Letter from Robert Emmet Gribbin to his sister Mary, October 13, 1902
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[Page 1]
S.C.M.A.
Oct 13, 1902
Dear Mary,
I received your letter yesterday just at church formation so I did not get to finish reading it before going to church (we went to Citadel Square). As to my hours: The first drum beats at 6.25 a.m. when we are supposed to wake up and be dressed by 6:30 a.m. also be down in the quadrangle (which I can do, an improvement eh!). The roll-call at 6:30 a.m. is called Reveille. We are dismissed and go to our rooms to put up cots, sweep out & empty slop to be ready for 7:00 a.m. inspection. At 7:15 a.m. we have to form for prayers, we have
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to have cuffs extra, shoes polished and clothes dusted. When we come from chapel we are marched into breakfast, after we are marched from breakfast we can go out on the green till 9:00 a.m. (study hall). Then I go to Capt Cantey for Montgomery’s English History until 10:00 o’clock. From 10-11 to “Cap” Coleman for Physiology, 12-1 to Maj. Mazyck for French every other day. 1-2 to Maj. Thomas for math. I have two vacant hours every other day and one vacant hour every day but they will be filled up later. The rest of the Course of Study will be taken up after Christmas.
2 o’clock is dinner, after dinner til 3 we can go out on the green. 3-4 is for study. 4-5 Drill. 5-5:45 is for amusement generally go out on the green. 5:45 - Retreat or
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pulling down flag.
Then we are marched into supper till 7 o’clock inspection when we study till 9:30. 9:30 Tattoo or the last Roll-call. Then we go up and go to sleep. 10 o’clock Taps or lights out. We are marched in and out to classes and the roll is called before each class. Also before each meal. Everyone sleeps on iron cots about 3x7. They have to be put up every night and took down every morning. The mattresses have a place to be put and sheets, pillows, quilts, etc. have to be piled nicely on top of press.
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I room with Bowman, Roy & Henry. I told Maurice what you wrote and he returned the same and also asked about her but inquired too if she was not engaged. I told him I knew she was but as to what was going on now I did not know. He said he might be up about Christmas. Tell Miss Daisy I return same also.
I had a nice and well appreciated letter from Professor today. Tell Jonah I was sorry he did not see one but we we only get out from after supper till 10:30 on Friday night, 12 o’clock to 5:45 on Saturdays and on Sundays 3 to 5:45 till we take all advantage now. Find out where Dunbar lives and what time of day he is generally there and I will be
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glad to hunt him up. Have you sent that book back to James? Tell Mamma Dr. Molony’s $1 worth was out on the night of the 28th last month. Keep me well posted on Maynard matter and thank Capt. Felder & Mr. Whittle for me for helping me out and please accept the same for yourself and hope I shall be able to return favors to all someday. I have not told anyone and have burnt all letters. I will close now hoping to hear from you all soon.
Your loving brother,
Emmet Gribbin
PS Have patience and try and read this scratch R.E.G.