Letter from James C. Fanning to his family, October 13, 1949
Title
Letter from James C. Fanning to his family, October 13, 1949
Description
James C. Fanning, Class of 1953, wrote these letters to his family during his four years as a cadet at The Citadel.
Audio recording by Kyle Ballinger, Citadel Archives intern, summer 2020.
Audio recording by Kyle Ballinger, Citadel Archives intern, summer 2020.
Creator
Source
A2013.1
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Relation
James C. Fanning Cadet Letter Collection
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/530
Coverage
Charleston (S.C.)
Date Valid
Audience
Text
[Page 1]
10/13/49
Dear Daddy, Mother, and Sandy,
I am just waiting for one of the upperclassmen to come around to check my room, so I will write a line or so.
Yesterday was my worse [sic] day in the week - in classes that is. We have band practice every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-1. Yesterday we played a new march called “Gate City (Atlanta).” I had heard of it, but never heard it. It was written for the Gate City Guard in the early 1900’s. Made me a little homesick, I must admit.
Yesterday’s noon meal was really - (he just came in) - something to write home about. (Got to go to class now write later in the morning)
[Page 2]
Later:
It was really good. A T-bone steak that was so big you had to eat part of it to get anything else on the plate ¾ in. thick. One of the upperclassmen said they ought to take a picture of his and send it to the other schools in the South. Also we had all the beans and potatoes we could eat. I had too [sic] large helpings of each. Lettuce salad which I couldn’t eat. Three glasses of ice [sic] tea. Four biscuits. Two dishes of ice cream and cookies. Maybe you wonder why I eat so much. Well, I have been out for wrestling, inter-mural [sic], that is, for a week now. I couldn’t get hold of any weights for any length of time so I decided that I might go out for wrestling. I know lots of holds. I pretty shot after getting beat
[Page 3]
around, then running about a mile a day. It must be doing me good though for I feel better now that I am working out again. I will try hard to keep from breaking any bones. It just lasts for 1 quarter.
I got three letters yesterday. 2 from you and 1 from Mama. She wrote a very nice letter.
About the radio, that I wish you had mentioned sooner, write a check for ten. If you have any spare cash around could you add $2.50 to it for over shoes? It sure does get wet around here. We can cash checks here.
If you ever need to call me on the phone, phone The Citadel, Murray Barracks and ask for Cadet Fanning, J.C. When you ever decide to come up and come out to the school to see me always even if I know that you are going to come
[Page 4]
out, call the barracks first. It makes it easier for me to get out. On Saturday you can see me from 1:00 PM to 12:00. On weekdays I can get special leave from 4:00 to 7:30.
We are going to Charlotte on Thanksgiving day but I will write more about that later.
As I said some weeks ago, I was getting a coat from the tailor instead of the cadet. The tailor says that only coat that he has that will really fit me with no alteration - alterations, cost - cost $30. I am sending the check back. Advise please. If you have the money all right. If you don’t say so because the coat is not essential at least not now.
You can address me as Cadet if you want too. Doesn’t matter. Thanks for articles keep sending them, both kinds.
Lots of love,
Jimmy
10/13/49
Dear Daddy, Mother, and Sandy,
I am just waiting for one of the upperclassmen to come around to check my room, so I will write a line or so.
Yesterday was my worse [sic] day in the week - in classes that is. We have band practice every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-1. Yesterday we played a new march called “Gate City (Atlanta).” I had heard of it, but never heard it. It was written for the Gate City Guard in the early 1900’s. Made me a little homesick, I must admit.
Yesterday’s noon meal was really - (he just came in) - something to write home about. (Got to go to class now write later in the morning)
[Page 2]
Later:
It was really good. A T-bone steak that was so big you had to eat part of it to get anything else on the plate ¾ in. thick. One of the upperclassmen said they ought to take a picture of his and send it to the other schools in the South. Also we had all the beans and potatoes we could eat. I had too [sic] large helpings of each. Lettuce salad which I couldn’t eat. Three glasses of ice [sic] tea. Four biscuits. Two dishes of ice cream and cookies. Maybe you wonder why I eat so much. Well, I have been out for wrestling, inter-mural [sic], that is, for a week now. I couldn’t get hold of any weights for any length of time so I decided that I might go out for wrestling. I know lots of holds. I pretty shot after getting beat
[Page 3]
around, then running about a mile a day. It must be doing me good though for I feel better now that I am working out again. I will try hard to keep from breaking any bones. It just lasts for 1 quarter.
I got three letters yesterday. 2 from you and 1 from Mama. She wrote a very nice letter.
About the radio, that I wish you had mentioned sooner, write a check for ten. If you have any spare cash around could you add $2.50 to it for over shoes? It sure does get wet around here. We can cash checks here.
If you ever need to call me on the phone, phone The Citadel, Murray Barracks and ask for Cadet Fanning, J.C. When you ever decide to come up and come out to the school to see me always even if I know that you are going to come
[Page 4]
out, call the barracks first. It makes it easier for me to get out. On Saturday you can see me from 1:00 PM to 12:00. On weekdays I can get special leave from 4:00 to 7:30.
We are going to Charlotte on Thanksgiving day but I will write more about that later.
As I said some weeks ago, I was getting a coat from the tailor instead of the cadet. The tailor says that only coat that he has that will really fit me with no alteration - alterations, cost - cost $30. I am sending the check back. Advise please. If you have the money all right. If you don’t say so because the coat is not essential at least not now.
You can address me as Cadet if you want too. Doesn’t matter. Thanks for articles keep sending them, both kinds.
Lots of love,
Jimmy
Collection
Citation
Fanning, James C., “Letter from James C. Fanning to his family, October 13, 1949,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed April 24, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/530.