Letter from Robert Emmet Gribbin to his mother, October 23, 1903

Letter from Robert Emmet Gribbin to his mother, October 23, 1903

Robert Emmet Gribbin, 1887-1976, graduated from The Citadel in 1906. His collection in The Citadel Archives includes letters written to his mother and two sisters in Blackville, South Carolina during his first two years as a cadet. A selection of these letters have been digitized and transcribed for this website. The full collection can be viewed at The Citadel Archives in Charleston, South Carolina.

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Robert Emmet Gribbin Cadet Letters

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https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/860

Charleston (S.C.)

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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,

1. Emmet Gribbin

P.S. Remember me to Miss Miles & Norris also Mr. Sange & Co.

R.E.G.