West Point N. Y.

January 23^d 1863

 

My dear father

                        I know when you receive this letter, you will at once think that it is through some interested motive that it was written, since it is so seldom that I address one to you personally. And upon reading it you will find your opinion confirmed since I would like for you to send me about five dollars if you can conveniently spare it. Every thing has risen so from taxation that our pay is insufficient to support us. Our mess now takes nearly half of our entire pay. And as you know we keep checkbooks upon which we have to receive orders for every thing we get. on account of this / pecuniary embarrassment the authorities will not give us orders for things which are not absolutely indispensible. You need not hesitate to send it through fear of violating any regulation since money and other supplies are received by the Cadets in abundance As an evidence of the complete and effective system of swindling that they have at this place I will relate a single one. we were charged altogether for the "extras" on Christmas upwards of $1500. and by carefully reckoning it I find it could not by any possible means have cost over $500 and it is my sincere belief that it did not cost over $200 so you see there is a clear profit for some person or persons of $1000 or more. And this system is carried on through every department / but thank fortune I am more than half through the ordeal and in a year & four months if successful I will bid them an eternal farewell. You may know from what I have written that I was successful at my examination which took place last week. Our general standing is not made out at the examinations in January If it were I guess my place would be about 18^th or 19^th I believe I have but little news to give you, except that we have one or two cases of Typhoid Fever though the locality is so remarkably healthy that no fears are entertained concerning it. The political excitement is quite strong up this way, at present, the Democrats seem to be carrying the day in all of the Middle states. Lincolns proclamation has also caused a good deal of excitement and / is denounced in the bitterest terms by all the conservative mass. it is firmly believed that many of the states will resist any farther drafting until it is revoked, though the President seems to be so completely in the hands of the radicals, that I guess he will not revoke it, for some time at least. there have been several reports of mutiny in the army of the Potomac and I would not be at all surprised to hear them confirmed at any instant. there is a geat deal of dissatisfaction & division existing throughout the country on account of the proclamation & and also the enlistment of negroes. I intend however to send you some papers that you may yourself learn the state of the public mind in this section of the country.

 

Very affect. Your son

Rezin

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