West Point June 25^th 1860

 

Cousin George

                        Being now in camp and having no particular employment I know of no better method of passing time than by writing writing to you hoping thereby in return to learn the condition of things at home and also to represent to you the deep gratitude I feel for the kind and wilful favor you have so generously confered upon me towards establing my future prosperity in enabling me to secure the appointment which is now ratified.

 

            I passed my examinations both mental and physical with the greatest ease. I was rather pleasantly surprised at the mental examination answering the few questions very promptly and correctly which rendered it less scrutinizing while those who those who answered less promptly were more more thoroughly examined and rigidly scrutinized. Some owed / their deficiency and rejection to more embarrassment but I never felt more calm and had greater selfpossession than when I appeared to be examined

 

            I am very much pleased indeed with West Point although I am required to have the greatest submission and endure the most fatiguing hardships to live on the coarsest fare and swallow the basest of insults yet I am perfectly delighted with the place and am resolutely determined to go throug if possible.

 

            It is indeed right difficult sometimes to bear the threats of the older Cadets but then the next moment to see the whole school of about two hundred and fifty drawn out upon parade and marching to the unrivaled music of the band drives every thing else to oblivion and impresses me with the greatest admiration The hops begin in a week or two and I anticipate a pleasant time however they are not the prettiest ladies around here I ever saw. /

 

            We have been in camp about a week and will remain until about the middle of August. I like camp life very much and have a fine time being dragged out of camp and rode on a rail nearly every night which makes me sleep the sounder and eat none the less.

 

            The political feeling is quite strong here and I stay in perfect hotbed of Abolitionists however I hope I wont sprout soon. I find more Bell men here than I expected but the prevalent opinion is that Lincoln will be elected since the Democracy have made two nominations but I have very little opinion about it and cannot give you any news about it

 

            Present my highest respects to all my old friends about M^t Sterling and if you see any one from home send my love to them all I would be very glad if you would write to me soon and give me all the news and as often as possible you shall hear from

 

Yours most affect       R G Howell

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