convenience and it there is anything you want me to get tell me and I will be glad to able to oblige you. Tell Annie to write soon too.
I will close now
Your loving son and brother,
“Sweet Sixteen”
much oblige [sic] for check received.
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S.C.M.A
Charleston, S.C.
Jan. 26, 1903
Dear Mary,
I received your timely and kind letter was received Saturday dinner. In regard to the debate it was a complete victory & success on our part. The judges unanimously decided in our favor while the President rendered his in favor of the opposite side but that was on account of my colleagues having been a second in a fight for the Presidents antagonist. The critic in his report thanked me for memorizing my debate & complimented me for my delivery. The President thanked me for the logical & complete manner in which I delivered my speech and also thanked me for waking up one of the censors. After the society the President came up to me and congratulated me on my speech saying that he never heard a better or one that even would come up to it in that hall. Said that the society was going down and that he believed that it would give a new start & impetus & that any time I wished to deliver a speech or recite before the society
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to do it that I would be received as already shown. The critic also afterwards said about the same. I started my regular debate as this: You might expect me if I had the eloquence & persuasive ability enough by flowing speech and glowing epithets to raise the character & standard of Alexander and on the other hand by Phillipical denunciations to lower that of Hannibal. I went on then to discuss the motive of the conquests etc. When I rose the second time, I said: I have not the oratorical powers of the “Silver Tongued Orator” or of the “Pitchfork Senator” or I am not able to make an impromptu speech like Robert Emmet yet I wish to vindicate the character of Alexander.
All of the boys had a great opinion of me know [sic] on account of my speech. They said with my glasses I looked like a sage. I could certainly have done nothing if it were not for your points. Do not say much of this outside or in your letters to me as I think H is jealous and Bowman & Roy were not down that night.
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Thursday I went to see the Doctor he said that I had scarcely any vision at all in my right eye but with the use of glasses I might be able to better it. He sent me to Allan’s to get the glasses which cost $3.00 and I will have to pay for them by next Saturday as they were not got from the Doctor himself. I do not know what the Doctor will charge himself for the examination. With the glasses I have been able to do a great deal better. I happened to be able to buy a shoe order from an old cadet who had plenty of money on account but no cash. I got the order for $3.00. But I had to buy my suspenders so you see it was not wasted, I mean the rest of the amount I was to pay for shoes. Exams will be Thursday & Friday. Physics & French on Thursday & Math & History on Friday. There will be three courses here next year. Scientific, Literary,
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and Civil Engineering course.
The earthquake was also felt here. It shoved our press out from the wall. I did not go to see Miss Saurence yesterday or Sunday before as I had to study yesterday & Sunday before I was excused church and could not go on leave.
I will close now with much love from your brother,
P.S. Do not forget to tell Mamma I will have to pay for the glasses next Saturday.
R.E.G.
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S.C.M.A
Charleston, S.C.
Jan. 16, 1903
Dear Mary,
I received your letter yesterday morning also those points and you may be sure I appreciate both. I think the points are fine and I will have the Senior Captain (Williard) on my side. He is one of the best speakers in school and with your points I am sure we will win. Our meeting for tomorrow night is postponed until the following Saturday night as our society is going to a lecture in the Chapel
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given by the Polytechnic Society.
I hope Mamma will be able to make a suitable & profitable disposal of Bessie.
Let me know the result of the dime reading and if you recited also who were there. Just to think while I am writing this letter penned up in this hole probably you and many others are enjoying the evening.
I wonder how it is “Mrs Shakum” is taking milk again. Let me know if you are selling much milk and if trade is as good as usual.
Has Mamma got her interest money yet & will you get
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paid for those two weeks holiday? Who cuts wood now? You I guess. Eh!
Have you seen any of the girls or “Sweet” and have they sent any messages? Henry gets some sweet ones. What is the general opinion about the shooting of Gowsales.
Now I will tell you about my eyes which worries you all about as much as it does me. I have been treated by the assistant Surgeon under the supervision of Dr. F.S. Parker. They say that the granulations have about disappeared but my eyes still worry me and it seems worse than ever last night as today was the first day I have had to be excused recitations. Accordingly I am to go to Dr. Ed Parker (the finest eye doctor in the city) to let him see if anything is the matter with the vision. It may cost something and it may not but I guess it is best to go for I can hardly do anything the way it is. What did Dr. Gyles charge? I will let you know as soon as possible the result of the examination. The boy from Georgetown that made so low was shipped yesterday.
(next two sentences circled)
Do not read this aloud. Please send a little change and stamps if can spare either.
With much love I will close with lots of love to all. Tell Mamma & Annie to write soon as convenient and you be sure and do the same.
Your loving brother,